• There's a Bear in the House!

  • By: Walter Kirn
  • Narrated by: Walter Kirn
  • Length: 47 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (101 ratings)

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There's a Bear in the House!  By  cover art

There's a Bear in the House!

By: Walter Kirn
Narrated by: Walter Kirn
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Publisher's summary

From the New York Times bestselling author of Up in the Air comes a short and heartwarming true story about fathers and sons and how to say goodbye when there’s nothing left to say.

The last wish of Walter Kirn’s terminally ill father is to spend his final days in his remote Montana cabin. Trapped in life’s loneliest predicament, he sticks with his pleasures: nature, Murder, She Wrote, and reminiscing with his adult son. The only thing Walter didn’t foresee is the bear rooting outside his father’s sickroom window - a bold and curious yearling with whom Walter forms a unique and consoling bond.

©2021 Walter Kirn. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

What listeners say about There's a Bear in the House!

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Short and sweet

Interesting slice of two lives. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and six more words are required.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Funny, vivid, and moving

Kirn’s voice is incredibly engaging. He uses humor, self awareness and vivid description to bring listeners into his life and memories. A very moving story.

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Exceeded expectation

The last few weeks of a son with his dying father. Deftly done. I am not typically a fan of Walter Kirn, but his execution of this very short piece was outstanding.

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3 people found this helpful

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Short but sweet, and then some.

This is how it feels. Heavy. So poignant. So true. It's funny how unless you have been there, experienced it, you're not sure. but this pulls out the wet blanket that encapsulates you and if you were to put it on paper when it is all said and done...this is how it feels. if you are aware enough to equate it. I've seen the bear myself. Bravo.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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WHAT A BEAUTIFUL COMFORTING STORY

I thoroughly enjoyed this thoughtfully written story with a difficult situation and confronting realism of relationships, death, peace and comfort.
Recommended

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  • 10-12-23

I’ve seen the bear too

There will be a time in everyone’s life when they see the bear. Some of us more than once.

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Wonderful!

I love Walter Kirn’s writing. This personal essay about his father’s final days and the time after his death was both moving and entertaining. A wonderful listen!

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Loved It!

Short, sweet and so very touching. Once I started listening, I could not stop until the story was over.

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very good

I loved this book. It reminded me of Tuesdays with Morrie. very touching memory of a father and son's complicated relationship in such a short concise easy form.

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4 people found this helpful

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If you like Kirn, till like this story

A thoughtful and lucid short story about the loss of a father. I listened to it on a walk and enjoyed it thoroughly

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