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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Audiobook
What a great book. The first hour was kick in the face sad, but the rally was worth it
What a great book. The first hour was kick in the face sad, but the rally was worth it
His wife has died.
His mother has died.
Both are disconnected from each other by their mutual loss. Worse yet, neither are communicating with each other. And even more so, Will, the son, has chosen not to even talk. So how is Danny, the father, to connect to his son?
Believe it or not, we find a way.
When Danny loses his job, he tries his hand as a dancing panda (yes, you read that right) and intervenes in costume when Will is about to be pummeled (yes there is a bully storyline here, too).
His son starts opening up to him – not knowing he’s talking to his dad.
If you are looking for a feel good story, this is one of those books that will do it for you. There is just enough heartwarming to tug at you.
His mother has died.
Both are disconnected from each other by their mutual loss. Worse yet, neither are communicating with each other. And even more so, Will, the son, has chosen not to even talk. So how is Danny, the father, to connect to his son?
Believe it or not, we find a way.
When Danny loses his job, he tries his hand as a dancing panda (yes, you read that right) and intervenes in costume when Will is about to be pummeled (yes there is a bully storyline here, too).
His son starts opening up to him – not knowing he’s talking to his dad.
If you are looking for a feel good story, this is one of those books that will do it for you. There is just enough heartwarming to tug at you.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Engaging father-son story. Kind of like a Hallmark Christmas movie, but not taking place at Christmastime or a meet-cute chic-lit, but the main couple is a father and son. Danny and his son Will are having difficulty coming to terms with the loss of Liz (wife/mother) and trouble communicating. Danny becomes a dancing panda street performer to make an income. Will, not knowing the panda is his dad, starts telling him about his life, giving Danny an insight into his son's thoughts and ideas to improve their relationship. An eccentric cast of supporting characters add humor to this heartwarming story.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Car accident
BEST AUDIOBOOK LISTEN FOR MY 2021
I am so glad that I finally got around to James Gould-Bourn's "Bear Necessity". Rarely do you find a book that addresses loss with such sincere emotion. Using eclectic characters, storyline and hilarious dialogue, I couldn't help but enjoy. My husband was chuckling hearing me laugh out loud. Between Danny, Krystal and Ivan, the humor and sarcasm filled this jam-packed novel. It read like a movie in my head with such clarity and color (hint, hint all of you tied to the film industry).
The premise is Danny's 11 year old son Will was in a fatal car crash with his mother, leaving them alone to cope with the aftermath. Will has not spoken since, and Danny has lost his decade long construction job with little options and lots of bills to pay. Upon seeing street performers rake in the dough, Danny decides to give it a go as a dancing panda with little success. Here enters the hilarious Krystal, a wonderfully talented pole dancer who pulls all the punches. Her directness spoke to me and grounded the novel in what could have spiraled into a sad oblivion but instead pushed it through with laughter and hope.
I think I put this novel off because it sounded like too much from the description but Gould-Bourn made it flow beautifully. In to help with the audiobook was narrator Rupert Holliday-Evans (who could be my new favorite). His accents, inflections and rhythm were phenomenal, and I'm tough on narrators. I think he made me enjoy the experience even more. Go purchase this audiobook and if you can't, check it out from your local library. If they don't have it, please put in a request as you won't be disappointed. Too often we shy away from hard topics like the death of a spouse or mother but this father/son narrative was the perfect way to highlight that which so many of us have gone through. I seriously can't recommend this audiobook enough and wish it could be nominated for a top performance. Put 8 hours aside for this book that will take you by surprise and leave you thinking about it over and over again.
Thank you to Netgalley, James Gould-Bourne and Scribner for providing me an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. It was seriously my pleasure. FULL 5/5 for the audiobook!
I am so glad that I finally got around to James Gould-Bourn's "Bear Necessity". Rarely do you find a book that addresses loss with such sincere emotion. Using eclectic characters, storyline and hilarious dialogue, I couldn't help but enjoy. My husband was chuckling hearing me laugh out loud. Between Danny, Krystal and Ivan, the humor and sarcasm filled this jam-packed novel. It read like a movie in my head with such clarity and color (hint, hint all of you tied to the film industry).
The premise is Danny's 11 year old son Will was in a fatal car crash with his mother, leaving them alone to cope with the aftermath. Will has not spoken since, and Danny has lost his decade long construction job with little options and lots of bills to pay. Upon seeing street performers rake in the dough, Danny decides to give it a go as a dancing panda with little success. Here enters the hilarious Krystal, a wonderfully talented pole dancer who pulls all the punches. Her directness spoke to me and grounded the novel in what could have spiraled into a sad oblivion but instead pushed it through with laughter and hope.
I think I put this novel off because it sounded like too much from the description but Gould-Bourn made it flow beautifully. In to help with the audiobook was narrator Rupert Holliday-Evans (who could be my new favorite). His accents, inflections and rhythm were phenomenal, and I'm tough on narrators. I think he made me enjoy the experience even more. Go purchase this audiobook and if you can't, check it out from your local library. If they don't have it, please put in a request as you won't be disappointed. Too often we shy away from hard topics like the death of a spouse or mother but this father/son narrative was the perfect way to highlight that which so many of us have gone through. I seriously can't recommend this audiobook enough and wish it could be nominated for a top performance. Put 8 hours aside for this book that will take you by surprise and leave you thinking about it over and over again.
Thank you to Netgalley, James Gould-Bourne and Scribner for providing me an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. It was seriously my pleasure. FULL 5/5 for the audiobook!