Gloomy Gus

by Walt Morey

Because of an agreement his alcoholic father makes with a circus, 15-year-old Eric begins a long journey south from Alaska with the huge Kodiak bear he raised from a cub.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Adventure, Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Walt Morey was an award-winning author of numerous works of children's fiction set in the U.S. Pacific Northwestand Alaska, the places where Morey lived for all of his life. His book Gentle Ben was the basis for the 1967 movie Gentle Giant and the 1967-1969 television show Gentle Ben.

He wrote a total of 17 published books, most of which involve as a central plot element the relationship between man and animals. Many of his works involve survival stories, or people going into the wild to "discover" themselves; redemption through nature is a common theme of Morey's works.

Reviews

[Alec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book in general was really good. A boy named Eric has a 6 month adventure he will never forget. From finding a bear to running back home with that bear after being at a circus for 6 months, this book really was exciting. Humor was seen many times and similes were seen in many descriptions throughout the book. The plot of Eric finding out Ned Strong is not his real dad sets up the second half of the book. Eric runs to get away and gets caught by police. With some help and luck, he is able to get home before the first cruise ship arrives. I feel that the exciting parts were the conflicts in the book because they created action between characters. Eric fighting Cliff and fighting Ned Strong really were the most action-packed parts.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walt Morey was my great grandfather, my parents gave me the middle name Morey in his honor. He died when I was young; so, sadly, I remember very little of him. My father remembers him sitting at his desk with a typewriter poking away at the keys. I am embarrassed to admit that I had not read his books until now. I decided it is time I finally get into gear and read them.

Wow, what a fun read! This one is now up there with my favorite, Canyon Winter. I am surprised this one did not get the attention that Gentle Ben did. I found the plot was smoother, and the characters more quirky and relatable. The contrast of the two main settings, Tatouche Alaska and the circus roaming the lower 48 , added to the charm. In most of Morey's other books, the relationship between boy and beast separates at some point. In Gloomy Gus, I enjoyed the fact that Eric and Gus' fates were inseparable and depended on the other.

[Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my forth-coming dystopian novel, Bodies, a character named The Counselor lives in the wilderness with a grizzly named Buzzy. I based the grizzly on Gloomy Gus, a book I loved very much when I was a kid.

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping story--all my children begged for "just one more chapter!"

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a touching story of love, courage, and determination. A young boy is living with his father in a run down town in Alaska. His father abuses him and is often drunk. The boy is on his own most of the time. When Eric finds a baby cub trying to nurse its dead mother, he takes the cub home and his dad makes him get rid of it. Eric goes to Ten Day Watson for help and soon they develop a bond. He helps Ten Day with his gold mining and works for him while they raise the cub. The cub grows into a full grown Kodiak and one day he dazzles some tourists. Many in the town are hopeful the bear will bring back some economic growth to their town. All is good until Eric's dad decides to rent the bear out to a circus. Eric makes friends with the circus people and the bear does well making the circus some money. When Eric finds out that his dad isn't really his dad and the circus people can't pay them anymore, he decides to leave and get back to Alaska to go home. Eric gets help from some friendly people and eventually makes it back home. I think children in 4th grade and up would love this story. It has a feel good ending. Eric has had a rough life and it is good to see him happy in the end. This would be for children who love adventure and animal stories.

[Nicole Lungeanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of an agreement his alcoholic father makes with a circus, 15-year-old Eric begins a long journey south from Alaska with the huge Kodiak bear he raised from a cub.

Read this book in Geman (Zurück nach Alaska) and was amazed. I was around 14 years old when I discovered that book and could identify with the character Eric. It's exciting.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories that take me to places I would never go, introduce me to characters I may never meet, and cause me to imagine a life and journey that is both adventurous and unique. This book covered all points.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's like Gentle Ben 2.0, and every bit as charming.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so good we have almost worn this one out.

[SFrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. The book is about a young boy named Eric and the Kodiak bear cub he found and brings home. The man he calls dad, refuses to let him keep the cub and physically kicks the bear out the door. The boy distraught goes to the only person just outside of town, who Eric hopes will help him.
That person being Ten-Day Watson, whom the whole town believes is a kook.
This young boy with an amazing amount of determination, love, takes full responsibility for the caring of the about to be enormous Kodiak bear.
Just read the book wonderfully written by Walt Morey, and I am sure you may feel the same way.