A Street Cat Named Bob

And How He Saved My Life

By: James Bowen

Narrated by: Kristopher Milnes

Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

When street musician James Bowen found an injured cat curled up in the hallway of his apartment building, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. James was living hand to mouth on the streets of London, barely making enough money to feed himself - the last thing he needed was a pet. Yet, James couldn't resist helping the strikingly intelligent, but very sick animal, whom he named Bob. He slowly nursed Bob back to health and then sent the cat on his way, never imagining that he would see him again. But Bob had other ideas.

©2012 James Bowen and Garry Jenkins (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Three Cheers for Bob and James!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
If you love animals, buy this book. If you love cats, definitely buy this book. If you love a story that's gritty but has plenty of hope and joy, oh, please! Buy this book! You'll be so happy you did. This was a straight through, "cover-to-cover" listen for me (which is quite life-disrupting, but oh, well...!)

What other book might you compare A Street Cat Named Bob to and why?
This is in the vein of all feel-good animal books. You'll love this if you're read the books about Dewey the Library Cat. And though they're not quite in the same vein or up to the same standards of "literature," "All Creatures, Great and Small," is just as delightful. But "A Streetcat Named Bob" also brings out elements of how people survive on the streets, what it's like to be at rockbottom, and what it's like to be invisible to society. This is a book about dignity, survival, and hope. And learning to live after making, perhaps, self-destructive choices.

Which character – as performed by Kristopher Milnes – was your favorite?
Kristopher Milnes so captured James that I was startled to hear the "actual" James when I was doing YouTube searches. (Yes, you can find James and Bob on YouTube if you'd like to see the duo in action). He really conveys hopelessness, conveys joy well. He made this book as authentic as it gets. Mind you, there's a just a sprinkling of profanity in this, and Mr. Milnes delivers it with the anger and frustration with the situation that it deserves. I hope James Bowen was satisfied with the performance because it really, really works well with this audiobook and with the tone of the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
There were so many moments that moved me, and some would feel like spoilers to write down. But suffice it to say that the bond between Bob and James will move you. My cats adore me, this I know. But walk with me in a harness? Sit by my feet among a crowd, trusting me to protect them? Bob is truly special. But James pretty much rocks too!One scene, when Bob, in absolute terror in an extreme situation, runs off shows the complete breakdown of James, leaving all behind in order to find his beloved cat. This from a man who has as close to nothing as it gets: he's absolutely willing to lose it all to find his buddy, the extraordinary Bob.

Any additional comments?
Unlike the feel-good animal books mentioned, there's plenty of social commentary here that makes this book unique. You will see what the streets are like. You will see what it's like to be someone struggling to make the right choices when there are few resources. Bravo to James! And hugs to Bob!
For more reviews, of all genres, but especially Pet Day/Month audiobooks, check out AudiobookAccomplice.com

Man and Cat in Need of One Another

A cat is sitting inside an apartments vestibule. The apartments are for those you are trying to get back onto their feet from varying difficulties. James problem is his addiction to heroin. The cat is also having a problem. He has no place where to live and needs to find that special someone who needs him and a place to live. James is the man and the cat knows this. The only problem is, the cat has to prove this to James. But don't worry because this cat whom James names Bob, is one smart cat.

Read this book and you'll be able to find out just how these two, the cat, Bob and James, came together and found out that there was a special place in each other's lives for one another. Being together fills a place in each of their hearts that needed healing.

This book is absolutely wonderful and encouraging. There are animals and people who can and are able to help and heal one another. This relationship, in the book, A Street Car Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life, is exactly that. The book is a pleasure to listen too.

The narration was also great. There are times in the memoir where the reader might laugh, feel anger and maybe even want to let a tear drop. The narrator inserted these feelings in his voice very well. The characters are well developed and Bob, the cat, is one of the 2 main character's. The writing was easy to understand and the words flowed from chapter to chapter. The book maintained its plot throughout. Sit back and be ready for a one day listen, if possible. I didn't make a mistake purchasing this book and I don't think that you will either.

How does a cat saves someone from drugs?

Where does A Street Cat Named Bob rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Good story, Great narrator - I even got very emotional a few times, maybe one of the top 50.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Street Cat Named Bob?

The story of how James Bowen met Bob is just one of those amazing tales you find in novels. James became so committed about looking after this one cat that it made him want to become a better person and drop his addiction. Becoming famous was just one extra; James is still cashing in because of Bob, but is not likely that Bob minds very much.

What about Kristopher Milnes’s performance did you like?

The narrator does a great job at performing naturally; it's like listening to a close friend telling about his life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A laughed most times, got worried a few and had a few tears running down my face specially towards the end of the book. And that is not usual for me.

James and Bob won my heart

What made the experience of listening to A Street Cat Named Bob the most enjoyable?

Knowing it is a true story! It restored my faith in the kindness of humans and willingness to sacrifice for our animal companions. Seeing how they reward our kindness with their love.

What did you like best about this story?

The way it proves "what goes around comes around." James used his last bit of money to help Bob and was rewarded by Bob helping him in more ways than one.

What about Kristopher Milnes’s performance did you like?

I did not realize he wasn't James Bowen. He sounds just like you would expect James to sound.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes even though I've never done that with any book.

Any additional comments?

I thought this was probably some little-known book! I did not find out until I finished listening to it that it had become a bestseller and a movie, videos were on You Tube, and it had a Facebook fan page. I was very happy to hear that it had brought fame and fortune to James and Bob. I feel it is well deserved.

I love stories like this--

This is a tug-at-your-heart, feel-good story if there ever was one!

Bob the cat enters James' life as he is trying to recover from several bad years, including drug addiction and homelessness. Bob essentially gives James a reason to live and move forward, and not slide back into his old life. That is the power of the animals in our lives--

You root for this pair throughout the book, and hope they continue to thrive. And I see there is a second book out in which their story continues--I will definitely listen to that one soon!!

Remarkable Tale of Bob's shepherding of his provider

What a moving story of moving from despair and addiction to recovery and hope! All accomplished by a street cat named Bob!
James feels that Bob came to him via Karma.
Kristopher narrates this tale so well, he makes you think you are listening to the author! Good work!

How a Cat Can Change Your Life

Love cats, loved Bowen's memoir, loved Bob, his cat, and all the Londoners who befriended Bob and helped Bowen and impacted their lives all to the better. Enjoyable as an audio book. A great read.

An Amazing Tale of Love and Friendship

Would you consider the audio edition of A Street Cat Named Bob to be better than the print version?

Both are excellent but the audio narrator is perfect for this story

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Street Cat Named Bob?

When Bob made it clear that he and James were a team, by following him to work.

Which scene was your favorite?

It's hard to pick out a single scene, but I suppose the moment that the group of Spanish students told James about Bob's fame on You Tube was one of my favorites

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many, This book tells a story of the developing relationship of a cat and a young man who need each each other. It's not an exaggeration to say that they saved one anther's life

Any additional comments?

This is a wonderful read, (or listen) if you want a heartwarming story that will leave you happier than you were before you read it, Well this is it!

Heartwarming and Inspiring

I recently finished listening for the first time to the audiobook version of A STREET CAT NAMED BOB: AND HOW HE SAVED MY LIFE, and also the follow up book THE WORLD ACCORDING TO BOB.

I am a cat lover and expected this to be mostly cute stories about Bob himself. There were those. However, to my surprise, I found myself very moved by James Bowen’s story of overcoming homelessness and drug addiction. After listening to the book, I had a much greater awareness and much deeper compassion for those who are homeless, whether human or animal, and to those who are struggling to overcome addictions.

It is no small thing to find one’s purpose in life. To do that, one has to know what love is, who and what is worth loving, and be able to accept love. That means also being able to love oneself. It was a real joy to see how Bob helped James to find his purpose and to live it out. To move others to be more loving, as James moved me toward the homeless and the addicted, is the ultimate purpose of all of our lives. Still, as special as Bob is, Bob could not make decisions for James. Only James could and did do that. James' honesty about the difficulty that he had in making good life decisions and sticking to them, and how Bob helped him to do that was what made this book so enlightening and inspiring.

I would highly recommend reading both of these two books, as THE WORLD ACCORDING TO BOB answered alot of questions that I had at the end of A STREET CAT NAMED BOB. STREET CAT ends just before James and Bob begin their careers and authors and spokesmen for the homeless. THE WORLD picks up with how they began that career, how it changed their lives, and what their lives are now like.

This really connects with me.

I really connected with the authors experience with caring for Bob and Bob's unique purrsonality, so to speak. I've been involved with cat rescue as both a transporter and foster of many cats who were either strays or owner surrenders and wound up at animal control or were taken in off the streets by caring and compassionate people like the author. Many have been rehabilitated and found loving forever homes. Many more are still in need. I hope this book and the subsequent film help in that cause. Thank you Bob and Mr. Bowen . Five stars across the board from me and a thumbs up.