Chasing the Bear: A Young Spenser Novel

Robert B. Parker provides insight into what shaped his hero, a role model of get involved

Spenser and Susan are talking while watching the swan boats in the Boston Public Gardens as she wants to know more about what he was like growing up. His mother died giving birth to him, so he lived with his father and two uncles. The three men taught him to box and know right from wrong, which he realized early on may not always be legal.

Jeanne is his first friend and she tells him how much she hates her father because he is an ugly drunk who beats up her and her mom. One day Jeanne calls out to fourteen year old Spenser from her father's truck asking him for help. He follows them and separates her from her dad. The drunk gives chase, but with a little help he dies in his attempt. Spencer tells the police before returning home.

Spenser knows when to fight and when to take flight. He refuses to help the Anglo boys beat up Mexicans so the bullies challenge him, but Jeanne gets his family to the fight sight. When the Mexicans decide to fight, Spenser refuses to join them but also hides his information from the Anglos. Susan can see the teen roots of the present day Spenser.

The same qualities that Spenser has as an adult can be seen as a teen because he does not care about one's race but instead the person. His Boy Scout tendency to help someone in need comes through loud and clear, especially his disinterest with rewards and accolades. Targeting young adults, Robert B. Parker provides insight into what shaped his hero, a role model of get involved.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Robert b parker chassing the bear

It is awesome evenn thought it has bad words

The style and storyline are one hundred per cent Spenser.

Do not be misguided by the young Spenser tag. This is a prototypical Spenser novel (novella?) and should be in the library of every Spenser fan. The subject material of a young Spenser is narrated by the mature version. And of course the authorship of an experienced Parker makes this story required reading.

Great prelude to Spenser but publisher very greedy on price

This book is really a short story with a lot of 2 page chapters. I love Robert Parker's style and, as always, I enjoyed from beginning to end but.....this "book" has a total of 106 pages and publisher charged the same as for his fully developed novels just because they could. I hope the author wasn't cheated the same way.

What makes Spenser Spenser

Chasing the Bear- Short book, novella really from Robert B Parker. There is no mystery to be solved, its a conversation between Boston PI Spenser and his Harvard educated psychologist girlfriend about his childhood. It details what made young Spenser the Spenser that he is today. Fun read for Spenser fans (I am one) but it won't make much sense as a freestanding novel to anyone unfamiliar with the series. I found out recently that it's supposed to be a young adult novel. I really can't see it.

Parker provides insight into Spenser.

As we have long suspected, Spenser and Parker are much the same person whether or not they have had the same experiences.

Another Great Read

I have always enjoyed all of Mr. Parker's novels, including this one! After reading the first few paragraphs of Chasing the Bear, I was already laughing at his understated humor and enjoying his easy-to-read conversations. This is another GREAT Robert B. Parker novel!

Not Quite What I Expected

Inasmuch as I love all of Robert Parker series, Spencer being my favorite, this book fell a little short. I had expected more detail of the young life of Spencer, rather than one tale from his childhood. It is a very fast read.

Chasing the Bear is typical of Robert Parker's work. It's straight forward and interesting. An easy ready, but with alot of character depth. I wish I had read this one first so I would have had background on Spencer.

I'm a big Robert Parker fan and have read every one of his books I could find. I like his style. He has simple, but effective character building skills and plots that keep you interested.

Not my favorite Spenser

I have all of the Spenser series books. I love the early ones - more action along with the philosophal discourse. The past few years of Spenser novels tend to be a lot of talk, big type, wide spacing and not much else. I will continue to purchase the Spenser novels but wish Parker would put more into his writing instead of bragging how many novels he has waiting to be published. Spreading them all too thin! And more Hawk!

Where did Spenser come from?

For long time Spenser fans this book answers a lot of questions about the child who became the man. The story switches back and forth from the current days with Susan to Spenser's recollections of his youth. Although a short, easy read do not consider this a children's book as there are references to Spenser and Susan's physical relationship. I enjoyed this peek into the past but found it not as satisfying as a Spenser mystery.

Great author & great series

Robert B. Parker is one of my favorite authors!!! He writes some graet characters & Specver is one of them. Reading his books is highly recommended!!

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