I love going to bookstores, seeing what's new and bestsellers, reading descriptions, photographing covers. Then I wait a year or two until these books appear in electronic form, download and read. The same story happened with James Bowen's book "Street Cat Named Bob". At that time, I and myself had a cat, so I reacted to the publication with curiosity.

The book is very easy to read and understand. The plot is based on real events. A young musician spends half of his life on drugs and is forced to earn money by begging to the accompaniment of his songs. When once again he decided to quit, he met a fat red and absolutely charming cat, who just came himself and just stayed to live. It was thanks to the cat Bob James that he managed not to break loose, survive the rejection of methadone (substitution therapy for drug addicts) and the subsequent withdrawal, start a new life and become a normal person. Thanks to the cat, he was first written about in a popular newspaper, and then the publisher offered to write a book.

I read the book as usual - avidly. If I open a novel, I either read it immediately, almost without interruption, or I abandon it. This time it was the first option. This happened about six months ago. Oh yes, I forgot to say. There are actually two books: "A street cat named Bob" and "The world through the eyes of Bob the cat. New adventures of a man and his red friend."

The main character throughout the book was not at all sorry. Drugs are his choice, albeit provoked by childhood trauma (parents' divorce). The fact that he repeatedly tried to quit and broke down speaks not so much about the weakness of character, but about the lack of motivation. When I read the book, the last thing I wanted to think about was the psychological and physiological prerequisites for drug addiction, its consequences, and so on. I wanted to know more: where is the cat? what about the cat? What's next for the cat? I worried when Bob felt bad, rejoiced when life returned to normal. The owner remained secondary. That's probably how it was intended, at least in the second book.

It is captivating that the story is biographical, very sincere and incredibly touching. And even though the author is a non-professional writer, I do not want (for once) to find fault with the language of the work, laugh at inappropriate speech constructions and criticize translators. Reading is boring. Description of life and nothing more. We got up, worked, returned, ate, slept. The cat got to the vet clinic a couple of times, got lost a couple of times... Funny or sad stories, bright moments, which books about animals usually abound in, are definitely not to be found here.

So, in my personal rating, "Street Cat Named Bob" gets 2 points for the mercy of the cat (everyone loves cats), 1 point for the frankness of the author. Here, in general, and all. Well, I’ll add another half point for having a great time reading about the life of a former drug addict and his personal red-haired mustachioed therapist Bob. More plus for nothing.

And as usual, a few of my favorite quotes:

Every day of our life gives us a second chance, we just have to lend a hand, but the problem is that we do not use it.

I don't know why people listen with admiration to stories of other people sinking to the bottom. I think part of it is like, "Thank God it didn't happen to me," and the realization that this can happen to anyone. I think it makes people appreciate what they have. Makes them think: "Maybe I'm not doing very well, but it could be worse"

I have a new goal in my life - to do something good not only for myself, but also for someone else.

Everyone needs a breather, everyone deserves a second chance.

It turns out that there is also a third book - "A Gift from Bob the Cat." It tells about how James and Bob celebrated Christmas, as well as James's attitude towards Christmas before Bob appeared and after the red face moved in with the author. And there are a bunch of all sorts of options for the type of adaptation for children. A total of 14 books, each of which retells the same story. Learn, kids, how to cut the loot

Now a few words about the film. The actor who plays the main character does not personally dislike me on the surface, which cannot be said about the real James Bowen.
I was quite surprised by the fact that the role of Bob the cat in the film was the cat Bob himself. This is a truly amazing cat, I tell you!
That's all praise for the film. It was interesting to watch, but not interesting. Already after the first minutes, it became clear: I would watch the tape to the end to find out how close they shot to the original source, and not at all because of the plot or spectacular visualization of book images.
In my opinion, the film is a collection of scenes torn from the book. Everything seems to be logical, especially for those who have not read the book, but I still have a sediment. In addition, the film is devoid of the main thing - touching and sincerity. I did not see on the screen a homeless cat, battered by fate, a homeless drug addict musician, also battered by fate. I saw a weak-willed loafer and his pet. The film does not have the idea of ​​"Together Against the World", which is in the book, at all. It does not carry out the main message of the book. The image of Bob is not revealed - and this is a shame, because he is the same main character as James. And even more important, because both the book and the movie are named after a cat.

Bob the cat is awesome!!!

I love real, fictional stories. This one is just one of those. The guys wandered together on the streets of London, and then became Real World Stars! Got a million views on YouTube, wrote a book, then another...

In any situation, you always need to remain a Human. No matter what trap or unpleasant situation you are in, you always have a choice - to go down even further down, or to pull yourself together and, step by step, rise up. And if you gather all your inner strength, Life will notice this and give you a nice bonus. As it happened with the author of this book :)

The point is not even in the "cat" on the cover, but in kindness, sincerity and friendship. And it's great that such sincere, honest books are published that are comfortable to read lying on the sofa under a soft blanket, hugging a domestic cat and listening to its most gentle rumbling ....

Anya Sklyar

Official Description:

In this story, the two main characters are James Bowen, a London street musician, and ginger Bob, a London street cat. They were homeless and lonely, but one day they met each other ...

James was dying from drugs and despair, there was no point in his life until a four-legged friend appeared in it, who helped him cope with problems, brought good luck and became a real guardian angel.

Now Bob and James (in that order!) are well known not only by the people of London who meet them on the streets, in the subway and cafes, but also by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. YouTube videos, Facebook photos, Twitter posts, and now a book written by James Bowen tell the amazing story of a friendship with a cat that changed his life.

And this is how street cat Bob looks in real life :)

A story that moved the world. London. In the life of homeless street musician James Bowen, who suffers from severe drug addiction and loneliness, a friend appears - the same stray Bob - a red street cat. The four-legged savior gave James good luck and a chance to start life anew. Now this eccentric couple has become a London landmark. Moreover, now the whole world knows about them - posts on social networks, dozens of videos on Youtube - they are all dedicated to Bob and James. The book tells in detail about the history of friendship between a cat and a man.

Lysyannikova Evgenia Viktorovna, chief librarian of the Service Department of the Central City Library of MBUK "CBS" in Lesosibirsk, Nazarenko Irina Vadimovna, chief librarian of the reading room of the Department of Service of the Central City Library of MBUK "CBS" in Lesosibirsk

Electronic reader's diary

James Bowen "Street Cat Named Bob"

Competition nomination

“Golden Shelf”, 16-18 years old

Book Information

Title and author of the book	Theme, idea of ​​the book	main characters	Plot	Date of reading
James Bowen "Street Cat Named Bob"	Theme: Friendship between a man and a cat in a difficult life situation. Idea: Caring for someone gives a person the opportunity to find the meaning of life and the possibility of further development.	In this story, the two main characters are James Bowen, a London street musician, and ginger Bob, a London street cat.	James was dying from drugs and despair, there was no point in his life until a four-legged friend appeared in it, who helped him cope with problems, brought good luck and became a real guardian angel	July 2015

book cover illustration

About the author of the book

James Bowen(Eng. James Bowen, born March 15, 1979, in Surrey) is a London-based writer and street musician. His books A Street Cat Named Bob and The World Through Bob the Cat, written with author Gary Jenkins, have become international bestsellers. Bowen was born in Surrey in March 1979. After his parents divorced, he moved to Australia with his mother and stepfather. Family life was stressful, and because the family moved frequently, James was not supervised at school. He was bullied at school. At the same time, in the field of education, Bowen became, by his own admission, a "daredevil child". In 1997, he returned to the UK and began to live with his half-sister. But this did not last long, and very soon Bowen became homeless and began to spend the night on the streets. It was during this time that he began using heroin in an attempt to escape the reality of being homeless. In the spring of 2007, Bowen was enrolled in the methadone program as a Covent Garden earner living in council housing in Tottenham. Wikipedia

About the book

The history of the creation of the book

One evening, James Bowen returned home and found a ginger cat in the stairwell. Assuming the cat belongs to someone, James simply returned to his apartment. When James found the cat on the porch the next day, he became worried and discovered that the cat was missing a collar and also noticed an infected wound on its paw. When James was convinced that none of the tenants claimed the cat, he decided to help him on his own. Bowen took the cat to the nearest charity veterinary surgery, and when antibiotics were needed to treat the animal's infected wounds, James gave almost all of the money he earned that day to buy them. To make sure that the cat had completed a full two-week course of treatment and the wound did not bother him anymore, Bowen decided to take him to his place for a while until the owner of the animal was found. When he could find absolutely no information about the cat's owner, he decided to just let him out, hoping that he would find his way home. But instead, the cat began to constantly follow James, even when he went to work as a busker on the bus. Worried that the cat had nowhere to go, James took the cat into his home full-time, naming him Bob after a character from the television drama Twin Peaks. Since Bob really enjoyed walking James to work, James made a lace harness and escorted him to his regular seats at Covent Garden and Piccadilly on the 73 bus, which Bob liked to snuggle up against the windows of. The public reaction was positive and the Bob-James couple became popular. James had to stop playing the guitar on the street, as he could get in trouble with the law. Instead, he found a safer and legal way to make money - selling "The Big Issue" magazines. When people started uploading videos of James and Bob on YouTube, tourists began to visit Covent Garden more often, sometimes even just to see them. It was then that James decided to stop his methadone treatment and stop using drugs. He explains his decision by the appearance of Bob, saying, "I believe it all came down to this little man. He came and asked me for help, and he asked for my help more than my body asked for self-destruction. He is the reason I now waking up every day... he definitely gave me the right direction to follow for the rest of my life." One day, James and Bob's public appearances caught the attention of the Islington Tribune. Islington Tribune who first published their story in September 2010. This story was read by Mary Paknos, the literary agent responsible for the UK rights to Marley and Me by John Grogan. Mary brought James Bowen together with Harry Jenkins to write a biography of James. Since its release, the book has sold over 1 million copies in the UK alone, has been translated into over 30 languages ​​(including Russian) and spent over 76 weeks at the top of The Sunday Times bestseller list. A Street Cat Named Bob and How He Saved My Life was published in the United States on July 30, 2013 and made the New York Times bestseller list. Wikipedia

Awards received by the book

"A Street Cat Named Bob" was nominated for the British National Book Award (UK's National Book Awards) in the popular category of non-fiction in November 2012. In March 2014, the book "A Street Cat Named Bob" hit ranked 7th in the list of most inspiring teen books as part of the poll for World Book Day.

Screen adaptations

Negotiations are currently underway to shoot a film based on the book "A Street Cat Named Bob" in Hollywood. The film version of Bowen's first book, A Street Cat Named Bob: How He Saved My Life, will begin filming in October 2015. British actor Luke Treadaway will play the title role of James Bowen. In contact with

Video reports about the book and its author

James Bowen and Bob the Cat on social media

Where can I find the book "Street Cat Named Bob" by James Bowen?

word cloud

mental map

Pleykast

photo collage

Booktrailer

Interactive poster

My impressions of the book

Once, on one of the shelves in the library, a book caught my attention, on the cover of which there was a cute red cat in a scarf. It was James Bowen's book, A Street Cat Named Bob. Already the first lines fascinated me, and I myself did not notice how I plunged into the life of the main characters.

This amazing story began on the streets of London, where the street musician James earned his living and livelihood with his work. He had to go through a lot, he had to sink to the very bottom - to be homeless, abandoned by his relatives, to depend on drugs, trying to drown out the pain from his uselessness and the indifference of those around him. On one of the usual evenings, returning home with a simple daily income, undergoing drug rehabilitation, James met in his porch an amazing, as it later turned out, personality - an emaciated, beaten by life, sick and wounded cat. The young man took pity on the animal and took it under his care. Despite the difficulties experienced, the street musician spent his last money to cure the cat, took care of him. Even in a difficult life situation, James shows such qualities as kindness, responsiveness, compassion. A young man gives a cat, accustomed to street life, freedom of choice, but he does not want to be alone anymore. James becomes the owner of the cat and names him Bob. Thus begins the biggest and touching friendship of two lonely souls - Bob the cat and James the man. Their relationship is best reflected in the statement of Antoine de Saint-Exupery: "We are responsible for those we have tamed." Taking the cat into the house, James feels responsible for him. He worries about the redhead like his own child. Subsequently, the musician learns that he got an unusual cat: “I got not just a cat, but a real personality, a cat with a character, the features of which I discovered every day.” The redhead goes to work with James and helps him by attracting the attention of passers-by by doing funny tricks. A tall man with a cat around his neck involuntarily makes people smile sincerely: “Bob noticeably added points to me in the eyes of others. Made something more than an ordinary tramp. It gave me back my human form, which I almost lost. I was a nobody, and now I'm becoming a man again. Gradually, Bob and his master become popular. Videos with their participation are posted on YouTube, write about them in newspapers. Despite such popularity, the inseparable couple will have to experience a lot on their way: illness, and the anger of ill-wishers, and the difficulties of releasing James from drug addiction. But their friendship, their warm attitude towards each other, care and support will help them not to lose heart, to strive for the best. And the hopes of friends will not be in vain.

James Bowen decides to tell his true story in a book. The work is written in an ordinary, accessible language, because its author is not a professional writer, he is an ordinary guy, of which there are many on the streets. It’s as if you see him sitting at the table ... He writes down his memories in his diary - good and bad, sad and touching, and next to him, comfortably curled up, a ginger cat is watching his master with an attentive and intelligent look. Yes, the author's style is simple, but close and understandable. And this very simple, no nonsense book tells about eternal values, finding its way to almost any reader's heart. The story of James and Bob teaches us to love, take care of the people around us and our little brothers, show kindness, never lose heart and never give up, believe in the best.

My impressions of working on a reader's diary

It was very interesting to work on the reader's diary. With the help of my diary, I was able to tell about my favorite book to those who have not yet read it. I also learned how to use various services on the Internet, which will be useful to me in the future. And this made my diary very bright and unusual. I wish there were more competitions like this!

James Bowen

A street cat named Bob

How man and cat found hope on the streets of London

Bryn Fox... and everyone who has lost friends

Soul mate

I read somewhere a famous quote that every day of our life gives us a second chance, we only have to lend a hand, but the problem is that we do not use it.

For most of my life I have proven the truth of these words. Opportunities abounded, sometimes multiple times a day. For a long time I did not pay attention to them, but everything changed in the early spring of 2007. Then I became friends with Bob. When I look back on that day, it seems to me that maybe he also got a second chance.

We first met on an overcast March evening. London hadn't completely shaken off the winter yet, so the streets were chilly, especially when the wind was blowing from the Thames. As the night froze noticeably, I returned to Tottenham a little earlier than usual after speaking to passers-by all day in Covent Garden Square.

A backpack and a black guitar case dangled behind me, and my close friend Belle walked beside me. Many years ago we met, and now we were just friends. That evening we planned to buy a cheap curry to go and watch a movie on a small black-and-white TV that I managed to get from a thrift store around the corner.

The elevator, as always, did not work; we prepared for the long journey to the sixth floor and set about climbing the first flight of stairs. Someone broke the light bulb on the landing, so the first floor was plunged into darkness; nevertheless I saw a pair of shining eyes in the semi-darkness. And when I heard a quiet plaintive meow, I realized to whom they belong.

Leaning down, I saw a ginger cat curled up on a rug near one of the doors. As a child, cats constantly lived in our house, and I always had warm feelings for these animals. Having examined the meowing stranger better, I realized that in front of me was a male. Although I had never seen him in our house before, even then, in the twilight, I could tell that this cat had character. He was not nervous at all, rather, on the contrary, he exuded restrained calmness and imperturbable confidence. The cat clearly felt at home on the landing; judging by the intent, slightly curious look of intelligent eyes, he perceived me as an uninvited guest on his territory. And as if asking: “Who are you and what brings you here?”

I could not stand it, sat down next to the cat and introduced myself.

Hello boy. Haven't seen you here before. Do you live here? I asked.

The cat looked at me with mock indifference, as if he was wondering if I should answer. I decided to scratch behind his ear: firstly, to make friends, and secondly, to check if he was wearing a collar or other signs that I had a house cat in front of me - it was not possible to discern in the dark whether he was well-groomed or not. . My new acquaintance turned out to be a vagabond; Well, London boasts a large number of stray cats.

The red-haired scratching behind the ear was to his liking: he began to rub against my hand. Stroking his back, I felt here and there a few bald patches. Yes, this cat would definitely need a good diet. And judging by the way he turned to me with one or the other side, a portion of care and affection would also be useful.

Poor cat... I think he's homeless. He doesn't have a collar, and look how skinny he is,” I said, looking back at Belle, who was patiently waiting on the stairs. She knew I had a weakness for cats.

No, James, you can't take it for yourself,” she said, nodding at the door of the apartment where the cat was perched. - He did not just come here - most likely, the owners live here somewhere. Maybe he's waiting for them to come home and let him in.

I reluctantly agreed with my friend. After all, I couldn't just take the cat to me, even if everything indicated that he had nowhere to go. I myself have only recently moved here and still trying to put things in order in the apartment. What if the owners really live in this house? It is unlikely that they will be happy to know that someone has appropriated their cat.

Moreover, I just lacked the extra responsibility now. A failing musician trying to get out of a drug addiction, barely able to earn enough money to pay for a simple meal, and living in a council apartment…and I couldn't really take care of myself.

* * *

Leaving the house the next morning, I met a ginger cat in the same place. Obviously, he had spent the last twelve hours on the rug - and he was not going to leave it. Dropping to one knee, I stroked the cat, and he again gratefully responded to the unexpected caress. He purred, enjoying the attention; although he was somewhat wary, I felt that he was gradually beginning to trust me.

In the light of day, it became clear that a luxurious animal had wandered into our house. The cat had an expressive muzzle and piercing green eyes; looking closely, I noticed several scratches on the paws and on the head. Apparently, he recently got into a fight. And the day before, I correctly assessed his condition - the cat was very thin, bald spots shone here and there on the skin. I was worried about the red-haired handsome man, but I had to remind myself that I had much more important reasons and concerns. With great reluctance, I got up from my knees, left the house and took a bus to the center of London - I again went to Covent Garden to play guitar in front of passers-by in the hope of earning some money.

Returning home at almost ten in the evening, the first thing I looked around for was the cat, but he was nowhere to be found. I confess, I was a little upset, because I managed to become attached to the redhead. And yet he breathed a sigh of relief: probably, the owners finally came home and let him in.

* * *

When the next day I went down to the first floor, my heart skipped a beat: the cat was sitting in the same place in front of the door. He just seemed even more miserable and shabby than before. He was obviously cold, hungry and trembling slightly.

So you're all sitting here, - I said, stroking the redhead. - You don't look well today.

At that moment, I decided that this had gone too far. And he knocked on the door of the apartment, chosen by the cat. I had to say something to its inhabitants. If it's their pet, you can't treat it like that. He needs to be fed and seen by a doctor.

The door was opened by an unshaven guy in a T-shirt and sweatpants. Judging by the sleepy face, I pulled him out of bed, although the time was approaching noon.

Sorry to bother you friend. Is this your cat? I asked.

For a few seconds he looked at me as if I had started.

What cat? he finally asked, then lowered his eyes and saw the redhead curled up on the rug.

A. No, - he said, shrugging his shoulders indifferently. - I see him for the first time.

He’s been sitting here for several days,” I insisted, but received only a blank look in response.

Yes? I must have smelled the food or something like that. But this is the first time I see him.

And the guy slammed the door.

And I already knew what to do.

So, friend, you will come with me, - I said, reaching into my backpack in search of a box of crackers - I specially carried it with me to treat the cats and dogs that came up to me when I played the guitar.

As soon as I shook the box, the cat jumped up, expressing his readiness to follow me with all his appearance. I noticed that he was not very good on his feet and was dragging his hind leg, so it took us a while to climb five flights of stairs. But after a few minutes, the cat and I were already entering the apartment.

Frankly speaking, my dwelling did not differ in the richness of the situation. The only furniture besides the TV was a used pull-out sofa and a mattress in the corner of the small bedroom; in the kitchen area were a toaster, a microwave, and a refrigerator that was about to expire. No stove. In addition to the above, the apartment was filled with books, videotapes and a lot of knick-knacks.

I confess that I am forty by nature: I constantly drag all sorts of things from the street into the house. At that time, I could boast of a broken-down parking machine in the corner and a broken mannequin in a cowboy hat. A friend once called my house a “curiosity shop”, but the cat did not honor these “treasures” with attention, immediately rushing to the kitchen.

I got a carton of milk from the fridge, poured it into a bowl and added a little bit of water. I knew that - contrary to popular belief - milk can be harmful to cats, since they are, in fact, lactose intolerant. The cat lapped up the treat in seconds.

As a second course, I offered the guest canned tuna mixed with crackers. And again the cat swallowed the food in the blink of an eye. "Poor fellow," I thought. “Probably starved.”

The book, which tells the story of London street musician James Bowen and a stray cat named Bob, who become inseparable friends and partners, won the hearts of many. Published under the title "A street cat named Bob" ("A street cat named Bob"), the book was in the top 10 bestsellers for six months.

Dying from drugs, James Bowen was kicked out of the house by his sister and her husband. For three years, a street musician, desperate from loneliness and the meaninglessness of his existence, lived on the street until he received a tiny apartment in north London from the local authorities.


Five years ago, James's life changed radically when he saw a wounded and bleeding ginger cat in his porch, which turned out to be homeless. The young man took him to his home, cured him and left, having spent all the money available.


An attempt to release the animal into the wild did not bring results: the cat was not going to leave his, perhaps the first owner in his life. He even began to "go to work" with him. While James sang, entertaining the passers-by of Covent Garden, the cat sat nearby. Over time, when the cat learned a couple of tricks, the fees of a street musician began to increase.


Refusing to consider himself the owner of a ginger street performer, James calls the cat a genius and his partner. Drugs have long ceased to exist in the life of a young man.

This amazing couple once caught the eye of literary agent Maria Panchos, who suggested that the street performer write a book. After six months of writing, luck awaited James here too: becoming a bestseller, his book, translated into 18 languages, brought the young man good money. Negotiations are currently underway to shoot a film based on the book "Street Cat Named Bob" in Hollywood.


A doting soul in his cat, James barely survived two cases when he ran away right during a street performance. In the first case, Bob was frightened by the sight of a man dressed in a fancy dress, and in the second case, a mastiff dog jumped on the cat. To the delight of the owner, a few hours later the cat returned.


Everything he has, James owes to his cat. Now the young man has money with which he can go to his mother in Australia, as well as pay off all his debts. And most importantly, according to James Bowen, he now has a family.