Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Hodder & Stoughton (2012), 289 pages
Description
When London street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change.
User reviews
LibraryThing member michelle_bcf
James is a young man who’s had a very difficult life. When we meet him, he’s living in a small flat after living on the streets, and he’s trying to make some money by busking. Into his life comes one remarkable cat, who he names Bob – and this book tells the story of their relationship, and
The focus really is on Bob, who is a very smart, loyal cat. We find out some of James’ back story, but the focus is on looking forward, and making changes, which I loved. It’s also an insight into life on the streets - James doesn’t hold back when talking about his problems, and some of the other people, but he also shows that there are people genuinely trying to help themselves – I think I, like many others who read this book, will make more of an effort to buy the Big Issue now.
It’s written in a fairly simple style, which is part of it’s appeal. It’s not high literature, nor is it written in a way to tug your emotional heartstrings.. although touched you will be. This is one guy, telling your his story.. and the story of the cat who quite simply changed his life. I wish them both all the best in the future.
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how James starts to claim back his life.The focus really is on Bob, who is a very smart, loyal cat. We find out some of James’ back story, but the focus is on looking forward, and making changes, which I loved. It’s also an insight into life on the streets - James doesn’t hold back when talking about his problems, and some of the other people, but he also shows that there are people genuinely trying to help themselves – I think I, like many others who read this book, will make more of an effort to buy the Big Issue now.
It’s written in a fairly simple style, which is part of it’s appeal. It’s not high literature, nor is it written in a way to tug your emotional heartstrings.. although touched you will be. This is one guy, telling your his story.. and the story of the cat who quite simply changed his life. I wish them both all the best in the future.
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LibraryThing member lit_chick
"There’s a famous quote I read somewhere. It says we are all given second chances every day of our lives. They are there for the taking, it’s just that we don’t usually take them.” (Ch 1)
Failed musician and recovering drug addict, James Bowen, is living hand-to-mouth in sheltered
“Seeing me with my cat softened me in their eyes. It humanized me. Especially after I’d been so dehumanized. In some ways it was giving me back my identity. I had been a non-person; I was becoming a person again.” (Ch 6)
A Street Cat Named Bob is not going to win any literary prizes for writing, but it is a quick study, and a charming, feel-good story. I understand Bob is coming to the big screen and wanted to acquaint myself with him before then.
Failed musician and recovering drug addict, James Bowen, is living hand-to-mouth in sheltered
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accommodation in London when he finds and nurses back to health a beautiful ginger tomcat he names Bob. When Bob is well again, James expects that he will return to his life on the streets, but Bob has other ideas. When the cat follows James onto a bus one day, James begins to think that perhaps the two of them can make a life together. James, used to being invisible on London’s streets, finds that having the handsome feline reclined on his shoulders, or curled up in his guitar case as they busk in Covent Garden, has changed society’s perception of him:“Seeing me with my cat softened me in their eyes. It humanized me. Especially after I’d been so dehumanized. In some ways it was giving me back my identity. I had been a non-person; I was becoming a person again.” (Ch 6)
A Street Cat Named Bob is not going to win any literary prizes for writing, but it is a quick study, and a charming, feel-good story. I understand Bob is coming to the big screen and wanted to acquaint myself with him before then.
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LibraryThing member dele2451
A poignant story of two male strays, one broke human and one broken feline, who find a way to save one another on the sometimes mean streets of London. A good reminder that sometimes all we really need to get better is something to love.
LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian
Loved this book. It was inspiring to see how a pet was able to assist James with turning his life around. It also gave me a real insight into the life of the homeless or working poor. I never realized some of the things they go through. I already read the second book, but appreciated this one so
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much more. James Bowen was living on the streets addicted to heroin when he decided he wanted to clean up his life. Living in assisted living and on methadone, he is busking in Covent Gardens to cover his expenses. Finding and injured cat in his apartment building, he decides to nurse him back to health, then let him go back to the streets. The cat has other ideas. Once he has someone or something else to take care of, he decides to clean up even further and get off methadone. Who saved who in this story. A beautiful read. Show Less
LibraryThing member TheCrow2
THE simply most beautiful and heart-warming story I've ever read is about a stray cat and a 'stray' man finding each other in the streets of London and how they help each other. A story of an extraordinary friendship. Someone said on the net, it's a love story and it is.
LibraryThing member elliepotten
"Ordinarily, no one would engage or even exchange a look with me. I was a busker and this was London. I didn't exist. I was a person to be avoided, shunned even. But as I walked down Neal Street that afternoon almost every person we passed was looking at me. Well, more to the point, they were
This is SUCH a sweet autobiography. It's not the most amazingly written book, it doesn't dazzle you with its exquisite prose - but you know what? Sometimes it's the story that counts, and this is a lovely one. As most of the universe will already know by now, it's about how James, a recently homeless recovering drug addict, finds a bedraggled ginger tom cat in his apartment building and, being the soppy sort, decides to take him in. Initially only intending to help Bob recover from various street-life-induced problems, the pair quickly become inseparable. After a while Bob starts to follow James to his busking gigs and sits by his side while he's working, earning plenty of interest (and extra coins) from passers-by. In turn, caring for Bob gives James a friend, a responsibility, someone to get up for every morning, a lifeline to happiness even during his darkest hours. This is the story of their friendship and how Bob and James changed each other's lives for the better. It's got some really tear-jerking moments, some dark ones and some all-out gorgeous ones, and I loved it. Bob and his little scarf, of course, are now famous around the world, partly thanks to his penchant for riding around London on James's shoulder!
This isn't only a tale of one man and his faithful cat - though of course, Bob is a constant theme from beginning to end - it's also a rather harrowing insight into life on the poverty line. James has been homeless, has been a drug addict, and throughout most of the book is on a methadone program to wean him off heroin. As an official busker in London, he works long days come rain or shine to scrape together enough to live on, and although Bob's presence ups his daily takings it's still not enough if sudden expenses arise. Not only that, but he's constantly vulnerable to attack by the... let's be honest here, the nasty pieces of work that riddle our society... as well as facing prejudice and verbal abuse on a daily basis.
As he starts to pull his life back together (with a little help from his feline friend), his next step is to become a Big Issue seller. This book will hopefully be a huge boost to sellers, because most people, like me, probably have no idea what this actually entails. I had no idea, for example, that for a seller the magazine is like a personal business. When they first become a seller (all sellers are licensed and given a spot to work from) they get a handful of copies for free, but after that it's up to them. Magazines must be bought (for a set price) before they can be sold on (again, at a set price), and stock must be carefully managed to avoid over- or under-buying. When the next issue comes out, some of the profit is used to buy new magazines, and so on. I didn't really know any of this, so I think I'm a lot more likely to be sympathetic to our local sellers and start picking up an issue every now and again!
All in all, this is a great little heart-warming read (especially for my fellow cat lovers). James is now fundraising to pour money back into the Blue Cross, the veterinary charity that helped him out with Bob when money was tight, which makes me like him even more. A bloody good chap - and a VERY cute cat. :)
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looking at Bob... It must have looked slightly incongruous, a tall, long-haired bloke walking along with a large, ginger tom on his shoulders."This is SUCH a sweet autobiography. It's not the most amazingly written book, it doesn't dazzle you with its exquisite prose - but you know what? Sometimes it's the story that counts, and this is a lovely one. As most of the universe will already know by now, it's about how James, a recently homeless recovering drug addict, finds a bedraggled ginger tom cat in his apartment building and, being the soppy sort, decides to take him in. Initially only intending to help Bob recover from various street-life-induced problems, the pair quickly become inseparable. After a while Bob starts to follow James to his busking gigs and sits by his side while he's working, earning plenty of interest (and extra coins) from passers-by. In turn, caring for Bob gives James a friend, a responsibility, someone to get up for every morning, a lifeline to happiness even during his darkest hours. This is the story of their friendship and how Bob and James changed each other's lives for the better. It's got some really tear-jerking moments, some dark ones and some all-out gorgeous ones, and I loved it. Bob and his little scarf, of course, are now famous around the world, partly thanks to his penchant for riding around London on James's shoulder!
This isn't only a tale of one man and his faithful cat - though of course, Bob is a constant theme from beginning to end - it's also a rather harrowing insight into life on the poverty line. James has been homeless, has been a drug addict, and throughout most of the book is on a methadone program to wean him off heroin. As an official busker in London, he works long days come rain or shine to scrape together enough to live on, and although Bob's presence ups his daily takings it's still not enough if sudden expenses arise. Not only that, but he's constantly vulnerable to attack by the... let's be honest here, the nasty pieces of work that riddle our society... as well as facing prejudice and verbal abuse on a daily basis.
As he starts to pull his life back together (with a little help from his feline friend), his next step is to become a Big Issue seller. This book will hopefully be a huge boost to sellers, because most people, like me, probably have no idea what this actually entails. I had no idea, for example, that for a seller the magazine is like a personal business. When they first become a seller (all sellers are licensed and given a spot to work from) they get a handful of copies for free, but after that it's up to them. Magazines must be bought (for a set price) before they can be sold on (again, at a set price), and stock must be carefully managed to avoid over- or under-buying. When the next issue comes out, some of the profit is used to buy new magazines, and so on. I didn't really know any of this, so I think I'm a lot more likely to be sympathetic to our local sellers and start picking up an issue every now and again!
All in all, this is a great little heart-warming read (especially for my fellow cat lovers). James is now fundraising to pour money back into the Blue Cross, the veterinary charity that helped him out with Bob when money was tight, which makes me like him even more. A bloody good chap - and a VERY cute cat. :)
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LibraryThing member Narilka
When James Bowen, failed musician and recovering drug addict, finds a injured, orange street cat outside his apartment, he decides to take him in just long enough to get him healthy again. Living hand to mouth on the streets himself, the last thing James needed was another mouth to feed. Little did
A Street Cat Named Bob is a memoir about how a man and a cat rescue each other. James nurses Bob back to health and Bob helps him recover from drug addiction and turn his life around. Animals are amazing. This was an uplifting and heart warming story.
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he know the cat named Bob had other plans for him.A Street Cat Named Bob is a memoir about how a man and a cat rescue each other. James nurses Bob back to health and Bob helps him recover from drug addiction and turn his life around. Animals are amazing. This was an uplifting and heart warming story.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
This is a great book, simply written, but emotional. Bob is awesome - this is a cat who is calm, composed, and knows exactly who he wants to be with. Lucky for James, that person is him. James is living the life of busker - singing on the street for money. With Bob in around, James needs to get his
Its sweet - its sad. Its not a 'woe is me' book. There is a positive undertones from the beginning to end. And, its an easy read. So, for a feel good true life book, I recommend A Street Cat Named Bob.
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life together, because who else will care for Bob? Its sweet - its sad. Its not a 'woe is me' book. There is a positive undertones from the beginning to end. And, its an easy read. So, for a feel good true life book, I recommend A Street Cat Named Bob.
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LibraryThing member FerneMysteryReader
A friend once told me that cats choose us and walk into our lives at just the right moment. James Bowen and Bob found each other and are the most extraordinary friends. How wonderful for them both. What a delight to read their story! Now I'd like to read the sequel.
On 12-Oct-2016, GoodReads asked
My reply: Heartwarming...True...Meaningful..."A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets" by James Bowen.
On 12-Oct-2016, GoodReads asked
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the question on Facebook: Describe the book you're currently reading in three words! My reply: Heartwarming...True...Meaningful..."A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets" by James Bowen.
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LibraryThing member DubaiReader
A cat with character.
I discovered this as an in-flight audiobook on a recent long-haul trip, and passed a few happy hours with James Bowen and his loyal cat. I'm only sorry that it must have been abridged, as the full length audiobook is 6 hours in total and it was considerably less than that. I do
However, on the assumption that I got the best bits, this was a great listen, not just for the story of James and Bob, but also for the insights into the struggle of life on the streets, trying to make a living as a busker and later as a Big Issue seller.
When we meet them, James has just been allocated a flat in sheltered accommodation, and he spots a sick looking cat on the doorstep of a neighbour. After checking with the neighbour that it isn't his cat, he takes it in to feed and care for it. He used the very last of his money visiting the vet and buying food and antibiotics for the cat, but karma was certainly watching out for him because he found himself earning three times as much with Bob at his side.
Even though James tried to let Bob go back into the wild, Bob had other ideas and has since travelled round London on James's shoulder.
James Bowen has at least eight books out, for both adults and children, and his author bio says that he now dedicates his time to helping numerous charities that involve homelessness, literacy and animal welfare.
There are several videos on You Tube about him, plus a film recently released.
I discovered this as an in-flight audiobook on a recent long-haul trip, and passed a few happy hours with James Bowen and his loyal cat. I'm only sorry that it must have been abridged, as the full length audiobook is 6 hours in total and it was considerably less than that. I do
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have it as an e book so I hope to make up the missing chapters at some point in the future.However, on the assumption that I got the best bits, this was a great listen, not just for the story of James and Bob, but also for the insights into the struggle of life on the streets, trying to make a living as a busker and later as a Big Issue seller.
When we meet them, James has just been allocated a flat in sheltered accommodation, and he spots a sick looking cat on the doorstep of a neighbour. After checking with the neighbour that it isn't his cat, he takes it in to feed and care for it. He used the very last of his money visiting the vet and buying food and antibiotics for the cat, but karma was certainly watching out for him because he found himself earning three times as much with Bob at his side.
Even though James tried to let Bob go back into the wild, Bob had other ideas and has since travelled round London on James's shoulder.
James Bowen has at least eight books out, for both adults and children, and his author bio says that he now dedicates his time to helping numerous charities that involve homelessness, literacy and animal welfare.
There are several videos on You Tube about him, plus a film recently released.
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LibraryThing member Yogiboo
Such a sweet book! Bob is awesome and you can't help but wish James the very best.
LibraryThing member akblanchard
The title says it all: this the uplifting story of a beautiful ginger tom whose companionship gives purpose to the life of an aimless street musician. It's not all purring and fluffiness, however. There are some tough themes such as homelessness, poverty, drug addiction and mental illness, as well
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as a harrowing depiction of methadone withdrawal. Nonetheless, the bond between man and cat withstands all, and together they triumph over every adversity. Both James and Bob emerge as very likeable. If you've ever loved a cat, you may see your own feline friend reflected in loyal, intelligent, irrepressible Bob. Show Less
LibraryThing member lbettinger
Loved this book. Nothing bad happens to the cat.. and just a great "feel good" story.
LibraryThing member Smitie
Is this the best written non-fiction book I've read? Not really, but I did love to read how much love a cat can bring into a persons life. The way James Bowen describes his relationship with Bob, not as just a pet, but as a companion you really trust and care about reminded me of myself and my two
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cats. Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
I really enjoyed this book - it is a hopeful book even though some of the situations are not so. As a lifelong cat lover and owner, I could identify with James' love and companionship with Bob and his fear when he was missing or threatened. I've yet to meet a cat that will ride on your shoulder
Have ordered the sequel to read.
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though - that is very unusual.Have ordered the sequel to read.
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LibraryThing member KEFeeney
I loved this book. James Bowen recounts a difficult time in his life when a quite unusual cat makes an appearance and sets them both on a new course. Conversational in tone, the story is one of struggle and triumph, and most of all, love and companionship.
LibraryThing member sriemann
The book was a lovely quick read. The relationship between Bob and James is very special, and it was good to read something that had a happy ending.
LibraryThing member Sullywriter
Only a heartless, soulless, insufferable dolt would not be profoundly moved by this heartwarming story of a stray cat who transforms the life of a man down on his luck.
LibraryThing member KEFeeney
I loved this book. James Bowen recounts a difficult time in his life when a quite unusual cat makes an appearance and sets them both on a new course. Conversational in tone, the story is one of struggle and triumph, and most of all, love and companionship.
LibraryThing member BONS
So enjoyed this story of a young homeless man living on the streets of London with a ginger tabby. In this true biography, James, addicted to heroin, tells how he was `invisible' when he was homeless, and the difference it made when he found Bob and took him busking with him. Now the busy tourist
Being a Bristish book, I found the different use of words very interesting. James simple and "honest" approach of the story was refreshing. The overall point being how profoundly James life was saved, maybe? or turned around by this personable feline and yes Bob's life was enriched as well.
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and neighbors - the public - saw James, chatted with him, actually felt something for him. Bob, the cat, humanised the man who was with him, and helped James turn his life around. Being a Bristish book, I found the different use of words very interesting. James simple and "honest" approach of the story was refreshing. The overall point being how profoundly James life was saved, maybe? or turned around by this personable feline and yes Bob's life was enriched as well.
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LibraryThing member KEFeeney
I loved this book. James Bowen recounts a difficult time in his life when a quite unusual cat makes an appearance and sets them both on a new course. Conversational in tone, the story is one of struggle and triumph, and most of all, love and companionship.
LibraryThing member KEFeeney
I loved this book. James Bowen recounts a difficult time in his life when a quite unusual cat makes an appearance and sets them both on a new course. Conversational in tone, the story is one of struggle and triumph, and most of all, love and companionship.
LibraryThing member -Eva-
James Bowen is a recovering heroin-addict when he takes in a homeless cat that will turn out to be his best friend and ally. Admittedly, Bowen is not a professional writer (this book is written with a ghost writer), but since he has an extremely optimistic and heartwarming story to tell, the simple
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style is not a problem. Bob the cat is a natural wonder and it is near impossible not to feel a lot of affection for him and his new owner. It's not high literature, but a short and very feel-good read. Bowen doesn't shy away from some of life's unpleasantnesses, so it's not cloying or all sunshine and daisies, but the overall lasting impression is one of hope. Show Less
LibraryThing member Moonlightfaery
Easy read, not that dramatic as made out to be by a colleague.
LibraryThing member MissBrangwen
I am so happy that I finally got around reading this because I seriously loved every page of it.
The author lived in sheltered housing and was a busker on a methadone program, trying to get off heroin, when he encountered a ginger tomcat in the hall of his building, injured, thin and exhausted.
The story sounds so cheesy, which is probably why I never really read this book until now - I love the cover and I love cats, but I did not expect much of this memoir. However, it is told so naturally and in such an authentic manner that I couldn't help but warm to James and Bob from page one. It feels like sitting in a café and just chatting to the author.
I must admit that I cried over a few chapters, for example when he describes how he finally stopped taking methadone and Bob helped him cope with the utterly terrible withdrawal symptoms he encountered during the first days. It is such a poignant story of how much animals can give to humans.
Apart from this, I also appreciated the insides the author gives into his daily life as a busker and later as a seller of the Big Issue, always being invisible or seen as a nuisance or a lazy person, while in truth working hard for a very small wage. This made me reflect on the way society (myself included) sees homeless people. So although this really is a feel good book, it does have some serious topics, but it is very readable because James is such a relatable character in his own story and simply tells the reader about what happened to him without pointing a finger. You cannot help but root for him and this is why I definitely want to read the other two books of this series.
The author lived in sheltered housing and was a busker on a methadone program, trying to get off heroin, when he encountered a ginger tomcat in the hall of his building, injured, thin and exhausted.
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Being a cat lover, he couldn't abandon the tomcat all to himself and in the end kept him, which changed both of their lives. The story sounds so cheesy, which is probably why I never really read this book until now - I love the cover and I love cats, but I did not expect much of this memoir. However, it is told so naturally and in such an authentic manner that I couldn't help but warm to James and Bob from page one. It feels like sitting in a café and just chatting to the author.
I must admit that I cried over a few chapters, for example when he describes how he finally stopped taking methadone and Bob helped him cope with the utterly terrible withdrawal symptoms he encountered during the first days. It is such a poignant story of how much animals can give to humans.
Apart from this, I also appreciated the insides the author gives into his daily life as a busker and later as a seller of the Big Issue, always being invisible or seen as a nuisance or a lazy person, while in truth working hard for a very small wage. This made me reflect on the way society (myself included) sees homeless people. So although this really is a feel good book, it does have some serious topics, but it is very readable because James is such a relatable character in his own story and simply tells the reader about what happened to him without pointing a finger. You cannot help but root for him and this is why I definitely want to read the other two books of this series.
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Awards
British Book Award (Shortlist — 2012)
Language
Original publication date
2012
ISBN
1444737090 / 9781444737097