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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Bear Necessity by James Gould-Bourn
Print Book
Pages: 320
Published: 8.4.2020
Scribner
Reviewed by mrsboone4, Green Forest, AR, USA
6.2.2020
Rating: 5 Stars
Bear Necessity is about Danny, a single father who has just lost his job and has a violent landlord who is threatening to do bodily harm to Danny for his unpaid rent. Danny has applied everywhere, but no one will hire him.
Danny has an 11 year old son Will who hasn't spoken for the year since Will's mother died in a car accident, a year ago. Danny has no idea how to reach his silent son.
Danny watches street performers in his local park and sees that they make loads of cash, by just acting stupid. Danny is sure that he can if not surpass their acts, at least make enough to support himself and Will.
Danny keeps the secret of losing his job, from Will. He happens upon a costume shop and applies for a job there, but the owner only wants to hire a woman. Later on, he comes back to the costume shop to see what kinds of costumes the owner has for a really cheap price. Turns out, a panda costume is what he gets. It's very cheap due to the fact that it was rented for a fraternity party and was vomited on and though it has been cleaned, it still holds the offensive odors. Danny is desperate and seizes the panda suit.
He finds out that putting on the costume alone, won't make him any money. Other performers take pity on him and suggest he get a sidekick like a cat or do an act. The problem is Danny can't do much of anything. His old job was in construction. He has no rhythm and can't dance. He does get a few pennies, but then neighborhood kids run up and kick him in the shins and runaway with all of his loot. He finds that he has to get smarter about his program. He glues the teaser pennies into his lunchbox, where he will accept donations.
One day, he happens upon his son getting beat up by some local toughs and saves his son and the boy says "Thanks!" Danny is ecstatic! Now, he knows that his son can talk he wants to keep him talking. He starts leaving some free time for just sitting in the park. His son swings by regularly to talk to him. Danny doesn't actually speak to him, he writes down his responses in a small notebook and has Will read that. Will has no idea that it is his very own father who is hiding in the panda suit.
Danny is harassed by a pole dancer named Krystal. He decides to go to the bar where she dances and see if she will teach him a few lessons on dancing. His wife had a wonderful inner balance and could dance to anything or nothing and looked very beautiful while doing it. Unfortunately, none of his wife's dancing moves rubbed off on Danny and he most certainly can't fake dancing.
This is a very original story, easy to read and pulls at your heartstrings. Many thanks to Scribner for the opportunity to read this book.
Print Book
Pages: 320
Published: 8.4.2020
Scribner
Reviewed by mrsboone4, Green Forest, AR, USA
6.2.2020
Rating: 5 Stars
Bear Necessity is about Danny, a single father who has just lost his job and has a violent landlord who is threatening to do bodily harm to Danny for his unpaid rent. Danny has applied everywhere, but no one will hire him.
Danny has an 11 year old son Will who hasn't spoken for the year since Will's mother died in a car accident, a year ago. Danny has no idea how to reach his silent son.
Danny watches street performers in his local park and sees that they make loads of cash, by just acting stupid. Danny is sure that he can if not surpass their acts, at least make enough to support himself and Will.
Danny keeps the secret of losing his job, from Will. He happens upon a costume shop and applies for a job there, but the owner only wants to hire a woman. Later on, he comes back to the costume shop to see what kinds of costumes the owner has for a really cheap price. Turns out, a panda costume is what he gets. It's very cheap due to the fact that it was rented for a fraternity party and was vomited on and though it has been cleaned, it still holds the offensive odors. Danny is desperate and seizes the panda suit.
He finds out that putting on the costume alone, won't make him any money. Other performers take pity on him and suggest he get a sidekick like a cat or do an act. The problem is Danny can't do much of anything. His old job was in construction. He has no rhythm and can't dance. He does get a few pennies, but then neighborhood kids run up and kick him in the shins and runaway with all of his loot. He finds that he has to get smarter about his program. He glues the teaser pennies into his lunchbox, where he will accept donations.
One day, he happens upon his son getting beat up by some local toughs and saves his son and the boy says "Thanks!" Danny is ecstatic! Now, he knows that his son can talk he wants to keep him talking. He starts leaving some free time for just sitting in the park. His son swings by regularly to talk to him. Danny doesn't actually speak to him, he writes down his responses in a small notebook and has Will read that. Will has no idea that it is his very own father who is hiding in the panda suit.
Danny is harassed by a pole dancer named Krystal. He decides to go to the bar where she dances and see if she will teach him a few lessons on dancing. His wife had a wonderful inner balance and could dance to anything or nothing and looked very beautiful while doing it. Unfortunately, none of his wife's dancing moves rubbed off on Danny and he most certainly can't fake dancing.
This is a very original story, easy to read and pulls at your heartstrings. Many thanks to Scribner for the opportunity to read this book.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great one liners (5/9?)
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don’t usually go for these kinds of books but it ended up being so so good. The characters were all unique and super well-developed. The author did a really nice job weaving in their storylines and quirks to make it very cohesive. The book was overall very funny without it being forced but also incredibly heartwarming. Highly highly recommend!
For anyone looking for something similar, read Less by Andrew Sean Greer.
For anyone looking for something similar, read Less by Andrew Sean Greer.
Danny is down on his luck. A year ago, he had lost his wife in a car accident. His eleven-year-old son, Will, was in the car at the time and has not said anything since. Feeling alone and unable to move on, Danny does his best to make ends meet. When Danny is suddenly fired from his job and unable to find work elsewhere, in an act of desperation, Danny does the unthinkable. He buys an old panda costume and decides to become a street performer.
One day, Danny (while in costume) sees Will being bullied by a group of boys. Without thinking, Danny saves Will and sends the bullies away. To Danny’s surprise, Will starts talking to him and opening up to him about his mother’s death. But will he stop talking once he knows that Danny is inside the panda costume?
Bear Necessity is an adorable story about moving on and making the best of life. I really enjoyed the book, but it was so very cliché, I was able to predict with ease what would happen next. The ending was hardly a surprise as well. Bear Necessity reminded me of a movie you would see at the movie theatre, and a week later forget what the title of the movie was. All you can remember is that you went to see a cute movie.
I was initially drawn to this book because I thought it was mostly going to be about conversations between a father and son while the father was in a panda costume. Instead, the story didn’t really focus too much on the conversations between Danny (in costume) and Will. I wish there would’ve been a bit more development in that regard.
I would recommend Bear Necessity to those who are looking for a nice light read.
*I received an advanced reader’s copy of Bear Necessity by James Gould-Bourn from Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
One day, Danny (while in costume) sees Will being bullied by a group of boys. Without thinking, Danny saves Will and sends the bullies away. To Danny’s surprise, Will starts talking to him and opening up to him about his mother’s death. But will he stop talking once he knows that Danny is inside the panda costume?
Bear Necessity is an adorable story about moving on and making the best of life. I really enjoyed the book, but it was so very cliché, I was able to predict with ease what would happen next. The ending was hardly a surprise as well. Bear Necessity reminded me of a movie you would see at the movie theatre, and a week later forget what the title of the movie was. All you can remember is that you went to see a cute movie.
I was initially drawn to this book because I thought it was mostly going to be about conversations between a father and son while the father was in a panda costume. Instead, the story didn’t really focus too much on the conversations between Danny (in costume) and Will. I wish there would’ve been a bit more development in that regard.
I would recommend Bear Necessity to those who are looking for a nice light read.
*I received an advanced reader’s copy of Bear Necessity by James Gould-Bourn from Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*