James Bowen got back on his feet after an extended period of homelessness and drug abuse--yet his life still seemed to have little meaning or direction. Busking in London's Covent Garden kept him alive but provided little in the way of larger goals. All that changed when Bowen came home one day to find a beat-up orange street cat hunched on a neighbor's mat. The cat refused to leave, so after a few days Bowen let him in and named him Bob--a decision that would change both their lives.
Bob soon began coming along on Bowen's busking trips, where his calm demeanor and friendly face made him a celebrity among passersby. Bowen's earnings improved thanks to Bob's presence until the pair were driven away from their usual spot by unfriendly Tube ticket agents. Not to be deterred, Bowen sought work selling magazines with Bob in tow. After a harrowing incident with a dog and assorted other adventures, Bowen realized that his relationship with Bob wasn't merely one of survival or convenience--it was a true friendship. Taking care of his new friend restored a sense of purpose to Bowen's life, giving him the strength to kick his drug dependency for good and to make amends with his family.
A Street Cat Named Bob is charmingly told, with little sappiness; Bowen makes no bones about the difficulties of his life, but neither does he over-romanticize his friendship with Bob. Strong pacing and vivid detail make this memoir perfect for cat lovers. --Dani Alexis Ryskamp, blogger at The Book Cricket