Nevermore: Guilty One, Anthill, Street Cat Named Bob, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Silenced

One of the first books mentioned in this meeting was actually a title several members had read last year:  The Guilty One by Lisa Ballantyne, but no one could recall author or title at the time.  It was a debut novel about a British lawyer with a troubled past who is called upon to defend a boy accused of murder.  The book certainly made a strong impression on our members, even as they read the similarly themed The Child Who by Simon Lelic and Defending Jacob by William Landay. All three books are highly recommended.

Anthill by E.O. Wilson was praised for its good character development but our reader was uncertain about a direction the book was taking.  Wilson is a professor of entomology at Harvard and a noted expert on ants.  In this book, the reader starts following the adventures of a boy, but then the narrative turns to another world entirely:  that of the ants, though the parallels with human society are obvious.  Readers and critics alike have been divided on this book, the first novel from the noted non-fiction author.  Wilson’s appreciation for the natural world is reflected in his finely observed descriptions, even as he declines to Disneyfy it.

Foggy Mountain Breakdown is a collection of short stories by Sharyn McCrumb.  While some of the stories are set in her native Appalachia, some travel farther afield. Our reader suggested that Jeanne read "Nine Lives to Kill," which (surprise, surprise!) is about a cat, or rather, a man who becomes a cat which brings some unexpected cat-like tendencies and preoccupations.  The tone varies, including some amusing stories along with the poignant.  McCrumb is an excellent storyteller, and most of the stories in this collection showcase that gift.

Silenced by Kristina Ohlsson is a Nordic Noir set in Sweden where a special crimes unit begins to investigate some seemingly unrelated crimes:  the apparent murder-suicide of a clergyman and his wife, and a hit and run death.   Ohlsson provides excellent characterization of the members of the unit, including their personal trials, as well as a good plot which deals in part with the problems of immigration.  This is the second book in the series to be translated into English and our reviewer encourages anyone who enjoys books set in Scandanavia to give Ohlsson a try.

Finally, one reader mentioned how much she enjoyed A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen, the true story of a drug-addicted busker in London who saved a stray cat.  Bob the cat recovered and became so attached to James that he followed him to the street corners where James played music for tips.  Inspired by his need to care for Bob, James was able to end his drug dependency. Honest and heartwarming, the book has spent weeks on the best seller list around the world.  A second book, The World According to Bob, is out in the UK, with a children’s book to follow.

A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen

Reviewed by Jeanne

In 2007, James Bowen was a down and nearly out street musician in London, getting by on tips from passersby.  He had no real direction; he was just scraping by, living in government subsidized housing, and with a drug habit he hadn’t been able to break.  Then one day he rescued a sick cat and his life hasn’t been the same since.

He dubbed the cat Bob, and fully expected him to return to wherever he came from once he was better, but Bob had other ideas.  He started following James to work, drawing a crowd who couldn’t believe the cat wasn’t really part of the act.  Before long, James and Bob were inseparable, and James’ need to be able to take care of his feline buddy gave him the strength and purpose he needed to try to get his life in order and to reunite with his estranged family in Australia.  It wasn’t easy, and there were a lot of setbacks along the way, but it’s no secret that James and Bob triumph in the end. 

The pleasure of this book is in the plainspoken honesty with which James tells his story, and the wonderful relationship between man and cat.   This isn’t a slick, packaged tale but a heartfelt account of what it means to have someone who depends on and believes in you unconditionally.  I understand that James had some help composing his book, but if he did the helper was careful to let James' personality shine through.

I also really enjoyed the description of London and the other buskers who ply their trades there; as might be guessed, there are a number of turf wars over prime spots.  I’ve seen street performers in many places but had never thought much about what it was like to earn one’s living that way.  I was most struck by the sense of isolation James conveys:  how often people are reluctant to even acknowledge the presence of a performer, never making eye contact, or exchanging a word.  Having Bob accompany him was a breakthrough, because people were more likely to interact or at least respond in some way—even if some of the responses were negative.

Later, as James tries to straighten out his life, he begins selling Big Issue, a project whereby the homeless and unemployed are encouraged to become vendors.  It's a bit much to explain in a review, but basically they are set up with issues of the magazine to start them off earning their own money so they can take control of their lives.  (There is an American version as well.) Having Bob as his selling partner drew customers, but also drew the ire of some competitors.

Best of all, this feel good story has a happy ending that just keeps on going:  not only is Bob still alive, but he and James are thriving.  A Street Cat Named Bob came out in the UK in 2012 and became an international best seller.  The American version is out now.  A second book, The World According to Bob, has just been published in the UK.  James and Bob have a very active Facebook page, where fans post pictures of the book in settings from all over the world, or as James calls it, “Around the World in Eighty Bobs.”   So here is Bob in Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee:

Bob visits the state line marker NOT in the middle of the street.

Bob at Bristol Public Library

And of course, Melon "meets" Bob!