AStreetCatNamedBobA Street Cat Named Bob is a true story about a man named James and his cat called Bob. When they first meet they are both in a less than ideal situation. James is living in sheltered accommodation, recovering from a drug dependency and earning a very small amount of money as a London street musician. Bob is an underfed stray with a worn coat and an infection. James knows the future is not looking good for Bob so scrapes together the little money he has to nurse the ginger tom back to health. James expects Bob to return to the streets and is surprised when Bob refuses to leave. Caring for Bob gives James the extra incentive he wanted to change his life for the better and years later the two are still together.

This is a book that could have been deeply depressing or overly cute but manages to maintain a good balance somewhere in-between. It focusses a lot on a cat but still reminds you of the difficulties and harshness of life on the streets. James talks about how he ended up being homeless and some of the abuse he receives from some homeless people, passers-by, and certain figures of authority. He talks about how homeless people are often ignored and how having Bob made more people want to talk to him again. Walking around with a cat on his shoulder (Bob’s preferred place) gave James a certain novelty value and he started to earn more money, but that comes with some resentment from several of the other homeless people.

It is written in a simple first-person style and sometimes you might wish there was more depth, but then you realize that is not what the book is about. James is not a writer and the various professional edits and improvements have managed to retain the casual style that makes it suitable for a younger audience but has enough edge for a more mature reader. You can read between the lines of the unassuming style and get a feel for some of the difficult moments without them being explicitly stated. This style gives it feeling of honesty. It also captures the way James will say something to Bob and gauge from the reaction what Bob thinks, which is something that will ring true with all animal-lovers.

There are some difficult moments in A Street Cat Named Bob. James was taking prescription methadone as a way to kick his heroin dependency but looking after Bob gave him the extra incentive to become completely free of drugs. James talks about his hallucinations, headaches, and involuntary twitches after he first stops taking methadone and how Bob keeps a watchful eye on him throughout the process.

As you might expect in a book featuring a cat here are some touching moments. In one part where Bob is frightened and runs off in Piccadilly Circus (if you are not familiar with it, Piccadilly Circus connects the major shopping areas of Piccadilly and Regent Street and is one of the busiest parts of London). You know things must end up alright in the end as it is only chapter 9 and there is over half the book left, but only the very cynical will not be feeling some sadness and worry as James chases after Bob expecting to never see him again followed by a sense of relief when the two are reunited.

Ultimately, this is an easy to read book that will keep you turning the pages. It is quite short but is an enjoyable glimpse into another life. You can take it however you want – a sweet tale about a cat, a look at hope and second chances, or a difficult story about the life of someone living on the streets. For me it was a little of all of them.