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Bob The Cat #2
Bob'un Dünyası
Sokak Kedisi Bob'un macerası devam ediyor!
"Bob'la tanışmadan önce dünya gözüme haşin, kalpsiz ve evet, umutsuz bir yer gibi görünürdü. Onun gözlerinden görmeyi öğrendiğim dünyaysa bambaşka bir yer. Bir zamanlar bir günü diğerinden ayıramazdım. Oysa şimdi her birini neşeyle karşılıyorum. Hayatımda hiç olmadığım kadar mutlu, sağlıklı ve başarılıyım."
Sokak Kedisi Bob ile James Bowen'ın tanışma hikâyesini okuduğumuz ilk kitapta yazar, hayata yeniden tutunmanın yollarını arıyordu. Yeni arkadaşı Bob ise, en yakın dostuna sadakat, güven ve mutluluktan geçen yolları gösteriyordu.
Bob'un Dünyası'nda, birbirlerinin koruyucu meleği olan bu iki dost yine yan yana ve en tehlikeli zamanlarda bile hayatın zorluklarına göğüs germeyi başarıyorlar.
Tıpkı Sokak Kedisi Bob'da olduğu gibi, Bob'un Dünyası'nda da gözyaşlarınızı tutamayacaksınız! Unutmayın; bu sayfalarda anlatılanlar gerçek!
"Bob'la tanışmadan önce dünya gözüme haşin, kalpsiz ve evet, umutsuz bir yer gibi görünürdü. Onun gözlerinden görmeyi öğrendiğim dünyaysa bambaşka bir yer. Bir zamanlar bir günü diğerinden ayıramazdım. Oysa şimdi her birini neşeyle karşılıyorum. Hayatımda hiç olmadığım kadar mutlu, sağlıklı ve başarılıyım."
Sokak Kedisi Bob ile James Bowen'ın tanışma hikâyesini okuduğumuz ilk kitapta yazar, hayata yeniden tutunmanın yollarını arıyordu. Yeni arkadaşı Bob ise, en yakın dostuna sadakat, güven ve mutluluktan geçen yolları gösteriyordu.
Bob'un Dünyası'nda, birbirlerinin koruyucu meleği olan bu iki dost yine yan yana ve en tehlikeli zamanlarda bile hayatın zorluklarına göğüs germeyi başarıyorlar.
Tıpkı Sokak Kedisi Bob'da olduğu gibi, Bob'un Dünyası'nda da gözyaşlarınızı tutamayacaksınız! Unutmayın; bu sayfalarda anlatılanlar gerçek!
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2015
513 people are currently reading
6221 people want to read
About the author
James Bowen
66 books1,061 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
James Bowen is an author and musician currently based in London. He is author of A Street Cat Named Bob, which tells his life story.
James Bowen was born in Surrey in 1979. Following his parents’ divorce, he moved to Australia with his mother and stepfather. Home life was tense and, because the family moved frequently, James was unsettled at school. He was frequently bullied, and began sniffing glue while still in education, becoming a self-confessed “tearaway kid” who would later be diagnosed with ADHD, schizophrenia and manic depression. In 1997 he returned to the UK and lived with his half-sister, but this arrangement did not last; in time, he became homeless and began sleeping on the streets. From this point, James spent almost 10 years either sleeping rough or staying briefly in charity-run shelters; it was during this time that he began to use heroin in an attempt to escape the realities of homelessness.
In Spring 2007, James was enrolled on a methadone programme, busking in Covent Garden, and living in sheltered accommodation in Tottenham. One evening he returned home to find a ginger cat in the hallway of his building; assuming it belonged to another resident, he simply returned to his flat. When the cat was still there the following day, and the day after that, James became concerned and discovered the cat was wearing no collar or ID tag, and had an infected wound on his leg. James checked with other residents to see if the stray belonged to any of them, and when none of them claimed ownership of the animal James decided to help the cat himself.
He took the cat to a nearby veterinary surgery run by an animal charity, which provided antibiotics to treat the infected wound. In order to make sure he received the full two-week course of medication, James decided to take him in for a time while he continued to look for the stray’s owner. When he couldn’t find any information, he released the cat back on to the street, hoping he’d find his own way home. Instead, he began to follow James around, even following him onto the bus when he left to go busking. Concerned that the cat had nowhere else to go, James took him in on a permanent basis, naming him Bob after a character from the television drama Twin Peaks.[3]
Since Bob seemed keen to accompany James to work, he constructed a harness from shoelaces and began to bring him along to his regular spots in Covent Garden and Piccadilly, travelling in the window seat of the number 73 bus. The public reaction was positive and the pair became popular, their visibility increasing still further when James began selling the Big Issue. Soon the public began uploading videos of James and Bob to YouTube, and tourists from across the world would visit Covent Garden to see them. During this time, James decided to withdraw the methadone treatment; he credits his success to Bob, saying “I believe it came down to this little man. He came and asked me for help, and he needed me more than I needed to abuse my own body. He is what I wake up for every day now... he’s definitely given me the right direction to live my life.”
In time, James and Bob’s public appearances attracted the attention of Mary Pachnos, the literary agent responsible for the UK rights to John Grogan’s Marley and Me, who secured the pair a book deal with the publishers Hodder & Stoughton after she heard their story. The book was co-written by Garry Jenkins, and since its publication has sold over 250,000 copies, been translated into 22 languages and spent over 45 weeks at the top of the Sunday Times’ bestseller list in both its hardback and paperback format.
As of November 2012, two further books were at the planning stage - a follow-up to A Street Cat Named Bob, and a version of the book for children.
James Bowen is an author and musician currently based in London. He is author of A Street Cat Named Bob, which tells his life story.
James Bowen was born in Surrey in 1979. Following his parents’ divorce, he moved to Australia with his mother and stepfather. Home life was tense and, because the family moved frequently, James was unsettled at school. He was frequently bullied, and began sniffing glue while still in education, becoming a self-confessed “tearaway kid” who would later be diagnosed with ADHD, schizophrenia and manic depression. In 1997 he returned to the UK and lived with his half-sister, but this arrangement did not last; in time, he became homeless and began sleeping on the streets. From this point, James spent almost 10 years either sleeping rough or staying briefly in charity-run shelters; it was during this time that he began to use heroin in an attempt to escape the realities of homelessness.
In Spring 2007, James was enrolled on a methadone programme, busking in Covent Garden, and living in sheltered accommodation in Tottenham. One evening he returned home to find a ginger cat in the hallway of his building; assuming it belonged to another resident, he simply returned to his flat. When the cat was still there the following day, and the day after that, James became concerned and discovered the cat was wearing no collar or ID tag, and had an infected wound on his leg. James checked with other residents to see if the stray belonged to any of them, and when none of them claimed ownership of the animal James decided to help the cat himself.
He took the cat to a nearby veterinary surgery run by an animal charity, which provided antibiotics to treat the infected wound. In order to make sure he received the full two-week course of medication, James decided to take him in for a time while he continued to look for the stray’s owner. When he couldn’t find any information, he released the cat back on to the street, hoping he’d find his own way home. Instead, he began to follow James around, even following him onto the bus when he left to go busking. Concerned that the cat had nowhere else to go, James took him in on a permanent basis, naming him Bob after a character from the television drama Twin Peaks.[3]
Since Bob seemed keen to accompany James to work, he constructed a harness from shoelaces and began to bring him along to his regular spots in Covent Garden and Piccadilly, travelling in the window seat of the number 73 bus. The public reaction was positive and the pair became popular, their visibility increasing still further when James began selling the Big Issue. Soon the public began uploading videos of James and Bob to YouTube, and tourists from across the world would visit Covent Garden to see them. During this time, James decided to withdraw the methadone treatment; he credits his success to Bob, saying “I believe it came down to this little man. He came and asked me for help, and he needed me more than I needed to abuse my own body. He is what I wake up for every day now... he’s definitely given me the right direction to live my life.”
In time, James and Bob’s public appearances attracted the attention of Mary Pachnos, the literary agent responsible for the UK rights to John Grogan’s Marley and Me, who secured the pair a book deal with the publishers Hodder & Stoughton after she heard their story. The book was co-written by Garry Jenkins, and since its publication has sold over 250,000 copies, been translated into 22 languages and spent over 45 weeks at the top of the Sunday Times’ bestseller list in both its hardback and paperback format.
As of November 2012, two further books were at the planning stage - a follow-up to A Street Cat Named Bob, and a version of the book for children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,090 reviews
July 14, 2013
I found this book utterly inspiring. I read it with a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat, on the day I got it. I simply had to finish it before I went to sleep.
The book follows on from 'A street cat named Bob', and continues the story about James' life with the cat who just refused to leave James' side. The book is harrowing at times and gives a real insight into life 'on the streets' and the survival of some of society's most vulnerable people.
There are smiles too and Bob is, of course, adorable. Nevertheless, James is an absolute inspiration. He makes no effort to hide the fact that this book is 'ghost' written, but his story again moved me to tears.
The book follows on from 'A street cat named Bob', and continues the story about James' life with the cat who just refused to leave James' side. The book is harrowing at times and gives a real insight into life 'on the streets' and the survival of some of society's most vulnerable people.
There are smiles too and Bob is, of course, adorable. Nevertheless, James is an absolute inspiration. He makes no effort to hide the fact that this book is 'ghost' written, but his story again moved me to tears.
March 29, 2014
Tell me, who can resist this ginger cat wearing a scarf? I know I can't! I actually bought this book a few months ago and forgot that I had, it somehow got mixed in with a pile of already read books in my book room. Yeah, yeah, I have a whole room in my house just for books, with shelves lining the walls and back to back in the middle of the room. Things get lost in there, even with most of it being in alphabetical order!
I'm glad this book didn't stay hidden for too long. I really don't get much reading time during this cycle of work, often I just drag myself home, sleep, then get up and get ready to do it sll over again. Even if I was snatching just s chapter before my eyes closed, I was lucky. Still, I had this afternoon off, so I cleaned the house (can't read in a dirty house) and settled in.
What I found was the same love I discovered in the first book. I still can't understand how anyone can think this guy doesn't care for his cat; he checks him over, plays with him, and most importantly, he loves him. As James says, no cat does what it doesn't want to do, it's against their nature. Bob seems like one loved and spoiled kitty to me ;)
I enjoyed the writing very much. This book isn't just about Bob, but James too and their relationship. There are some hard hitting issues here, especially when that man collapses in James' apartment building. This isn't a story of rainbows and butterflies, but of true struggle and human emotion.
My only wish was that the book had more pictures of Bob in scarves. Other than that, go out and snag yourself a copy of this book or the first, you won't be disappointed!
I'm glad this book didn't stay hidden for too long. I really don't get much reading time during this cycle of work, often I just drag myself home, sleep, then get up and get ready to do it sll over again. Even if I was snatching just s chapter before my eyes closed, I was lucky. Still, I had this afternoon off, so I cleaned the house (can't read in a dirty house) and settled in.
What I found was the same love I discovered in the first book. I still can't understand how anyone can think this guy doesn't care for his cat; he checks him over, plays with him, and most importantly, he loves him. As James says, no cat does what it doesn't want to do, it's against their nature. Bob seems like one loved and spoiled kitty to me ;)
I enjoyed the writing very much. This book isn't just about Bob, but James too and their relationship. There are some hard hitting issues here, especially when that man collapses in James' apartment building. This isn't a story of rainbows and butterflies, but of true struggle and human emotion.
My only wish was that the book had more pictures of Bob in scarves. Other than that, go out and snag yourself a copy of this book or the first, you won't be disappointed!
August 14, 2016
18 chapters + epilogue, and illustrations :)
It was such an amazing book just like the A Street Cat Named Bob . I hope James writes a third book.
You don't have to read the first book to understand what is going on in this one.
In 2007, James was a recovering heroin addict when he found an injured tom cat. Noticing that the cat is without an owner he took him home and nursed him back to health. Since then James and Bob the cat are the best friends.
In his second book James tells about his experience working on the streets in London and how he and Bob meets nice and not so nice people, having fun together and caring for each other. And what I like from this book, is that James not only shares the good (Bob) in his life with the readers but also writes about the bad (ex-drug addict, physical & mental health, homelessness issues).
James, of course, also tells how he was approached by Ms Pachnos, an literary agent. It was interesting what was going on when he (and Bob) wrote A Street Cat Named Bob
It was such an amazing book just like the A Street Cat Named Bob . I hope James writes a third book.
You don't have to read the first book to understand what is going on in this one.
In 2007, James was a recovering heroin addict when he found an injured tom cat. Noticing that the cat is without an owner he took him home and nursed him back to health. Since then James and Bob the cat are the best friends.
In his second book James tells about his experience working on the streets in London and how he and Bob meets nice and not so nice people, having fun together and caring for each other. And what I like from this book, is that James not only shares the good (Bob) in his life with the readers but also writes about the bad (ex-drug addict, physical & mental health, homelessness issues).
James, of course, also tells how he was approached by Ms Pachnos, an literary agent. It was interesting what was going on when he (and Bob) wrote A Street Cat Named Bob
March 25, 2019
Fantastic! No matter who you are, everyone can
enjoy the story about James and Bob!
As I sit here reading this book about Bob the cat, one of my cats, Duncan, sits on the bottom of my recliner happily purring while I scratch his back with my toes.
Even other cats love James and Bob! And why not!
After becoming a parent to Bob in the previous book, A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets, James now realizes that, 'Parenthood is all about anxiety whether it is fretting over his health, watching out for him when we are on the streets, and simply making sure he is warm and well-fed. 'Parenthood also brings with it a lot of laughter.' There are many, many moments of never a dull moment!
Hilarious and touching, it also has some serious hair raising moments, too! I'm saving the next in this series, A Gift from Bob: How a Street Cat Helped One Man Learn the Meaning of Christmas, to read this Christmas season!
I absolutely love James and Bob!
enjoy the story about James and Bob!
As I sit here reading this book about Bob the cat, one of my cats, Duncan, sits on the bottom of my recliner happily purring while I scratch his back with my toes.
Even other cats love James and Bob! And why not!
After becoming a parent to Bob in the previous book, A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets, James now realizes that, 'Parenthood is all about anxiety whether it is fretting over his health, watching out for him when we are on the streets, and simply making sure he is warm and well-fed. 'Parenthood also brings with it a lot of laughter.' There are many, many moments of never a dull moment!
Hilarious and touching, it also has some serious hair raising moments, too! I'm saving the next in this series, A Gift from Bob: How a Street Cat Helped One Man Learn the Meaning of Christmas, to read this Christmas season!
I absolutely love James and Bob!
December 31, 2022
7,5/10
Libro devorado en apenas un día y eso que no está muy bien escrito y que la historia se vuelve algo repetitiva.
A su favor tiene ya lo comentado en el libro anterior. La relación entre Bob y James, el modo en que la vida de ambos cambió para mejor, y en este caso se no vas mostrando la época en la que se le plantea a James escribir un libro y las vicisitudes que le plantea esta situación. El libro está narrado en muchos momentos con un tono bastante desenfadado, lo que ayuda a empatizar con la historia y a que leas páginas y páginas sin darte cuenta. Si te gustan los animales, el mensaje de la historia cala y profundo.
En su contra, podría decir que es más de lo mismo que el anterior y que hay momentos que la historia parece que no avance. Algunas de las anécdotas o hechos acaecidos son interesantes e incluso divertidos, otros son algo tediosos. Pero tampoco es que sea nada grave.
Resumiendo, si te gustó el primero, este seguro te seguirá gustando. El mensaje que nos envía esta historia es algo bonito y que pone en valor la aportación a nuestra salud, tanto física como mental, que nuestras mascotas nos ofrecen. Aunque haya gente todavía que no sea consciente, este tipo de relaciones es una simbiosis que beneficia por igual a ambas partes, e incluso la mayoría de veces son los animales los que ofrecen más de lo que reciben.
Imprescindible si te gustan los gatos, y muy recomendable si te gustan los animales en general.
Libro devorado en apenas un día y eso que no está muy bien escrito y que la historia se vuelve algo repetitiva.
A su favor tiene ya lo comentado en el libro anterior. La relación entre Bob y James, el modo en que la vida de ambos cambió para mejor, y en este caso se no vas mostrando la época en la que se le plantea a James escribir un libro y las vicisitudes que le plantea esta situación. El libro está narrado en muchos momentos con un tono bastante desenfadado, lo que ayuda a empatizar con la historia y a que leas páginas y páginas sin darte cuenta. Si te gustan los animales, el mensaje de la historia cala y profundo.
En su contra, podría decir que es más de lo mismo que el anterior y que hay momentos que la historia parece que no avance. Algunas de las anécdotas o hechos acaecidos son interesantes e incluso divertidos, otros son algo tediosos. Pero tampoco es que sea nada grave.
Resumiendo, si te gustó el primero, este seguro te seguirá gustando. El mensaje que nos envía esta historia es algo bonito y que pone en valor la aportación a nuestra salud, tanto física como mental, que nuestras mascotas nos ofrecen. Aunque haya gente todavía que no sea consciente, este tipo de relaciones es una simbiosis que beneficia por igual a ambas partes, e incluso la mayoría de veces son los animales los que ofrecen más de lo que reciben.
Imprescindible si te gustan los gatos, y muy recomendable si te gustan los animales en general.
October 31, 2013
This follow-up to the bestselling 'A Street Cat Named Bob' is slower to get going, but is highly enjoyable nonetheless.
Whereas the original Bob book was captivating from the off - not least because it showed how Bob was a most unusual cat (getting on the bus with James and so on) - here the observations are more mundane, detailing Bob behaving in ways that many cats do. The recognition is pleasing, but little more, and for the first third of the book I feared this was going to prove a disappointing follow-up, especially because, as before, I found the writing style clunky and the editing poor. I don't hold James responsible for this - the book is ghost written (James tells us as much himself, in the appendix) - but surely, after all the success of the first book, his publishers could have invested in a professional copy editor to cut the repetitions in this second tome?
However, as I read on, again I found myself compelled to put my niggles about style to one side, as I became increasingly drawn into the story of James and his feline friend, and at the end I closed the book with a sense of satisfaction and pleasure. As well as showing how easy it is for people to slip through the net and end up on the streets in the first place, what struck me particularly was the sense this second book gave of James as a character - in spite of a tough childhood, he doesn't descend into blame and recrimination, but takes responsibility for his shortcomings, including his past heroine addiction. Thus what might on the surface seem a simple story about one man and his cat is actually rather more than that, providing an uplifting example of how it's possible to turn one's life around if one has the right mindset. James' emotional maturity is inspiring - and is, I'd venture to suggest, one of the reasons the books have touched so many people around the world - it's not just Bob we're fans of, but James too.
Whereas the original Bob book was captivating from the off - not least because it showed how Bob was a most unusual cat (getting on the bus with James and so on) - here the observations are more mundane, detailing Bob behaving in ways that many cats do. The recognition is pleasing, but little more, and for the first third of the book I feared this was going to prove a disappointing follow-up, especially because, as before, I found the writing style clunky and the editing poor. I don't hold James responsible for this - the book is ghost written (James tells us as much himself, in the appendix) - but surely, after all the success of the first book, his publishers could have invested in a professional copy editor to cut the repetitions in this second tome?
However, as I read on, again I found myself compelled to put my niggles about style to one side, as I became increasingly drawn into the story of James and his feline friend, and at the end I closed the book with a sense of satisfaction and pleasure. As well as showing how easy it is for people to slip through the net and end up on the streets in the first place, what struck me particularly was the sense this second book gave of James as a character - in spite of a tough childhood, he doesn't descend into blame and recrimination, but takes responsibility for his shortcomings, including his past heroine addiction. Thus what might on the surface seem a simple story about one man and his cat is actually rather more than that, providing an uplifting example of how it's possible to turn one's life around if one has the right mindset. James' emotional maturity is inspiring - and is, I'd venture to suggest, one of the reasons the books have touched so many people around the world - it's not just Bob we're fans of, but James too.
January 13, 2022
Много любима и до ден днешен! Топла история, с поука за живота и как едно малко топчесто нещо може да го промени напълно и за добро.
История за надежда!
История за надежда!
February 11, 2017
Wat een leuk boek, en bob blijft toch een plek in mijn hartje houden!
August 22, 2017
O carte drăguţă! Recomand!
June 7, 2021
I actually would like to re-read part 1 at some point as I read that like 6 years ago and I'm not sure why I gave it 3 stars back then.. Bob was such an amazing cat!
January 2, 2017
Nakon golemog uspjeha prve knjige o Bobu, njegov je prijatelj James odlučio napisati nam i nastavak njihove zajedničke priče.
James i Bob jedan su drugoga našli u ključnom trenutku svojih života i jedan su drugome pomogli da, sada zajednički, taj život okrenu u pravom smjeru. Nakon odluke da se u potpunosti očisti od svoje ovisnosti o drogama i da prestane živjeti na ulici, Jamesu je, uz Bobovu pomoć, to konačno i uspjelo. Kao ulični prodavač časopisa za beskućnike, James uspijeva osigurati dovoljna sredstva da on i Bob (relativno dobro) prežive iz mjeseca u mjesec, ali rad na ulici svejedno svakodnevno sa sobom nosi i brojne potencijalne opasnosti. Sve više shvaćajući da ne mogu cijeli život provesti radeći na ulici, James očajnički traži nešto, neku priliku, koja bi mu pomogla da se i on i Bob oslobode stalne strepnje i nesigurnosti ovakvog života, a ta mu se prilika naposlijetku i pokaže - u obliku ponude za pisanje knjige.
'Svijet prema Bobu' sjajan je nastavak 'Fantastičnog mačka Boba' - knjige o simpatičnom mačku koja je osvojila svijet. U njoj nam James priča o nastavku svog zajedničkog života s Bobom, njegovom dijelu od trenutka u kojem je James uspio preokrenuti svoj život (a s kojim prva knjiga završava) do cijele te priče o tome kako je knjiga, a i sama ideja o knjizi, uopće nastala.
Pričajući o Bobu i o sebi, James je još jednom brutalno iskren - i u toj svojoj iskrenosti nevjerojatno hrabar. Sumnjam da bi mnogi od nas bez zadrške uspjeli govoriti (makar i pisati) o demonima iz svoje prošlosti, svojim strahovima, sumnjama i nesigurnostima, kao što to čini James. On u više navrata priznaje kako mu potpuno ogoljivanje samog sebe na ovaj način nije nimalo lako, te kako iskreno sumnja u to da će itko uopće htjeti čitati ono što on napiše. Mislim da je upravo u tome i posebna čar ove knjige, tj. obje knjige: to što se jasno vidi koliko je cijela priča u njoj ispričana iskrena i pisana iz srca.
Neki će reći da je financijska korist jedini razlog zbog kojeg je James nastavio pisati knjige o Bobu, a i na to se - iskorištavanju Boba za koje ga neki optužuju - James osvrnuo. U jednom dijelu knjige priča o tome kako ga je, u početku, strašno ljutilo i rastuživalo to što su ga neki ljudi gledali kao na osobu koja iskorištava mačka kako bi se njime financijski okoristio, no kasnije se pomirio s time da će uvijek biti zlobnih i zlonamjernih ljudi, koji nikada neće shvatiti da Jamesu Bob nije samo mačak, samo ljubimac, već i najbolji prijatelj i životni suputnik.
I ovdje se James dotiče svojih problema s ovisnošću, svoje loše životne situacije i općenito problematičnog života kojim je živio prije Boba. Ono što je super oko svega toga je to što on time podiže svijest o problemima s kojima se suočavaju beskućnici i bivši ovisnici, ali i o problemu društva koje na njih gleda kao na nekakve kriminalce, dok su to većinom samo ljudi u nevolji. James i Bob svojim su knjigama i svojim javnim nastupima uspjeli čak postići da se, koliko god malo, ta negativna slika javnosti koju većina ima o beskućnicima ipak počne mijenjati.
Jedna mi se stvar posebno svidjela kod Jamesa: iz njegovog pisanja i načina na koji govori o svom i Bobovom životu vidljiva je njegova skromnost, njegova zahvalnost i ljubav prema Bobu i njegova namjera da sve ono dobro što mu se dogodilo na neki način vrati - što je upravo ono što on i Bob danas i čine, potpomažući različite udruge za beskućnike i udruge za brigu o životinjama.
James i Bob više nisu beskućnici, niti više rade na ulici. Ova knjiga, kao i ona prije nje, omogućili su im da do kraja promijene svoj život nabolje. A utjecaj koji te knjige imaju na čitatelje i javnost općenito omogućit će (zapravo već omogućuju) još pozitivnih promjena u svijetu, vezanih uz brigu i skrb za napuštene životinje, beskućnike, bivše ovisnike i općenito ljude (i životinje) u nevolji.
Ako još niste pročitali 'Fantastičnog mačka Boba', obavezno to napravite. Obje ove knjige čine jednu fantastičnu toplu ljudsku (i životinjsku :)) priču, koju jednostavno ne smijete zaobići. Bob je (a i James), svojim osobitim šarmom, uspio osvojiti srca ljudi širom svijeta - dopustite mu da osvoji i vaše.
James i Bob jedan su drugoga našli u ključnom trenutku svojih života i jedan su drugome pomogli da, sada zajednički, taj život okrenu u pravom smjeru. Nakon odluke da se u potpunosti očisti od svoje ovisnosti o drogama i da prestane živjeti na ulici, Jamesu je, uz Bobovu pomoć, to konačno i uspjelo. Kao ulični prodavač časopisa za beskućnike, James uspijeva osigurati dovoljna sredstva da on i Bob (relativno dobro) prežive iz mjeseca u mjesec, ali rad na ulici svejedno svakodnevno sa sobom nosi i brojne potencijalne opasnosti. Sve više shvaćajući da ne mogu cijeli život provesti radeći na ulici, James očajnički traži nešto, neku priliku, koja bi mu pomogla da se i on i Bob oslobode stalne strepnje i nesigurnosti ovakvog života, a ta mu se prilika naposlijetku i pokaže - u obliku ponude za pisanje knjige.
'Svijet prema Bobu' sjajan je nastavak 'Fantastičnog mačka Boba' - knjige o simpatičnom mačku koja je osvojila svijet. U njoj nam James priča o nastavku svog zajedničkog života s Bobom, njegovom dijelu od trenutka u kojem je James uspio preokrenuti svoj život (a s kojim prva knjiga završava) do cijele te priče o tome kako je knjiga, a i sama ideja o knjizi, uopće nastala.
Pričajući o Bobu i o sebi, James je još jednom brutalno iskren - i u toj svojoj iskrenosti nevjerojatno hrabar. Sumnjam da bi mnogi od nas bez zadrške uspjeli govoriti (makar i pisati) o demonima iz svoje prošlosti, svojim strahovima, sumnjama i nesigurnostima, kao što to čini James. On u više navrata priznaje kako mu potpuno ogoljivanje samog sebe na ovaj način nije nimalo lako, te kako iskreno sumnja u to da će itko uopće htjeti čitati ono što on napiše. Mislim da je upravo u tome i posebna čar ove knjige, tj. obje knjige: to što se jasno vidi koliko je cijela priča u njoj ispričana iskrena i pisana iz srca.
Neki će reći da je financijska korist jedini razlog zbog kojeg je James nastavio pisati knjige o Bobu, a i na to se - iskorištavanju Boba za koje ga neki optužuju - James osvrnuo. U jednom dijelu knjige priča o tome kako ga je, u početku, strašno ljutilo i rastuživalo to što su ga neki ljudi gledali kao na osobu koja iskorištava mačka kako bi se njime financijski okoristio, no kasnije se pomirio s time da će uvijek biti zlobnih i zlonamjernih ljudi, koji nikada neće shvatiti da Jamesu Bob nije samo mačak, samo ljubimac, već i najbolji prijatelj i životni suputnik.
I ovdje se James dotiče svojih problema s ovisnošću, svoje loše životne situacije i općenito problematičnog života kojim je živio prije Boba. Ono što je super oko svega toga je to što on time podiže svijest o problemima s kojima se suočavaju beskućnici i bivši ovisnici, ali i o problemu društva koje na njih gleda kao na nekakve kriminalce, dok su to većinom samo ljudi u nevolji. James i Bob svojim su knjigama i svojim javnim nastupima uspjeli čak postići da se, koliko god malo, ta negativna slika javnosti koju većina ima o beskućnicima ipak počne mijenjati.
Jedna mi se stvar posebno svidjela kod Jamesa: iz njegovog pisanja i načina na koji govori o svom i Bobovom životu vidljiva je njegova skromnost, njegova zahvalnost i ljubav prema Bobu i njegova namjera da sve ono dobro što mu se dogodilo na neki način vrati - što je upravo ono što on i Bob danas i čine, potpomažući različite udruge za beskućnike i udruge za brigu o životinjama.
James i Bob više nisu beskućnici, niti više rade na ulici. Ova knjiga, kao i ona prije nje, omogućili su im da do kraja promijene svoj život nabolje. A utjecaj koji te knjige imaju na čitatelje i javnost općenito omogućit će (zapravo već omogućuju) još pozitivnih promjena u svijetu, vezanih uz brigu i skrb za napuštene životinje, beskućnike, bivše ovisnike i općenito ljude (i životinje) u nevolji.
Ako još niste pročitali 'Fantastičnog mačka Boba', obavezno to napravite. Obje ove knjige čine jednu fantastičnu toplu ljudsku (i životinjsku :)) priču, koju jednostavno ne smijete zaobići. Bob je (a i James), svojim osobitim šarmom, uspio osvojiti srca ljudi širom svijeta - dopustite mu da osvoji i vaše.
May 3, 2014
The World According to Bob..by James Bowen.. I won this book through Goodreads. It was an amazing story. The trust Bob had for Jim and Jim doing the very best he could to care for Bob especially when he had little funds. Jim was a recovering drug addict. Jim sold newspapers and played his guitar to earn a little money. He was encouraged to write his first book about Bob and with the help of some professional writers; he did it. Bob is everyone's favorite, he did a few tricks and rode on Jim's neck and shoulders as Jim traveled the street of London on his bicycle. At Jims flat Bob took care of Jim when he wasn't feeling good. Bob would put his paw on Jim's forehead and lay on Jim's chest, purring softly and also putting his ear to Jim's chest to hear his heart beat. Bob is such an extraordinary cat. With Jim's success he didn't have to earn money on the streets any more. I loved this book.
April 28, 2017
Another great story about Bob!
This book made me smile. And at the end I had tears in my eyes because of the happy ending. It's an emotional and touching personal story. I've read three books about these incredible friendship between James and Bob, and I really liked it.
This book made me smile. And at the end I had tears in my eyes because of the happy ending. It's an emotional and touching personal story. I've read three books about these incredible friendship between James and Bob, and I really liked it.
August 15, 2020
I really liked the true story aspect. It was endearing and thoughtful.
September 18, 2013
This is the sequel to last year's popular book, A Street Cat Named Bob, in which James Bowen talked about how the stray cat he found helped him turn his life around and quit his drug addiction. I first found out about this book in a magazine that, somewhat unfairly, slammed the book before it had even been published.
This book picks up where the original left off and tells of James and Bobs' lives up until March 2012, when A Street Cat Named Bob was first sold in the shops. It felt a bit more like a series of anecdotes than the last one, as each chapter takes a separate subject, mostly talking about what James likes about Bob and bizarre things that have happened to them; for example, in one entertaining chapter, Bob is at a friend's flat and James finds him out on the roof; his attempts to get him back almost see him getting stuck himself. The book does not forget about James' past though, and the fifth chapter contains a harrowing account of an addict dying from a heroin overdose.
Most of this book was enjoyable, although it did start with a recap of what happened in the previous book, for the benefit of anyone who didn't read it; I found this a bit annoying as I was keen to read a new story about James and Bob. I enjoyed most of the stories, though there were a few episodes about scrapes with authorities and particularly James getting into trouble about breaking rules while selling the Big Issue felt like the book was retreading old ground.
When I started reading segments that were about the planning of James' first book, I felt like the bottom of the barrel was being scraped; I was reading a book about the writing of another book; however, I found myself enjoying the account of a conversation with Sir Paul McCartney, and the day of James' first book signing, where he worried that nobody would come to buy his book (at one point he worries that he'll find most copies thrown in the bin). Incidentally, when I came to buy this one on the first day of sale there was a queue around the block, showing that his fears were unfounded.
Overall, this was a decent book and it is worth reading if you're a fan of the original; however, I don't think there's much scope for a third Bob book.
This book picks up where the original left off and tells of James and Bobs' lives up until March 2012, when A Street Cat Named Bob was first sold in the shops. It felt a bit more like a series of anecdotes than the last one, as each chapter takes a separate subject, mostly talking about what James likes about Bob and bizarre things that have happened to them; for example, in one entertaining chapter, Bob is at a friend's flat and James finds him out on the roof; his attempts to get him back almost see him getting stuck himself. The book does not forget about James' past though, and the fifth chapter contains a harrowing account of an addict dying from a heroin overdose.
Most of this book was enjoyable, although it did start with a recap of what happened in the previous book, for the benefit of anyone who didn't read it; I found this a bit annoying as I was keen to read a new story about James and Bob. I enjoyed most of the stories, though there were a few episodes about scrapes with authorities and particularly James getting into trouble about breaking rules while selling the Big Issue felt like the book was retreading old ground.
When I started reading segments that were about the planning of James' first book, I felt like the bottom of the barrel was being scraped; I was reading a book about the writing of another book; however, I found myself enjoying the account of a conversation with Sir Paul McCartney, and the day of James' first book signing, where he worried that nobody would come to buy his book (at one point he worries that he'll find most copies thrown in the bin). Incidentally, when I came to buy this one on the first day of sale there was a queue around the block, showing that his fears were unfounded.
Overall, this was a decent book and it is worth reading if you're a fan of the original; however, I don't think there's much scope for a third Bob book.
August 7, 2019
I have enjoyed reading this book and the first book of James's and Bob's life together. I couldn't put it down as I found it very interesting. It made me sad at times and I cried and at some passages in the book I laughed out laud. Its incredible how James and Bob the ginger cat met and bonded so deeply that they saved each others lives. In the book James is talking about openly and honestly about his dark days of his past, about his drug addiction and struggle to get clean, about his relationship with his family and few friends, his days living on the streets etc. It opened my eyes what live is like for homeless people and how hard it is to live like this. But what I have most enjoyed reading about was when James was talking about his everyday live with him and Bob and what was like for them to work on the streets of London and how their life turned around in a positive way. I also saw him once near Neal Street in London walking with Bob on his shoulders. It was such an unusual sight which I will never forget!
This is a real life story of hope, love and determination...James and Bob's story is fascinating and I truly believe that their destiny was to meet one another and inspire others to be kinder, more loving and understanding not only to homeless people but to animals and each other. God bless you James and Bob!
This is a real life story of hope, love and determination...James and Bob's story is fascinating and I truly believe that their destiny was to meet one another and inspire others to be kinder, more loving and understanding not only to homeless people but to animals and each other. God bless you James and Bob!
June 8, 2014
Let's be real, this sequel was automatically getting five stars because I am an absolute sucker for pet stories where the pet in question is alive. I saw The World According to Bob: the Further Adventures of One Man and his Streetwise Cat in a bookstore and squealed in delight. Although, the subtitle suggests this is a sequel, it's really a prequel. Like a meta prequel. Think more Wes Craven's New Nightmare than The Phantom Menance.
The author, James Bowen, continues the story of where A Street Cat Named Bob left off. He's still selling copies of the Big Issue along with Bob and still tapering off his heroin addiction. Bowen shows growth. He's not nervous about ending his heroin addiction treatment and after a few close calls, Bowen wants to leave the "street life" for good. Also, he gets a book deal and wants to devote attention to that.
The way Bowen describes his relationship with is heartfelt. They are really 2 lost souls who found each other and make each other better. Bowen has gain maturity and learned responsibility just by caring for Bob. I did worry about Bowen's numerous medical maladies.
Once again, this book is great for animal lovers and for believers of second chances.
The author, James Bowen, continues the story of where A Street Cat Named Bob left off. He's still selling copies of the Big Issue along with Bob and still tapering off his heroin addiction. Bowen shows growth. He's not nervous about ending his heroin addiction treatment and after a few close calls, Bowen wants to leave the "street life" for good. Also, he gets a book deal and wants to devote attention to that.
The way Bowen describes his relationship with is heartfelt. They are really 2 lost souls who found each other and make each other better. Bowen has gain maturity and learned responsibility just by caring for Bob. I did worry about Bowen's numerous medical maladies.
Once again, this book is great for animal lovers and for believers of second chances.
May 20, 2022
The World According to Bob are more stories about James Bowen and his adopted street cat Bob. This was just as lovely and heartwarming as the first book. I enjoyed the adventures the pair had and even got a little teary eyed in places it was so touching. Both have come such a long way on their journey together. James and Bob's story is truly inspiring. Who rescued whom!
February 3, 2019
The World According to Bob is a book written by James Bowen. It was released in 2013 and it was a number one book on The Sunday Times' bestseller list. It is the second book of the Bob The Cat series.
James and his street cat Bob have been on a remarkable journey together. In the years since their story ended in the bestselling A Street Cat Named Bob James, with Bob's help, has begun to find his way back to the real world. Almost every day, Bob provides moments of intelligence, bravery and humour, at the same time opening his human friend's eyes to important truths about friendship, loyalty, trust – and the meaning of happiness. In the continuing tale of their life together, James shows many ways in which Bob has been his protector and guardian angel through times of illness, hardship, even life-threatening danger. James knows that the tricks he's taught Bob are nothing compared to the lessons he's learnt from his street-wise cat.
From the beginning, I knew I would love reading this book. It’s such an easy-going book, despite all the bad situations described in it. It’s not a very long book, and the chapters are just about the right size. The translation was also extremely well performed.
I overall enjoyed this book. It is a very light book, but I think it achieved its purpose. I’ll be waiting to hear more about Bob’s adventures!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
James and his street cat Bob have been on a remarkable journey together. In the years since their story ended in the bestselling A Street Cat Named Bob James, with Bob's help, has begun to find his way back to the real world. Almost every day, Bob provides moments of intelligence, bravery and humour, at the same time opening his human friend's eyes to important truths about friendship, loyalty, trust – and the meaning of happiness. In the continuing tale of their life together, James shows many ways in which Bob has been his protector and guardian angel through times of illness, hardship, even life-threatening danger. James knows that the tricks he's taught Bob are nothing compared to the lessons he's learnt from his street-wise cat.
From the beginning, I knew I would love reading this book. It’s such an easy-going book, despite all the bad situations described in it. It’s not a very long book, and the chapters are just about the right size. The translation was also extremely well performed.
I overall enjoyed this book. It is a very light book, but I think it achieved its purpose. I’ll be waiting to hear more about Bob’s adventures!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
February 23, 2019
The second book is a continuing story of how Bob the cat saved James Bowen's life and was his inspiration. This book just as good as the first one, A STREET CAT NAMED BOB. Bob is James Bowen's life saver and forever soul mate.
August 5, 2016
"Durante muitos anos, estes três elementos preciosos - fé, esperança e amor - estiveram dolorosamente afastados da minha vida. Contudo, um capricho do destino proporcionou-me todos eles em simultâneo, sob a forma de um gato irrequieto, divertido, astuto, ocasionalmente intratável mas sempre delicado, que me ajudou a dar a volta à minha vida."
Podemos resumir assim a inspiradora história de James - um ex-toxicodependente - e Bob - o gato que simplesmente se recusou a largar James - os dois companheiros inseparáveis que ficámos a conhecer em A Minha História com Bob e que regressam agora com O Mundo Segundo Bob na continuação da sua luta conjunta para sobreviverem nas ruas de Londres.
Como vendedores da revista "The Big Issue", James e Bob são obrigados a enfrentar diversos desafios diários. Apesar do aparecimento de problemas de saúde, da habitual dificuldade económica e de sabotagem, James não perde a esperança de conseguir mudar de vida.
"Ainda não sei se encontrei Bob ou se foi ele que me encontrou. Mas sei que, sem ele, estaria totalmente perdido."
Gosto imenso do tom honesto da narrativa; James assume as suas culpas e defeitos sem apelar desavergonhadamente à compaixão do leitor. O texto corre-nos à frente com bastante facilidade e agilidade e quando reparamos estamos já a apreciar os acordes finais.
A companhia regular de um animal leva-nos a desenvolver um tipo muito especial de sensibilidade…No meu caso, esta premissa serve também de indicador de carácter. Sempre que ouço "não gosto de ler" ou "não gosto de animais" sei que não vou ter que esperar muito tempo para assistir à revelação de uma personalidade medíocre. James demonstrou ser uma pessoa excepcional por entre os seus erros. Ao demonstrar solidariedade por um animal quando se encontrava num período tão mau da sua vida já nos diz muito sobre ele mas o facto de assimilar desde cedo que este gato poderia minimizar a sua dor e solidão diz muito mais.
James volta a mostrar que um gato pode ser bem mais do que um "animal de companhia"…pode ser um amigo verdadeiro e, se estivermos atentos, pode até ser o início da solução!
"(…) Bob e eu éramos almas feridas. Uníramo-nos depois de batermos no fundo. Cada um ajudara a reparar a vida do outro."
August 5, 2014
I love this fucking cat.
I have such an affinity for animals. Not like, "Oh, I love animals they're so fluffy and cute and I just want to look at puppies on the internet all day!"
No. Like, I have braked hard enough to leave marks on asphalt to get a snake out of the road. I swerve around frogs, and once stopped traffic because a wild turkey had been hit and I ran to wrap him in my jacket, and held him while he died.
I have an affinity for animals.
The first book touched me so deeply, this wonderful, broken person who found this random cat, and this amazing bond that formed between them. Animals are healers, if you let them in. And these two are just so perfect.
I am more convinced than ever that I need to meet Bob the cat. I promise to bring bubble wrap and catnip balls and yummy treats.
The chapter where James got DVT, and was grumpy and scared that he was chasing Bob away with his antisocial behavior. It broke my heart, because I would've had the same fear. And I was heart broken that Bob didn't have his friend for such a long period of time, and the way he acted while James was hurt.
And then fucking hell, Belle telling him about Bob checking on him while he slept and curling around his leg. Seriously, ugly snot tears. That is an animal who wants to heal. I had one of those, when I needed her the most. I still have her ashes.
I love that James published another book. Thank you to whoever talked him into it, if he was hesitant. I love that there were more Bob stories, and that we got to find out what happened after the book came out. I was furious to read about his removal from the Big Issue, and what an awful time he and Bob had going back on the streets busking. But the story of Bob saving him from the mugger was probably my favorite thing I've read all year.
The line drawings in this book are so cute, and so sweet. They added flavor to each chapter, way better than if we'd just had pictures of Bob himself.
I want Bob to live to be 50. I don't ever want to hear about Bob passing away. Ever. When he does, I need to be sheltered from the news, because I will be in hysterics.
I have such an affinity for animals. Not like, "Oh, I love animals they're so fluffy and cute and I just want to look at puppies on the internet all day!"
No. Like, I have braked hard enough to leave marks on asphalt to get a snake out of the road. I swerve around frogs, and once stopped traffic because a wild turkey had been hit and I ran to wrap him in my jacket, and held him while he died.
I have an affinity for animals.
The first book touched me so deeply, this wonderful, broken person who found this random cat, and this amazing bond that formed between them. Animals are healers, if you let them in. And these two are just so perfect.
I am more convinced than ever that I need to meet Bob the cat. I promise to bring bubble wrap and catnip balls and yummy treats.
The chapter where James got DVT, and was grumpy and scared that he was chasing Bob away with his antisocial behavior. It broke my heart, because I would've had the same fear. And I was heart broken that Bob didn't have his friend for such a long period of time, and the way he acted while James was hurt.
And then fucking hell, Belle telling him about Bob checking on him while he slept and curling around his leg. Seriously, ugly snot tears. That is an animal who wants to heal. I had one of those, when I needed her the most. I still have her ashes.
I love that James published another book. Thank you to whoever talked him into it, if he was hesitant. I love that there were more Bob stories, and that we got to find out what happened after the book came out. I was furious to read about his removal from the Big Issue, and what an awful time he and Bob had going back on the streets busking. But the story of Bob saving him from the mugger was probably my favorite thing I've read all year.
The line drawings in this book are so cute, and so sweet. They added flavor to each chapter, way better than if we'd just had pictures of Bob himself.
I want Bob to live to be 50. I don't ever want to hear about Bob passing away. Ever. When he does, I need to be sheltered from the news, because I will be in hysterics.
June 26, 2018
As someone who was saved by my cat Marcel, which I described in my novella A World Without Color, I can say there is not a single thing I did not like about The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Street-wise Cat. Just as in its prequel A Street Cat Named Bob: The Amazing True Story of One Man and His Cat, Bob made me smile, laugh and cry. There were so many familiar things in his behavior I saw and recognized in Marcel. Marcel was my world and losing him was an emotional and intellectual apocalypse.
I am grateful to author James Bowen for sharing his touching and difficult life story and for evoking my fondest and saddest memories. I am grateful to him for portraying Bob as someone extraordinary, smart, intelligent and cunning, the most loyal, compassionate and best friend possible.
Animals are the purest souls on this planet and if we let them touch our hearts, we will feel and experience something no other human can give us. I am saying this not only as someone who has a soft spot for cats and is a one hundred percent cat person, but as someone who has been there and lived it.
Bob, you have my love and admiration. Stay awesome as you are.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Bernard Jan
I am grateful to author James Bowen for sharing his touching and difficult life story and for evoking my fondest and saddest memories. I am grateful to him for portraying Bob as someone extraordinary, smart, intelligent and cunning, the most loyal, compassionate and best friend possible.
Animals are the purest souls on this planet and if we let them touch our hearts, we will feel and experience something no other human can give us. I am saying this not only as someone who has a soft spot for cats and is a one hundred percent cat person, but as someone who has been there and lived it.
Bob, you have my love and admiration. Stay awesome as you are.
BJ
www.bernardjan.com
Bernard Jan
May 6, 2017
Não sei bem porquê mas neste género de livros, gosto sempre especialmente das partes finais... Absolutamente incrível!
''Os anos que eu passara com Bob nas ruas tinham-me ensinado a esperar o inesperado. Conseguíramos adaptar-nos às circunstâncias, a navegar contra o vento, por vezes em sentido quase literal. (...)
Durante muitos anos, estes três elementos preciosos - fé, esperança e amor - estiveram dolorosamente afastados da minha vida. Contudo, um capricho do destino proporcionou-me todos eles em simultâneo, sob a forma de um gato irrequieto, divertido, astuto, ocasionalmente intratável mas sempre dedicado, que me ajudou a dar a volta à minha vida. Bob ajudou-me a recuperar a fé em mim mesmo e no mundo à minha volta. Proporcionou-me esperança quando ela me parecia totalmente perdida. Acima de tudo, deu-me o amor incondicional que cada um de nós precisava. O mundo antes de Bob parecia um lugar cruel, desumano e, sim, sem esperança. O mundo que aprendi a ver através dele é muito diferente. Houve momentos em que não distinguia um dia do outro. Agora, valorizo todos. Sinto-me mais feliz, mais saudável e mais realizado do que nunca. Pelo menos, por agora, libertei-me da vida nas ruas. Vejo diante de mim um capítulo aberto.
Não sei onde nos levará a seguir a nossa aventura. Sei apenas que, enquanto o tiver comigo, Bob estará no centro de todas as coisas boas que me acontecerem. É o meu companheiro, o meu melhor amigo, o meu professor e a minha alma gémea. E continuará a ser tudo isso. Para sempre. Ainda não sei se encontrei Bob ou se foi ele que me encontrou. Mas sei que, sem ele, estaria totalmente perdido.'' - James Bowen 2013
''Os anos que eu passara com Bob nas ruas tinham-me ensinado a esperar o inesperado. Conseguíramos adaptar-nos às circunstâncias, a navegar contra o vento, por vezes em sentido quase literal. (...)
Durante muitos anos, estes três elementos preciosos - fé, esperança e amor - estiveram dolorosamente afastados da minha vida. Contudo, um capricho do destino proporcionou-me todos eles em simultâneo, sob a forma de um gato irrequieto, divertido, astuto, ocasionalmente intratável mas sempre dedicado, que me ajudou a dar a volta à minha vida. Bob ajudou-me a recuperar a fé em mim mesmo e no mundo à minha volta. Proporcionou-me esperança quando ela me parecia totalmente perdida. Acima de tudo, deu-me o amor incondicional que cada um de nós precisava. O mundo antes de Bob parecia um lugar cruel, desumano e, sim, sem esperança. O mundo que aprendi a ver através dele é muito diferente. Houve momentos em que não distinguia um dia do outro. Agora, valorizo todos. Sinto-me mais feliz, mais saudável e mais realizado do que nunca. Pelo menos, por agora, libertei-me da vida nas ruas. Vejo diante de mim um capítulo aberto.
Não sei onde nos levará a seguir a nossa aventura. Sei apenas que, enquanto o tiver comigo, Bob estará no centro de todas as coisas boas que me acontecerem. É o meu companheiro, o meu melhor amigo, o meu professor e a minha alma gémea. E continuará a ser tudo isso. Para sempre. Ainda não sei se encontrei Bob ou se foi ele que me encontrou. Mas sei que, sem ele, estaria totalmente perdido.'' - James Bowen 2013
August 31, 2014
A wonderful sequel to the best seller A Streetcat Named Bob. Again, I loved hearing of the special bond Bob and his owner James have, this is no literary masterpiece but it is real, and heartwarming and a story of survival. I laughed at Bob's antics and cheered for the wins in their lives. A lovely book that I read from cover to cover. Highly recommended for a nice read, it offers some "paws" for thought....
October 10, 2013
As it says on the cover. I am a believer in the healing power of animals and Bob not only is a charmer but has been a soul mate for James. Their story has been an inspiring one and I was very happy to be able to read more about them in the time leading up to the writing of the first book.
The last few pages had me tearing up and hugging Miss Buffy, one of my beloved companions. Inspiring in a down-to-earth fashion.
The last few pages had me tearing up and hugging Miss Buffy, one of my beloved companions. Inspiring in a down-to-earth fashion.
July 8, 2014
I'm not sure the title fits. James Bowen relates how his relationship with Bob the cat continues to salvage him from himself. He's kicked his heroin habit, the methadone substitute, and now the weaning drug. He is starting to pull himself together. He's beginning to reconcile with his family. His success at selling The Big Issue is due mainly to Bob, who attracts attention and can perform a trick or two, something no cat would bother to do even for people that fed it well. I can't say cats actually like any people, but it's clear that Bob does like James.
I only wish my cats liked me that well.
This brings notoriety and thence the opportunity to write the book that precedes this.
What this book taught me was that the second someone starts to get his act together, improve his life, the system starts to work against him, as well as do his former comrades. I'm reminded of Terry Pratchett's simile of crabs in a bucket, that will pull down any of their fellows that are trying to escape. If James had gotten himself a regular job, he might not still need to sell the magazine, but this is not the case. He has gotten an advance for a book, which he recognizes he will need as a future cushion until he sees whether the book even sells. Someone starts looking to catch him out in an infraction and he loses his lucrative selling site and the right to sell the magazine. He's reduced to busking, which attracts more hostility and when the police stop harassing him, the humane society is called in to cause James further grief. [I am heartened to learn of the Blue Cross Animal Charity that provides veterinary care for owners who can't afford private fees. Bravo!]
Once alguien empieza a medrar, starts to climb up out of the bucket, there should be a second tier of help that encourages instead of withdrawing support. Does that person still need access to free health care [USA, of course - but I did wonder why James didn't seek medical help sooner when he was ill, but I guess that means interminable waits that he could be earning], counseling, etc.? Do we make someone run through all their money before helping again? That's how people get into financial trouble - by not having that cushion.
Bowen's, well, "ghost-writer" has whipped this up into a suspenseful narrative that may not be strictly chronological. I felt a bit manipulated as we worked up to a climax. Still, it made me thoughtful. I'm not sure what James is destined for. Again, now that he is getting income from the books, what happens when that peters out? He can't be earning that much. And Bob's not getting any younger ...
I only wish my cats liked me that well.
This brings notoriety and thence the opportunity to write the book that precedes this.
What this book taught me was that the second someone starts to get his act together, improve his life, the system starts to work against him, as well as do his former comrades. I'm reminded of Terry Pratchett's simile of crabs in a bucket, that will pull down any of their fellows that are trying to escape. If James had gotten himself a regular job, he might not still need to sell the magazine, but this is not the case. He has gotten an advance for a book, which he recognizes he will need as a future cushion until he sees whether the book even sells. Someone starts looking to catch him out in an infraction and he loses his lucrative selling site and the right to sell the magazine. He's reduced to busking, which attracts more hostility and when the police stop harassing him, the humane society is called in to cause James further grief. [I am heartened to learn of the Blue Cross Animal Charity that provides veterinary care for owners who can't afford private fees. Bravo!]
Once alguien empieza a medrar, starts to climb up out of the bucket, there should be a second tier of help that encourages instead of withdrawing support. Does that person still need access to free health care [USA, of course - but I did wonder why James didn't seek medical help sooner when he was ill, but I guess that means interminable waits that he could be earning], counseling, etc.? Do we make someone run through all their money before helping again? That's how people get into financial trouble - by not having that cushion.
Bowen's, well, "ghost-writer" has whipped this up into a suspenseful narrative that may not be strictly chronological. I felt a bit manipulated as we worked up to a climax. Still, it made me thoughtful. I'm not sure what James is destined for. Again, now that he is getting income from the books, what happens when that peters out? He can't be earning that much. And Bob's not getting any younger ...
July 6, 2014
Yay! More Bob!
The review of Bowen’s first book, ‘A Street Cat Names Bob’, left me wishing that Bob had more spotlight. This time, author has got it just right, letting us know more about Bob’s characteristics and his escapades, with Bowen’s life wrapped around the story.
Once again, this story is delightful and I am certain cat owners can relate to so much that we find out about for Bob. He is definitely a loveable cat and I think that even if you are more of the dog persuasion, you will find it very difficult to not fall in love with this furry feline. It was so easy to imagine what Bob gets up to, but I do wish that there had been some photographs included in the story, even if they were ones taken by Bob’s London-street fans.
What I liked most of all about ‘The World According to Bob’, is the happy ending that is finally realised by Bowen and Bob. After reading so much about their struggles in the first book and most of this one, it was so nice to see Bowen’s life turn a corner. The book finishes at the point of publication of first book and the closing comments from Bowen to Bob were really quite touching. There are some dark times in this story and I think this just makes the ending even more enduring.
I really enjoyed reading this book and feel it was better than the first. Bowen doesn’t provide an epilogue to say what he and Bob are up to these days, but I guess this just reinforces the belief that life is now a lot better for this duo. I can’t see how another book can be churned out but hope to see Bob about in the future!
The review of Bowen’s first book, ‘A Street Cat Names Bob’, left me wishing that Bob had more spotlight. This time, author has got it just right, letting us know more about Bob’s characteristics and his escapades, with Bowen’s life wrapped around the story.
Once again, this story is delightful and I am certain cat owners can relate to so much that we find out about for Bob. He is definitely a loveable cat and I think that even if you are more of the dog persuasion, you will find it very difficult to not fall in love with this furry feline. It was so easy to imagine what Bob gets up to, but I do wish that there had been some photographs included in the story, even if they were ones taken by Bob’s London-street fans.
What I liked most of all about ‘The World According to Bob’, is the happy ending that is finally realised by Bowen and Bob. After reading so much about their struggles in the first book and most of this one, it was so nice to see Bowen’s life turn a corner. The book finishes at the point of publication of first book and the closing comments from Bowen to Bob were really quite touching. There are some dark times in this story and I think this just makes the ending even more enduring.
I really enjoyed reading this book and feel it was better than the first. Bowen doesn’t provide an epilogue to say what he and Bob are up to these days, but I guess this just reinforces the belief that life is now a lot better for this duo. I can’t see how another book can be churned out but hope to see Bob about in the future!
February 10, 2015
After reading A street cat named Bob, and enjoying it, I was not disappointed by this follow-up. It is a very moving read, uplifting and life affirming. That Bob and James both survived together after their difficult start in life is amazing. James's account of his life as a busker, then a Big Issue vendor and then as an author is well worth a read and I can recommend it not only to cat lovers, but anyone who needs something to restore their faith in humanity. This book gave me a long lasting uplift.
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May 22, 2018I really enjoyed reading this book as it was truly inspirational. I am not sure if it was James who saved Bob or Bob who saved James but thank goodness they met when they did.
This story really highlighted the plight of the homeless people on our streets and gave me an insight into the big issue sellers. A really interesting story and well worth a look. Recommended.
This story really highlighted the plight of the homeless people on our streets and gave me an insight into the big issue sellers. A really interesting story and well worth a look. Recommended.
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