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Bob, der Streuner - Bob und wie er die Welt sieht: Die Katze, die mein Leben veränderte (James Bowen Bücher 1)
Bob, der Streuner.
Als James Bowen den verwahrlosten Kater vor seiner Wohnungstür fand, hätte man kaum sagen können, wem von beiden es schlechter ging. James schlug sich als Straßenmusiker durch, er hatte eine harte Zeit auf der Straße hinter sich. Aber dem abgemagerten, jämmerlich maunzenden Kater konnte er einfach nicht widerstehen, er nahm ihn auf, pflegte ihn gesund und ließ ihn wieder laufen. Doch Bob war anders als andere Katzen. Er liebte seinen neuen Freund mehr als die Freiheit und blieb.
Heute sind sie eine stadtbekannte Attraktion, ihre Freundschaft geht Tausenden zu Herzen ...
Bob und wie er die Welt sieht.
Seit Bob da ist, hat sich mein Leben sehr verändert. Ich war ein obdachloser Straßenmusiker ohne Perspektive und ohne eine Idee, was ich aus meinem Leben machen sollte. Nun stehe ich wieder mit zwei Beinen auf der Erde, ich habe die Vergangenheit hinter mir gelassen, aber ich weiß nicht, was die Zukunft bringen wird. Ich brauche wohl immer noch Unterstützung, um auf meinem Weg zu bleiben. Zum Glück steht mir Bob mit seiner Freundschaft und seiner Klugheit zur Seite.
Die wunderbare Geschichte der Freundschaft zwischen James und seinem Kater wurde mit "Bob, der Streuner" zum Welt-Bestseller. Im neuen Buch erzählt James, wie Bob ihm in harten Zeiten und selbst in lebensgefährlichen Situationen immer wieder den Weg weist.
Als James Bowen den verwahrlosten Kater vor seiner Wohnungstür fand, hätte man kaum sagen können, wem von beiden es schlechter ging. James schlug sich als Straßenmusiker durch, er hatte eine harte Zeit auf der Straße hinter sich. Aber dem abgemagerten, jämmerlich maunzenden Kater konnte er einfach nicht widerstehen, er nahm ihn auf, pflegte ihn gesund und ließ ihn wieder laufen. Doch Bob war anders als andere Katzen. Er liebte seinen neuen Freund mehr als die Freiheit und blieb.
Heute sind sie eine stadtbekannte Attraktion, ihre Freundschaft geht Tausenden zu Herzen ...
Bob und wie er die Welt sieht.
Seit Bob da ist, hat sich mein Leben sehr verändert. Ich war ein obdachloser Straßenmusiker ohne Perspektive und ohne eine Idee, was ich aus meinem Leben machen sollte. Nun stehe ich wieder mit zwei Beinen auf der Erde, ich habe die Vergangenheit hinter mir gelassen, aber ich weiß nicht, was die Zukunft bringen wird. Ich brauche wohl immer noch Unterstützung, um auf meinem Weg zu bleiben. Zum Glück steht mir Bob mit seiner Freundschaft und seiner Klugheit zur Seite.
Die wunderbare Geschichte der Freundschaft zwischen James und seinem Kater wurde mit "Bob, der Streuner" zum Welt-Bestseller. Im neuen Buch erzählt James, wie Bob ihm in harten Zeiten und selbst in lebensgefährlichen Situationen immer wieder den Weg weist.
- GenresNonfictionAudiobook
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2015
10 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
James Bowen
75 books1,074 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
James Bowen is an author and musician currently based in London. He is author of A Street Cat Named Bob, which tells his life story.
James Bowen was born in Surrey in 1979. Following his parents’ divorce, he moved to Australia with his mother and stepfather. Home life was tense and, because the family moved frequently, James was unsettled at school. He was frequently bullied, and began sniffing glue while still in education, becoming a self-confessed “tearaway kid” who would later be diagnosed with ADHD, schizophrenia and manic depression. In 1997 he returned to the UK and lived with his half-sister, but this arrangement did not last; in time, he became homeless and began sleeping on the streets. From this point, James spent almost 10 years either sleeping rough or staying briefly in charity-run shelters; it was during this time that he began to use heroin in an attempt to escape the realities of homelessness.
In Spring 2007, James was enrolled on a methadone programme, busking in Covent Garden, and living in sheltered accommodation in Tottenham. One evening he returned home to find a ginger cat in the hallway of his building; assuming it belonged to another resident, he simply returned to his flat. When the cat was still there the following day, and the day after that, James became concerned and discovered the cat was wearing no collar or ID tag, and had an infected wound on his leg. James checked with other residents to see if the stray belonged to any of them, and when none of them claimed ownership of the animal James decided to help the cat himself.
He took the cat to a nearby veterinary surgery run by an animal charity, which provided antibiotics to treat the infected wound. In order to make sure he received the full two-week course of medication, James decided to take him in for a time while he continued to look for the stray’s owner. When he couldn’t find any information, he released the cat back on to the street, hoping he’d find his own way home. Instead, he began to follow James around, even following him onto the bus when he left to go busking. Concerned that the cat had nowhere else to go, James took him in on a permanent basis, naming him Bob after a character from the television drama Twin Peaks.[3]
Since Bob seemed keen to accompany James to work, he constructed a harness from shoelaces and began to bring him along to his regular spots in Covent Garden and Piccadilly, travelling in the window seat of the number 73 bus. The public reaction was positive and the pair became popular, their visibility increasing still further when James began selling the Big Issue. Soon the public began uploading videos of James and Bob to YouTube, and tourists from across the world would visit Covent Garden to see them. During this time, James decided to withdraw the methadone treatment; he credits his success to Bob, saying “I believe it came down to this little man. He came and asked me for help, and he needed me more than I needed to abuse my own body. He is what I wake up for every day now... he’s definitely given me the right direction to live my life.”
In time, James and Bob’s public appearances attracted the attention of Mary Pachnos, the literary agent responsible for the UK rights to John Grogan’s Marley and Me, who secured the pair a book deal with the publishers Hodder & Stoughton after she heard their story. The book was co-written by Garry Jenkins, and since its publication has sold over 250,000 copies, been translated into 22 languages and spent over 45 weeks at the top of the Sunday Times’ bestseller list in both its hardback and paperback format.
As of November 2012, two further books were at the planning stage - a follow-up to A Street Cat Named Bob, and a version of the book for children.
James Bowen is an author and musician currently based in London. He is author of A Street Cat Named Bob, which tells his life story.
James Bowen was born in Surrey in 1979. Following his parents’ divorce, he moved to Australia with his mother and stepfather. Home life was tense and, because the family moved frequently, James was unsettled at school. He was frequently bullied, and began sniffing glue while still in education, becoming a self-confessed “tearaway kid” who would later be diagnosed with ADHD, schizophrenia and manic depression. In 1997 he returned to the UK and lived with his half-sister, but this arrangement did not last; in time, he became homeless and began sleeping on the streets. From this point, James spent almost 10 years either sleeping rough or staying briefly in charity-run shelters; it was during this time that he began to use heroin in an attempt to escape the realities of homelessness.
In Spring 2007, James was enrolled on a methadone programme, busking in Covent Garden, and living in sheltered accommodation in Tottenham. One evening he returned home to find a ginger cat in the hallway of his building; assuming it belonged to another resident, he simply returned to his flat. When the cat was still there the following day, and the day after that, James became concerned and discovered the cat was wearing no collar or ID tag, and had an infected wound on his leg. James checked with other residents to see if the stray belonged to any of them, and when none of them claimed ownership of the animal James decided to help the cat himself.
He took the cat to a nearby veterinary surgery run by an animal charity, which provided antibiotics to treat the infected wound. In order to make sure he received the full two-week course of medication, James decided to take him in for a time while he continued to look for the stray’s owner. When he couldn’t find any information, he released the cat back on to the street, hoping he’d find his own way home. Instead, he began to follow James around, even following him onto the bus when he left to go busking. Concerned that the cat had nowhere else to go, James took him in on a permanent basis, naming him Bob after a character from the television drama Twin Peaks.[3]
Since Bob seemed keen to accompany James to work, he constructed a harness from shoelaces and began to bring him along to his regular spots in Covent Garden and Piccadilly, travelling in the window seat of the number 73 bus. The public reaction was positive and the pair became popular, their visibility increasing still further when James began selling the Big Issue. Soon the public began uploading videos of James and Bob to YouTube, and tourists from across the world would visit Covent Garden to see them. During this time, James decided to withdraw the methadone treatment; he credits his success to Bob, saying “I believe it came down to this little man. He came and asked me for help, and he needed me more than I needed to abuse my own body. He is what I wake up for every day now... he’s definitely given me the right direction to live my life.”
In time, James and Bob’s public appearances attracted the attention of Mary Pachnos, the literary agent responsible for the UK rights to John Grogan’s Marley and Me, who secured the pair a book deal with the publishers Hodder & Stoughton after she heard their story. The book was co-written by Garry Jenkins, and since its publication has sold over 250,000 copies, been translated into 22 languages and spent over 45 weeks at the top of the Sunday Times’ bestseller list in both its hardback and paperback format.
As of November 2012, two further books were at the planning stage - a follow-up to A Street Cat Named Bob, and a version of the book for children.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 25, 2024
Erstes Buch 5/5. Zweites war eeetwas schlechter
January 1, 2025
Easy to read , I personally found it quite repetitive
December 11, 2017
Das erste Buch war wirklich nett, wenn auch manchmal so kitschig, dass ich kaum glauben kann, dass es wirklich alles so geschehen sein soll.
Das zweite Buch war einfach nur inhaltsleer...
Das zweite Buch war einfach nur inhaltsleer...
July 3, 2024
I enjoyed this book, I liked hearing about Bob's behavior. I think pets can feel feelings that humans sometimes don't perceive. It's wonderful that the story was true. James was able to improve his life with the help of Bob a cat. In life, it is important to establish good and deep connections, and sometimes it is not easy.
July 8, 2024
This is a wonderful heartwarming and also very sad book about life and it’s ups and downs and how animals can bring out the best in humans (most of the time anyway) if you are a cat lover this book is definitely for you.
May 7, 2024
An easy read that just a beautiful true story.
August 1, 2020
About the book: A Street Cat Called Bob -
James is a recovering drug addict and is living in shetlererd in accommodation. He is trying to survive by busking on the street of London. His life suddendly changes when he comes across a stray cat (Bob) that is in need of help. After, James provides him with assistance, he attempts to put him back on the streets as he feels he is unable to look after another living being. However, Bob is having non of this. Through the power of this feline and human friendship, their lives changed in more ways than could ever be imagined.
The World According To Bob - A collection of mini stories of James and Bob's life together.
My Review: A Street Cat Called Bob- This is a wonderful - once in a lifetime type of book! This true story filled me with such a mixture of emotions from happiness to panic. There were a few occasions where I was brought to tears. I truly felt a connection to James and Bob. It was like I was on their rollercoaster journey with them. James also provides interesting facts about cats, homelessness, drug addiction and The Big Issue Magazine. Many areas that I feel need highlighting in our modern society.
There was no over descriptions. A great balance of show and tell. Also the entire book was paced perfectly. I admire James for showing the world how a feline/human friendship really can have a postive impact on life.
I do understand James has had bad experiences of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and their owners on the streets of London. However, I do feel the author may have added to the stigma of this wonderful breed. I know some awful people use this breed as fighter dogs. Yet, this is not the breeds fault and it causes severe cruelty to the dogs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier are wonderful and intelligent dogs - Please don't judge
The Word According To Bob - I enjoyed reading more about James and Bob's adventures together. A mixture of light uplifting read and hardship.
Slightly repetitive in parts, especially if you have read the first book.
Triggers - Mild Violence, Drug Addiction, Bullying, Homelessness, cruelty to animals.
I truly enjoyed this book and I will be seeking further of Jame's books in the future. I am sorry to hear about Bob's recent death. My heart goes out to the author. I highly recommend this book.
Disclaimer: My Book Reviews are based on my own opinions and experiences only.
James is a recovering drug addict and is living in shetlererd in accommodation. He is trying to survive by busking on the street of London. His life suddendly changes when he comes across a stray cat (Bob) that is in need of help. After, James provides him with assistance, he attempts to put him back on the streets as he feels he is unable to look after another living being. However, Bob is having non of this. Through the power of this feline and human friendship, their lives changed in more ways than could ever be imagined.
The World According To Bob - A collection of mini stories of James and Bob's life together.
My Review: A Street Cat Called Bob- This is a wonderful - once in a lifetime type of book! This true story filled me with such a mixture of emotions from happiness to panic. There were a few occasions where I was brought to tears. I truly felt a connection to James and Bob. It was like I was on their rollercoaster journey with them. James also provides interesting facts about cats, homelessness, drug addiction and The Big Issue Magazine. Many areas that I feel need highlighting in our modern society.
There was no over descriptions. A great balance of show and tell. Also the entire book was paced perfectly. I admire James for showing the world how a feline/human friendship really can have a postive impact on life.
I do understand James has had bad experiences of Staffordshire Bull Terriers and their owners on the streets of London. However, I do feel the author may have added to the stigma of this wonderful breed. I know some awful people use this breed as fighter dogs. Yet, this is not the breeds fault and it causes severe cruelty to the dogs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier are wonderful and intelligent dogs - Please don't judge
The Word According To Bob - I enjoyed reading more about James and Bob's adventures together. A mixture of light uplifting read and hardship.
Slightly repetitive in parts, especially if you have read the first book.
Triggers - Mild Violence, Drug Addiction, Bullying, Homelessness, cruelty to animals.
I truly enjoyed this book and I will be seeking further of Jame's books in the future. I am sorry to hear about Bob's recent death. My heart goes out to the author. I highly recommend this book.
Disclaimer: My Book Reviews are based on my own opinions and experiences only.
August 1, 2019
Animals can touch hearts and save human lives in many more ways than one. Bob is just one such amazing example. He meet his new human James, as both of them are at their very lowest. Together they embarked on a journey of healing and growth. Through feeling responsible for Bob, James Bowen, a drug addict slowly learns life skills which ultimately free him from his addictions and start him on his path to a stable successful life. These two books in one are uplifting, at times very sad, then funny again and vice versa. An angel in feline form?
February 10, 2019
Klar ist das (Hör)Buch keine literarisches Wunderwerk, aber die Geschichten über Bob und seinen Besitzer sind lesens/hörenswert, wenn man das erste Buch gelesen hat und sich dabei gefragt hat, wie es weiterging und wie das erste Buch zustande kam.
April 20, 2016
tolle Story, hat mir total gefallen
January 4, 2021
A heartwarming story about the beautiful friendship between a cat and its "owner". Sad and funny at the same time. I love this book and I definitely recommend reading it.
August 19, 2018
Tolles Tagebuch als Abwechslung zum lesen verschiedener bücher
August 21, 2019
Obwohl ich kein Katzenmensch bin, war diese Geschichte sehr unterhaltsam.
February 21, 2020
Sehr liebe Tiergeschichte. Ich mag generell Bücher mit wahrem Hintergrund :)
Kann ich sehr empfehlen.
Kann ich sehr empfehlen.
May 1, 2020
Loved this book!!
Story about faith, hope and love and what companionship can do for somebody. Definitely worth the read.
Story about faith, hope and love and what companionship can do for somebody. Definitely worth the read.
July 11, 2020
I really liked a street cat named bob but lost a little interest toward the end of the world according to Bob. Overall a very good read though and I’d definitely recommend it :)
June 6, 2021
Brilliant! This book made me laugh and cry. A truly brilliant story.
The follow up is equally interesting and recommend to anyone who has an interest in cats. A TrueType heartwarming story.
The follow up is equally interesting and recommend to anyone who has an interest in cats. A TrueType heartwarming story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews