Bowen, James. A street cat named Bob, London : Hodder, 2012.

 

James Bowen has written a No. 1 bestselling book about his life as a street musician and recovering heroin addict and the street cat who he named Bob that helped turn his life around and brought his family back together after many years of  hopelessness and loneliness.   When he found an injured ginger cat in the hallway of his apartment block, James couldn’t resist helping him despite the fact that he was living hand to mouth on the streets of London, barely making enough money to feed himself. After a visit  to the local RSPCA vet, he managed to slowly nurse Bob back to health.  When Bob was fit enough he started following James to Covent Garden where he played his guitar to raise money for themselves, and despite his best efforts to stop him, Bob won in the end.  This book highlights the daily struggles of homeless people, and shows how the companionship and close bond that some pets offer can help them turn their lives around by giving them a sense of purpose and responsibility.  This book is a heart-warming, fast paced easy read.

 A street cat named Bob was nominated for the Galaxy National Book Award in 2012, and in on the Bestseller list  for:- The Times (London).