The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Streetwise Cat

by James Bowen

Overview

Cat lovers around the world embraced the New York Times bestselling heartwarming true story of James Bowen and A Street Cat Named Bob. Now, the busker and his feline friend are back in The World According to Bob: The Further Adventures of One Man and His Streetwise Cat—a touching and true sequel about one man and the cat that changed his life.

As James struggles to adjust to his transformation from street musician to international celebrity, Bob is at his side, providing moments of intelligence, bravery, and humor and 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 the many ways in which Bob has been his protector and guardian angel through times of illness, hardship, even life-threatening danger. As they high-five together for their crowds of admirers, James knows that the tricks he's taught Bob are nothing compared to the lessons he's learnt from his street-wise cat.

Readers who fell in love with Dewey and Marley will be eager for this gift book presenting the next chapters in the life of James and Bob.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250067814
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	06/02/2015
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 5.40(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

James Bowen is a University Teacher of Fine Art at Loughborough University, UK and a member of the Drawing Research Group at the university. In 2024, James will be Guest Editor of an edition of the drawing research journal TRACEY titled 'Drawing and Sound'.

Editorial Reviews

Bowen's sequel to the international bestseller A Street Cat Named Bob is every bit as good as the first book...At it's core The World According to Bob is an age-old and simple lesson in the ways people and the animals who love them can work everyday miracles.” —Best Friends Magazine

“This smartly balanced blend of humor, pathos, and humility 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.” —Publishers Weekly

“The author's Street Cat Named Bob climbed onto the New York Times best-seller list as it touched the hearts of cat lovers...Now comes a sequel to that beguiling book, and this human-feline team has not lost any of its extraordinariness.” —Booklist (starred)

“A simple, heartwarming story of continued companionship and mutual trust and respect...sure to be another best-seller.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

★ 03/31/2014
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)

Publishers Weekly

2014-04-16
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.

Kirkus Reviews