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A Street Cat Named Bob: and How He Saved My Life
- GenresNonfictionCats
Hardcover
Published July 30, 2013
6 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
James Bowen
76 books1,073 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 12, 2025
A sweet, endearing, and heartwarming read. At times it brought tears to my eyes and at others, it left me smiling until my cheeks hurt.
Beyond the touching bond between James and Bob, the story made me reflect on how easily, and often unfairly, we judge people who live on the streets.
It also reminded me of the power of second chances and the unexpected ways hope can enter our lives.
I would recommend this moving book to readers of any age or background.
Beyond the touching bond between James and Bob, the story made me reflect on how easily, and often unfairly, we judge people who live on the streets.
It also reminded me of the power of second chances and the unexpected ways hope can enter our lives.
I would recommend this moving book to readers of any age or background.
February 6, 2025
Wow, I’m fairly certain the people who felt compelled to criticize the “writing” here, probably lost the books meaningful purpose. They probably don’t understand meditation. “No time”, they say. Anywho…
My experience was emotional because the author’s life was truly changed because of Bob,and what a gift that is. They saved each other’s lives and I appreciate Mr Bowens perspective as he shares their story. It will pull at your heartstrings and hopefully give you a deeper sense of appreciation for the beauty of non verbal communication
My experience was emotional because the author’s life was truly changed because of Bob,and what a gift that is. They saved each other’s lives and I appreciate Mr Bowens perspective as he shares their story. It will pull at your heartstrings and hopefully give you a deeper sense of appreciation for the beauty of non verbal communication
March 6, 2025
Super quick little read. A good inspiring story ❤️
August 17, 2025
A story of second chances. James is a recovering addict who, after adopting a friendly and lovable streetcat named Bob, is finally ready to move forward with his drug recovery for a fuller life.
I identify as more of a dog person, but the orange tabby, Bob won my heart as well as the hearts of all those who encountered him on the streets of London.
It is a story of survival, friendship, and repairing strained family relationships.
I spent time in Tasmania as a college student, and I was pleasantly surprised to read that the author's mother had moved there and invited him to visit during his recovery process.
It is a story that exemplifies the universal human experience of wanting to be seen and to feel a sense of purpose.
Reading that the author wanted to give back to the charities that helped him get back on his feet gives me faith in humanity that we as a people can look out for each other and the animals we love, too.
I identify as more of a dog person, but the orange tabby, Bob won my heart as well as the hearts of all those who encountered him on the streets of London.
It is a story of survival, friendship, and repairing strained family relationships.
I spent time in Tasmania as a college student, and I was pleasantly surprised to read that the author's mother had moved there and invited him to visit during his recovery process.
It is a story that exemplifies the universal human experience of wanting to be seen and to feel a sense of purpose.
Reading that the author wanted to give back to the charities that helped him get back on his feet gives me faith in humanity that we as a people can look out for each other and the animals we love, too.
dnf
October 11, 202484 pages in. Can't see the story going anywhere for me.
July 30, 2024
James Bowen is a street musician living hand to mouth in London. One day he finds an injured cat in his apartment building. He tried ignoring the cat for a few days and then decided to take care of him.
From that day forward his life started to change.
He had to nurse Bob, the cat, back to health.
And his life started to change.
He had to make enough money to feed himself and the cat.
As well as the vet costs and other items the cat needed.
And so began James' story about how rescuing the cat started to change his life around
and gave him a purpose.
His tough life on the streets started to improve as he had to think of the cat too and not just himself.
Heartwarming tale!
From that day forward his life started to change.
He had to nurse Bob, the cat, back to health.
And his life started to change.
He had to make enough money to feed himself and the cat.
As well as the vet costs and other items the cat needed.
And so began James' story about how rescuing the cat started to change his life around
and gave him a purpose.
His tough life on the streets started to improve as he had to think of the cat too and not just himself.
Heartwarming tale!
December 3, 2025
I've had this in my Audible library for years and finally got around to listening to it!
It is a great story about an extraordinary cat and his owner. If you are one of the few who've never heard about Bob before, go ahead and read this book or listen to the audio book!! By now there's even a movie about them, which is very good, too!
If you've heard of them before, well, what are you waiting for? Go read the book or better yet, listen to the audio book! The narrator has done an awesome job with this one!
It is a great story about an extraordinary cat and his owner. If you are one of the few who've never heard about Bob before, go ahead and read this book or listen to the audio book!! By now there's even a movie about them, which is very good, too!
If you've heard of them before, well, what are you waiting for? Go read the book or better yet, listen to the audio book! The narrator has done an awesome job with this one!
June 28, 2025
I admit I just looked at my library app to find an audio “ available now” read as I had some road trips miles coming up …. I also am a cat lover so sounded good to me. Well I truly enjoyed the read/listen…. And fell in love with Bob the cat… loved that it was a true story and glad that it turned out the way it did… I always wanted to keep driving when I was listening to this book. 😻
August 17, 2025
An inspiring memoir about life giving you a second chance and how hard that chance is when battling addiction and life on the streets. We all need support to win that battle, and sometimes it can be found in 4 little paws.
November 9, 2025
Uplifting story of a lost man and a lost cat - finding each other and helping each other. Listening to the audio book was especially pleasant as the narrator has an English accent and the setting for the book is London.
November 25, 2025
What a book ! I first bought it because the cover was the funniest/ugly in the library haha ! But from the first page, until the end, I fell in love with the characters. Right after finishing the book I’ve watched the movie, and now I really want to travel to England just to see Bob.
May 12, 2024
Loved this book!
October 12, 2024
Great book)
October 20, 2024
A different read for me but enjoyable.
April 19, 2025
this was a lovely wee book that I'd wanted to read for years. spotted it in the library the other day and read it quickly.
true story of James and his cat Bob and how they saved each other
true story of James and his cat Bob and how they saved each other
April 30, 2025
wonderful book!
June 8, 2025
A sweet story.
September 22, 2025
Cat lovers would enjoy this, it also paints an interesting picture of a social situation
October 26, 2025
Such a cute story. Was a little slow and hard to get through for parts.
December 14, 2025
Wow. Sweet, with tons of heart. This is the story of two souls intertwined, and how they saved each other.
August 9, 2025
A charming story of how a cat straightened out a young man who would have otherwise been on a path of destruction. Entertaining with a good ending. Or was the end really a beginning of something beautiful?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews