The World According to Bob

Starred review from March 31, 2014
Prior to publishing his bestselling memoir, A Street Cat Named Bob, Bowen and his feline sidekick were barely scraping by when opportunity struck in the form of a newspaper story, entitled "Two Cool Cats," profiling the odd couple. The paper set off a wave of interest on Bowen and Bob, culminating in a book deal. Still reeling from the abrupt 180-degree turn his life took, Bowen recounts his transition to overnight celebrity in this equally engaging prequel. Cat-lovers expecting a heartwarming account of Bob's quirky behavior will certainly get that, but Bowen's focus is on the realities of homelessness. Harassment from uninformed, self-appointed do-gooders concerned about Bob's welfare, heartless citizens having a laugh at his expense, and a harrowing encounter with a fellow addict who overdosed on Bowen's doorstep are just a few of the anecdotes here; Bowen isn't looking to shock anyone or paint himself as a martyr. It's this smartly balanced blend of humor, pathos, and humility that makes Bowen such an engaging narrator, and it's no wonder the unlikely duo have inspired so many followers on Facebook as well as in real life. Bowen has crafted a terrific sequel to an amazing and inspiring story that's just beginning.

May 1, 2014
The continuing story of a London busker and his feline friend, Bob.For those who read A Street Cat Named Bob (2013) and wondered what happened to the dynamic duo of James, a former drug addict and vendor for the street newspaper The Big Issue, and his cat companion, Bob, look no farther. Bowen expands on the story of his former life as a drug addict and the many ways Bob continues to be his faithful friend. "I always said that we were partners, that we needed each other equally," he writes. "Deep down I believed that wasn't really true. I felt like I needed him more." When Bowen was struck by an unrelenting pain in his leg, making it impossible to stand or walk, Bob was there to help him through it. When the author had a severe chest cold, once again, Bob indicated through his small gestures, like resting his head on Bowen's chest, that he understood Bowen was ill and empathized with him. Seeing a stranger overdose in his own apartment stairwell jolted Bowen to fight his own cravings. "An addict is always living on a knife's edge...all [the destructive behavior] needed was one moment of weakness and I could be on the way down again," he writes. While Bowen steadily worked his way out of addiction, silly cat moments, such as Bob's fascination with packaging, especially bubble wrap and boxes, kept him amused and happy. But he still had self-doubts about his life. Nosy strangers insisted Bob was being maltreated, and other vendors accused Bowen of breaking vending rules, which caused his license to be suspended. Then, everything changed with the unexpected success of his first book, which Bowen acknowledges is entirely due to his best friend, Bob.A simple, heartwarming story of continued companionship and mutual trust and respect. Though the book is averagely written, it is sure to be another best-seller.

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Starred review from April 15, 2014
The author's Street Cat Named Bob (2012) climbed onto the New York Times best-seller list as it touched the hearts of cat lovers in not only the U.S. but also, prior to that, in Bowen'sand Bob'snative Britain. If you are unfamiliar with the previous book (and shame on you), the author was a London street musician and recovering drug addict when he stumbled upon an ill ginger tabby, whom he namedso perfectlyBob. He fixed Bob up, and they have been inseparable ever since. The remarkable aspect of their friendshipno, loveis that Bob accompanied Bowen most days on his street-playing gig, attracting considerable attention in his own right. Now comes a sequel to that beguiling book, and this human-feline team has not lost any of its extraordinariness. The primary focus in this second installment of the Bob story is the fame and fortune that came Bowen's way in the wake of the spectacular success of the first book. But is Bob no longer as vital to Bowen's life? Be serious. Bob's serenity has kept his now-famous owner grounded and aware of what's really important in life: the strength of love. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: The previous book's popularity will guarantee the commercial success of the author's new one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)

December 1, 2013

Bowen was a struggling street musician, then a struggling street musician with a marmalade-colored cat. Then, with A Street Cat Named Bob, he became a best-selling author. Here he explains how Bob helped him through the shock of international celebrity.

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