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Bear Necessity
A “refreshing,” (Kirkus Reviews) unpretentious, and uplifting story about a father and son reconnecting and finding happiness in the most unlikely circumstances—for fans of Nick Hornby and The Rosie Project.
Danny’s life is falling apart. His eleven-year-old son, Will, hasn’t spoken since the death of his mother in a car crash a year earlier, and Danny has just been fired from his construction job. He’s behind on the rent and his nasty landlord is threatening to break his legs if he doesn’t pay soon. Danny needs money, and fast.
After observing street performers in a local park, Danny spends his last few dollars on a tattered panda costume, impulsively deciding to become a dancing bear. While performing one day, Danny spots his son being taunted by a group of older boys. Danny chases them off, and Will opens up for the first time since his mom died, unaware that the man in the panda costume is his father. Afraid of disclosing his true identity, Danny comforts his son. But will Danny lose Will’s trust once he reveals who he is? And will he be able to dance his way out of despair?
Filled with a delightful cast of characters, Bear Necessity is “a moving, sensitive story that is also very funny, and a perfect literary antidote to anxious, troubled times” (Shelf Awareness).
Danny’s life is falling apart. His eleven-year-old son, Will, hasn’t spoken since the death of his mother in a car crash a year earlier, and Danny has just been fired from his construction job. He’s behind on the rent and his nasty landlord is threatening to break his legs if he doesn’t pay soon. Danny needs money, and fast.
After observing street performers in a local park, Danny spends his last few dollars on a tattered panda costume, impulsively deciding to become a dancing bear. While performing one day, Danny spots his son being taunted by a group of older boys. Danny chases them off, and Will opens up for the first time since his mom died, unaware that the man in the panda costume is his father. Afraid of disclosing his true identity, Danny comforts his son. But will Danny lose Will’s trust once he reveals who he is? And will he be able to dance his way out of despair?
Filled with a delightful cast of characters, Bear Necessity is “a moving, sensitive story that is also very funny, and a perfect literary antidote to anxious, troubled times” (Shelf Awareness).
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2020
146 people are currently reading
10812 people want to read
About the author
James Gould-Bourn
4 books111 followersJames Gould-Bourn was born and raised in Manchester. He is an award-winning screenwriter and has previously worked for various landmine-clearance NGOs in Africa and the Middle East. Bear Necessity is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 801 reviews
August 25, 2022
Coś dla fanów „W pogoni za szczęściem”. Prześliczna opowieść.
April 7, 2021
”Who wants to be a zoologist when you could be helping pole dancers fight telekinetic wizards? That’s the stuff dreams are made of.”
If that title doesn’t immediately have you singing . . . .
Well, you probably aren’t a Boomer like me : (
I snatched this from the library as soon as I saw the comparison to Nick Hornby. And once again, it was pretty spot on. You have the dead parent angle, a loveable loser, a kid you don’t want to punch in the face, a stripper with a heart of gold and so on. The story revolves around Danny and his son Will. Danny’s wife passed about a year ago and Will hasn’t spoken since. When Danny loses his job, tries his hand busking as a dancing panda and intervenes in costume when Will is about to be pummeled, his son starts opening up to him – not knowing he’s talking to his dad. Then you have some roughnecks trying to shake Danny down for overdue rent which all leads to a grand finalè talent competition . . . .
If you are looking for something to just make you feel good that is saccharine sweet, this will have you saying . . . .
Also note I was todays years old when I realized the lyrics to the Napoleon Dynamite song are "canned heat in my heels tonight" and not candy in my heels tonight. I reed rong and lissen rong!
If that title doesn’t immediately have you singing . . . .
Well, you probably aren’t a Boomer like me : (
I snatched this from the library as soon as I saw the comparison to Nick Hornby. And once again, it was pretty spot on. You have the dead parent angle, a loveable loser, a kid you don’t want to punch in the face, a stripper with a heart of gold and so on. The story revolves around Danny and his son Will. Danny’s wife passed about a year ago and Will hasn’t spoken since. When Danny loses his job, tries his hand busking as a dancing panda and intervenes in costume when Will is about to be pummeled, his son starts opening up to him – not knowing he’s talking to his dad. Then you have some roughnecks trying to shake Danny down for overdue rent which all leads to a grand finalè talent competition . . . .
If you are looking for something to just make you feel good that is saccharine sweet, this will have you saying . . . .
Also note I was todays years old when I realized the lyrics to the Napoleon Dynamite song are "canned heat in my heels tonight" and not candy in my heels tonight. I reed rong and lissen rong!
April 27, 2020
Eine berührende Vater-Sohn Geschichte, die so ans Herz geht und das ab der ersten Seite. Ich habe mich sehr in die 2 verliebt und hatte auf der einen Seite Tränen in den Augen aber auch ein Lächeln im Gesicht. Mit viel Gefühl und britischem Humor geht es hier um Trauer, Hoffnung, Freundschaft und Liebe...eine ganz besonderes Buch,dass ich nur empfehlen kann.
August 1, 2020
Danny lost his wife in a car crash, and since that day, his son Will hasn’t spoken a word. Reeling from that loss, he has been keeping his head scarcely above water from one day to the next. In for a rude awakening when he is fired from his construction job, his landlord threatening literal bodily harm if he can’t make rent, Danny resolves to become a street performer. This start to Bear Necessity sounds like a veritable catastrophe in the making, though it becomes an unlikely boon when Will unknowingly begins to open up to his panda-disguised father.
Somehow, a book about a boy who will not utter a word a year after his mother’s death manages to be energetic and loud. Watching Will open up is less like the delicate unfurling of a rose and more like a hurtle down the stairs, the story propelling itself with a near unparalleled verve. Of course, this is achieved with the help of a stripper dance teacher, a Russian friend with conspicuous hints at mafia ties, and the dad who is willing to don a smelly panda costume and shake his limbs with zero dance expertise.
In this case, you need to take “overcoming their grief in surprisingly inventive ways” from the blurb very literally: inventive, absurd...to-may-to, to-mah-to. James Gould-Bourn doesn’t aim for subtle—did I mention loud earlier? Sometimes I feel like I’m being yelled at, prodded and poked by this joke or that wisecrack. Then again, said humor could tickle me in a most delightful way. Ultimately, it’s childish fun, and I found myself increasingly charmed the further Bear Necessity progressed. There are outrageous situations and characters so over the top that I had to question these hyperactive adults with the energy reservoirs of sub-14-year-olds. There are also moments so touching that I didn’t even realize I was touched until I felt a tear in the corner of my eye.
I wish I could strike out some of the earlier narration, unnecessarily detailed. Every action is commented on, a lot of telling that nags and pulls you out of the scene at times. Long sentences of internal musings would wander tangentially, making little headway in character development and obstructing the often hilarious dialogue between characters. Once Gould-Bourn hits his stride though, or maybe when I couldn’t help but end up invested in seeing these zany characters find their resolutions, I felt there was a perfect balance between laughter and poignancy.
I can forgive the imperfect execution and exceedingly contrived scenarios because there is ample heart and hilarity, never emotionally manipulative in the way that books about grief can be. Witnessing Danny get yanked out of his comfort zone while he draws Will into a safe space to flourish made this compilation of gags and heartfelt moments worth it. Bear Necessity sends a message that a journey through grief is a hazy path to discern, paved by love and support of others. How we move forward from tragedy comes in different but equally important forms to acknowledge. The way Gould-Bourn sells the premise, it wouldn’t be so far-fetched as to say a dancing panda could get involved.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Scribner for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Somehow, a book about a boy who will not utter a word a year after his mother’s death manages to be energetic and loud. Watching Will open up is less like the delicate unfurling of a rose and more like a hurtle down the stairs, the story propelling itself with a near unparalleled verve. Of course, this is achieved with the help of a stripper dance teacher, a Russian friend with conspicuous hints at mafia ties, and the dad who is willing to don a smelly panda costume and shake his limbs with zero dance expertise.
In this case, you need to take “overcoming their grief in surprisingly inventive ways” from the blurb very literally: inventive, absurd...to-may-to, to-mah-to. James Gould-Bourn doesn’t aim for subtle—did I mention loud earlier? Sometimes I feel like I’m being yelled at, prodded and poked by this joke or that wisecrack. Then again, said humor could tickle me in a most delightful way. Ultimately, it’s childish fun, and I found myself increasingly charmed the further Bear Necessity progressed. There are outrageous situations and characters so over the top that I had to question these hyperactive adults with the energy reservoirs of sub-14-year-olds. There are also moments so touching that I didn’t even realize I was touched until I felt a tear in the corner of my eye.
I wish I could strike out some of the earlier narration, unnecessarily detailed. Every action is commented on, a lot of telling that nags and pulls you out of the scene at times. Long sentences of internal musings would wander tangentially, making little headway in character development and obstructing the often hilarious dialogue between characters. Once Gould-Bourn hits his stride though, or maybe when I couldn’t help but end up invested in seeing these zany characters find their resolutions, I felt there was a perfect balance between laughter and poignancy.
I can forgive the imperfect execution and exceedingly contrived scenarios because there is ample heart and hilarity, never emotionally manipulative in the way that books about grief can be. Witnessing Danny get yanked out of his comfort zone while he draws Will into a safe space to flourish made this compilation of gags and heartfelt moments worth it. Bear Necessity sends a message that a journey through grief is a hazy path to discern, paved by love and support of others. How we move forward from tragedy comes in different but equally important forms to acknowledge. The way Gould-Bourn sells the premise, it wouldn’t be so far-fetched as to say a dancing panda could get involved.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Scribner for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2023
His wife has died.
His mother has died.
Both are disconnected from each other by their mutual loss. Worse yet, neither are communicating with each other. And even more so, Will, the son, has chosen not to even talk. So how is Danny, the father, to connect to his son?
Believe it or not, we find a way.
When Danny loses his job, he tries his hand as a dancing panda (yes, you read that right) and intervenes in costume when Will is about to be pummeled (yes there is a bully storyline here, too).
His son starts opening up to him – not knowing he’s talking to his dad.
If you are looking for a feel good story, this is one of those books that will do it for you. There is just enough heartwarming to tug at you.
His mother has died.
Both are disconnected from each other by their mutual loss. Worse yet, neither are communicating with each other. And even more so, Will, the son, has chosen not to even talk. So how is Danny, the father, to connect to his son?
Believe it or not, we find a way.
When Danny loses his job, he tries his hand as a dancing panda (yes, you read that right) and intervenes in costume when Will is about to be pummeled (yes there is a bully storyline here, too).
His son starts opening up to him – not knowing he’s talking to his dad.
If you are looking for a feel good story, this is one of those books that will do it for you. There is just enough heartwarming to tug at you.
October 18, 2020
In this light comedy, a young widower is forced to become a street performer after he loses his construction job. He dresses up in a panda costume, but since he has no talent he doesn’t earn much until he is taught to dance by a pole dancer. His 11 year old son has been mute since the death of his mother, but he manages to talk to the panda.
I thought this book was trying too hard to be both funny and heartwarming. There are a lot of quirky characters and ridiculous situations. It might make a cute movie since it already incorporates parts of You’ve Got Mail and, especially, The Full Monty. The author mentions the panda watched a bunch of movies to improve his dance moves. Oddly, The Full Monty is not one of the movies he cites. The cover and title, which is really pointless, illustrate just how twee this book intends to be. I thought the book was just ok. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I thought this book was trying too hard to be both funny and heartwarming. There are a lot of quirky characters and ridiculous situations. It might make a cute movie since it already incorporates parts of You’ve Got Mail and, especially, The Full Monty. The author mentions the panda watched a bunch of movies to improve his dance moves. Oddly, The Full Monty is not one of the movies he cites. The cover and title, which is really pointless, illustrate just how twee this book intends to be. I thought the book was just ok. 3.5 stars
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
March 15, 2021
Historia ojcostwa bez idealizacji, a z nutką humoru, ironii i nostalgii!
To była tak słodko-gorzka opowieść, że aż na samą myśl robi mi się ciepło na czytelniczym sercu ❤
A, i ta ilość przekleństw totalnie mi odpowiadała :)
To była tak słodko-gorzka opowieść, że aż na samą myśl robi mi się ciepło na czytelniczym sercu ❤
A, i ta ilość przekleństw totalnie mi odpowiadała :)
May 9, 2020
A year after the death of his wife, Danny and his son, Will are not coping with it well. Will hasn’t said a word since the accident, Danny lost his job and can't pay his rent. Danny then becomes a dancing panda in the park. Will doesn’t know it’s his dad he’s sharing all the secrets of his soul with while Danny is just happy his son is speaking. Delightful story!
July 13, 2020
„Pantatage“ von James Gould-Von mir ganz klar eine Leseempfehlung!
March 31, 2021
4,5
Wzruszająca historia o stracie, próbach naprawieniu swoich błędów a także tym jak ciężko jest zacząć od nowa.
Co ciekawe nie zabrakło tu humorystycznych momentów gdzie można było się pośmiać przez łzy.
Wzruszająca historia o stracie, próbach naprawieniu swoich błędów a także tym jak ciężko jest zacząć od nowa.
Co ciekawe nie zabrakło tu humorystycznych momentów gdzie można było się pośmiać przez łzy.
April 14, 2021
Wie viele Schicksalsschläge kann ein Mensch verkraften? Danny hat nicht nur seine geliebte Frau verloren, sondern gleich noch einen Teil seines Sohns. Seit seine Mutter nicht mehr lebt, hat Will aufgehört zu sprechen. Und als würde dies Danny nicht schon vor genug Herausforderungen stellen, verliert er auch noch seinen Job und in Kürze die gemeinsame Wohnung. In der Hoffnung irgendeine Anstellung zu finden, rennt Danny durch die ganze Stadt. Doch schnell muss er feststellen, dass ein Mann ohne berufliche Qualifikationen und mit einem elfjährigen Sohn zu Hause, nicht die besten Chancen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt hat. Als er schließlich im Park landet und einige Straßenkünstler beobachtet, beschließt er, dass er von nun an zu ihnen gehört. Er kauft sich ein billiges Pandakostüm und beginnt zu tanzen. Nur leider ist er mehr als schlecht darin, sodass zunächst niemand stehenbleibt, um ihm Geld zuzuwerfen. Seine Situation hört einfach nicht auf aussichtslos zu sein. Als jedoch eines Tages sein Sohn Will in den Park kommt und mit Danny, in seiner kostümierten Form, spricht, schöpft dieser neue Hoffnung. Irgendwie muss er es schaffen sich und seinen Sohn weiterhin über Wasser zu halten.
Character (6/10):
Man muss dem Buch lassen, dass es sehr interessante Charaktere hat. Danny, Will, Krystal und Ivan waren alle wirklich eine absolute Nummer für sich. Durch die unterschiedlichen Figuren hat der Autor eine Menge Humor in die Geschichte gebracht. Was ich an dieser Stelle jedoch anmerken möchte, ist das ich bei Ivan als Charakter eine potenziell rassistische Darstellung sehe, welche möglicherweise humorvoll gemeint, aber deswegen nicht weniger problematisch ist.
Atmosphere (5/10):
Die Atmosphäre der Geschichte konnte mich nicht vollkommen abholen. Es war alles sehr simpel gehalten. Nicht schlecht, aber auch einfach nichts, was mich besonders in seinen Bann ziehen konnte.
Writing Style (8/10):
Der Schreibstil des Buchs hat mir gut gefallen. Es war sehr locker, leicht und humorvoll.
Plot (6/10):
Zu Beginn fand ich die Handlung des Buchs sehr interessant und emotional. Leider hat dies für mich im Laufe des Buchs abgenommen. Während die Emotionalität durch Humor ersetzt wurde, was ich durchaus nicht schlecht fand, blieb mir der Tiefgang ein wenig auf der Strecke. Ich hatte mir da ein wenig mehr von dem Buch erhofft. Letztendlich hatte es sich für mich doch ein bisschen zu unrealistisch aufgelöst.
Intrigue (5/10):
Leider war “Pandatage” für mich auch nur mittelmäßig packend. Stellenweise hab ich gerne zur Hand genommen und gelesen, dann habe ich es aber auch wieder einfach zur Seite gelegt.
Logic (5/10):
Für mich war das Ende persönlich ein wenig zu konstruiert und ‘perfekt’, dafür mit wie vielen Herausforderungen Danny zu Beginn des Buchs zu kämpfen hatte.
Enjoyment (6/10):
Alles in allem hatte ich Spaß am Lesen, vor allem durch die vielen witzigen Stellen. Persönlich hätte ich mir jedoch noch mehr Tiefgang gewünscht.
Fazit (5,9/10):
Leider konnte mich “Pandatage” nicht vollkommen überzeugen. Während das Buch einen sehr angenehmen Schreibstil und eine Handlung mit viel Potenzial hat, wurde dieses meiner Meinung nicht vollends ausgeschöpft. Beziehungsweise, nicht so wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte. Abgesehen von den ersten Kapiteln wurde vom Autor mehr auf Humor als Emotionalität und Tiefe gesetzt. Ich persönlich hätte lieber noch ein bisschen mehr mit den Charakteren gelitten und vielleicht ein weniger perfektes Ende gewollt. Für mich war dieses doch ein bisschen zu unrealistisch, dafür, dass es so tragisch begonnen hat. Natürlich wollte ich ein Happy End für Danny und Will, aber vielleicht doch eher eins, welches eine Spur realistischer ist.
Character (6/10):
Man muss dem Buch lassen, dass es sehr interessante Charaktere hat. Danny, Will, Krystal und Ivan waren alle wirklich eine absolute Nummer für sich. Durch die unterschiedlichen Figuren hat der Autor eine Menge Humor in die Geschichte gebracht. Was ich an dieser Stelle jedoch anmerken möchte, ist das ich bei Ivan als Charakter eine potenziell rassistische Darstellung sehe, welche möglicherweise humorvoll gemeint, aber deswegen nicht weniger problematisch ist.
Atmosphere (5/10):
Die Atmosphäre der Geschichte konnte mich nicht vollkommen abholen. Es war alles sehr simpel gehalten. Nicht schlecht, aber auch einfach nichts, was mich besonders in seinen Bann ziehen konnte.
Writing Style (8/10):
Der Schreibstil des Buchs hat mir gut gefallen. Es war sehr locker, leicht und humorvoll.
Plot (6/10):
Zu Beginn fand ich die Handlung des Buchs sehr interessant und emotional. Leider hat dies für mich im Laufe des Buchs abgenommen. Während die Emotionalität durch Humor ersetzt wurde, was ich durchaus nicht schlecht fand, blieb mir der Tiefgang ein wenig auf der Strecke. Ich hatte mir da ein wenig mehr von dem Buch erhofft. Letztendlich hatte es sich für mich doch ein bisschen zu unrealistisch aufgelöst.
Intrigue (5/10):
Leider war “Pandatage” für mich auch nur mittelmäßig packend. Stellenweise hab ich gerne zur Hand genommen und gelesen, dann habe ich es aber auch wieder einfach zur Seite gelegt.
Logic (5/10):
Für mich war das Ende persönlich ein wenig zu konstruiert und ‘perfekt’, dafür mit wie vielen Herausforderungen Danny zu Beginn des Buchs zu kämpfen hatte.
Enjoyment (6/10):
Alles in allem hatte ich Spaß am Lesen, vor allem durch die vielen witzigen Stellen. Persönlich hätte ich mir jedoch noch mehr Tiefgang gewünscht.
Fazit (5,9/10):
Leider konnte mich “Pandatage” nicht vollkommen überzeugen. Während das Buch einen sehr angenehmen Schreibstil und eine Handlung mit viel Potenzial hat, wurde dieses meiner Meinung nicht vollends ausgeschöpft. Beziehungsweise, nicht so wie ich es mir gewünscht hätte. Abgesehen von den ersten Kapiteln wurde vom Autor mehr auf Humor als Emotionalität und Tiefe gesetzt. Ich persönlich hätte lieber noch ein bisschen mehr mit den Charakteren gelitten und vielleicht ein weniger perfektes Ende gewollt. Für mich war dieses doch ein bisschen zu unrealistisch, dafür, dass es so tragisch begonnen hat. Natürlich wollte ich ein Happy End für Danny und Will, aber vielleicht doch eher eins, welches eine Spur realistischer ist.
January 13, 2021
Ich weiß gar nicht, wie ich es sagen soll, aber dieses Buch hat mich so sehr zum Positiven überrascht. Es ist hochemotional, humorvoll bis unglaublich witzig und noch dazu ziemlich spannend zu sehen, wie sich die Handlung entwickelt.
Auch wenn das Buch nicht den großen Plott hat, den man nie vorher schon einmal hatte, ist für mich dieses Buch doch ein echter Pageturner.
Auch wenn das Buch nicht den großen Plott hat, den man nie vorher schon einmal hatte, ist für mich dieses Buch doch ein echter Pageturner.
May 6, 2021
2,5 ⭐️
•
Pomysł super ale niestety wykonanie nie przypadło mi do gustu. Liczyłam na więcej emocji i głębi w tej historii.
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Pomysł super ale niestety wykonanie nie przypadło mi do gustu. Liczyłam na więcej emocji i głębi w tej historii.
April 1, 2023
Danny is having a really rough go of it. His wife died in a car accident one year ago, and his 11 year old son, Will, hasn't spoken to anyone since. Work isn't going well, and Danny's landlord is raising the rent while threatening to break some limbs if it isn't paid soon. Danny is desperate to make some quick money and decides the best option is to become a street performing panda bear, as one does. While dancing in the park he crosses paths with an unknowing Will who not only speaks to this performing panda bear but opens up about how he is feeling about his dad and the death of his mom. Danny must decide how to handle this secret exchange of feelings, how to avoid eviction and bodily harm, and how to be the dad his kid needs.
Oh this was a quirky one!! I really loved this book. The backbone of the story is tragic and the characters are so broken, but Gould-Bourn manages to keep a level of lightness throughout the book. Danny and Will are perfectly portrayed as people going through life altering pain but still living. They have grief but also friends and laughs and other concerns and new experiences. They felt relatable and, even more important, I really liked them. I was rooting for Danny and Will to find a way to bridge the widening emotional gap between them. I wanted Danny to succeed in his wild business plan. I hoped for Will to find his voice and confidence again. I wanted all of the good things for these two. Gould-Bourn does an excellent job of making us love The Malooley fellas as well as their crew of misfits. Ivan and Krystal were two extremely funny characters who brought an awesome pop to this story.
Definitely recommend this one! It gave me Eleanor Olipant, A Man Called Ove, and The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett vibes.
Oh this was a quirky one!! I really loved this book. The backbone of the story is tragic and the characters are so broken, but Gould-Bourn manages to keep a level of lightness throughout the book. Danny and Will are perfectly portrayed as people going through life altering pain but still living. They have grief but also friends and laughs and other concerns and new experiences. They felt relatable and, even more important, I really liked them. I was rooting for Danny and Will to find a way to bridge the widening emotional gap between them. I wanted Danny to succeed in his wild business plan. I hoped for Will to find his voice and confidence again. I wanted all of the good things for these two. Gould-Bourn does an excellent job of making us love The Malooley fellas as well as their crew of misfits. Ivan and Krystal were two extremely funny characters who brought an awesome pop to this story.
Definitely recommend this one! It gave me Eleanor Olipant, A Man Called Ove, and The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett vibes.
August 3, 2020
“Who taught you how to dance like that?”
“A pole dancer called Krystal...” “…She taught me after I rescued her bathrobe that was stolen by a wizard who can set things on fire with his mind.”
Wow. Just wow. I laughed, I cried, I cringed and I just sat in amazement as everything unfolded in crazy outlandish wonder. Danny lost his wife to an auto accident. He cares for his son Will who hasn’t spoken a word since that fateful day that he survived and his mom did not.
Danny loses his job and is threatened with a claw hammer to his legs by his landlord if he doesn’t pay the two months of back rent plus interest in a month. Being turned down by every job he finds he decides to rtry his luck as a street performers. Problem is he has no talents besides bad dancing and all he can afford is a panda suit that doesn’t exactly look like a panda. What ensues is an outrageously weird but funny read traverses the pain of losing someone close to you and trying to cope with that loss and life change. It explores bullying and extreme hard times. It also looks at friendship in the oddest of circumstances and outlandish of characters. Ivan you will forever have my heart and Mr. Coleman deserves teacher of the year award.
I highly recommend this for more than just the laughs to anyone looking to branch into humorous domestic fiction. Thank you Scribner and James Gould-Bourn for the opportunity to review this novel for an unbiased opinion.
“A pole dancer called Krystal...” “…She taught me after I rescued her bathrobe that was stolen by a wizard who can set things on fire with his mind.”
Wow. Just wow. I laughed, I cried, I cringed and I just sat in amazement as everything unfolded in crazy outlandish wonder. Danny lost his wife to an auto accident. He cares for his son Will who hasn’t spoken a word since that fateful day that he survived and his mom did not.
Danny loses his job and is threatened with a claw hammer to his legs by his landlord if he doesn’t pay the two months of back rent plus interest in a month. Being turned down by every job he finds he decides to rtry his luck as a street performers. Problem is he has no talents besides bad dancing and all he can afford is a panda suit that doesn’t exactly look like a panda. What ensues is an outrageously weird but funny read traverses the pain of losing someone close to you and trying to cope with that loss and life change. It explores bullying and extreme hard times. It also looks at friendship in the oddest of circumstances and outlandish of characters. Ivan you will forever have my heart and Mr. Coleman deserves teacher of the year award.
I highly recommend this for more than just the laughs to anyone looking to branch into humorous domestic fiction. Thank you Scribner and James Gould-Bourn for the opportunity to review this novel for an unbiased opinion.
August 15, 2020
alternative title: unemployed dad learns how to dance in a panda costume with an edgy and annoying ass pole dancer for approximately 25 chapters so he can pay his rent (or else his landlord is gonna chop his legs off), ends up not winning and doesn't get his legs chopped off because The Universe Is Just That Crazy ! also he becomes a stripper in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2022
Místy vtipné, místy dojemné. Podle anotace nějakých komentářů jsem váhala, jestli knihu koupit. Bála jsem se, že to bude takové "ženské čtení". Nakonec mě přesvědčilo to, že je to vydané Hostem, což by neměla být prvoplánová slaďárna.
A skutečně - Host nezklamal ani tentokrát. Audiokniha fajn načtená, dá se doporučit.
Možná trochu klišé, ale zabalené do originálního balíčku, bavilo mě to.
A skutečně - Host nezklamal ani tentokrát. Audiokniha fajn načtená, dá se doporučit.
Možná trochu klišé, ale zabalené do originálního balíčku, bavilo mě to.
August 18, 2020
Als Buch hätte es wahrscheinlich 4,5 Sterne bekommen. Beim Hörbuch hat mir der Sprecher (Hendrik Duryn) leider nicht so gut gefallen. Seine normale Lesestimme war toll, nur wenn er sie für die "bösen" Protagonisten (und davon gab es einige) verstellt hat, war es echt blöd.
Die Geschichte war wirklich schön, traurig und lustig - immer abwechselnd. Zwischendurch musste ich immer mal schniefen. Außerdem ging es viel um's Tanzen (für mich eine der schönsten Beschäftigungen der Welt).
Lieblingszitat: "Wo auch immer du bist, ich hoffe du lächelst und tanzt."
Die Geschichte war wirklich schön, traurig und lustig - immer abwechselnd. Zwischendurch musste ich immer mal schniefen. Außerdem ging es viel um's Tanzen (für mich eine der schönsten Beschäftigungen der Welt).
Lieblingszitat: "Wo auch immer du bist, ich hoffe du lächelst und tanzt."
May 1, 2020
Ein Buch, das wohl auch sehr gut als Kinofilm funktionieren würde- ich konnte die Bilder beim Lesen regelrecht vor mir sehen. Es ist eine Feelgood-Story, die einen abwechselnd anrührt und durch gekonnte Situationskomik zum Lachen bringt. Liest sich flüssig weg und am Ende klappt man es mit einem guten Gefühl zu!
August 10, 2021
I'd like to thank NetGalley, author James Gould-Bourn, and Scribner for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
This one was so much fun! It was also sad, heartwarming, hilarious, a little crazy, but in the end very satisfying. The author’s sense of humor comes through loud and clear throughout the whole book. I loved it!
It is about Danny, whose wife died in a car accident one year ago, and about Will, Danny’s eleven-year-old son, who hasn’t spoken for one year, since his mother died.
Danny is getting by the best that he can, being a single father, getting over his own grief, and dealing with Will who won’t speak because of his grief. There are many parts of this story including Will getting bullied at school, and Danny losing his construction job. But the fun begins when Danny, finding no other jobs available, becomes a street performer, a “dancing panda bear”! But the story becomes even more interesting when, Will, not knowing that his father has “changed” jobs, begins speaking for the first time in a year – to the panda bear! – not knowing it is his dad. And then the fun begins!
There are several fun characters that are thrown into the mix: Ivan, Danny’s former Russian construction co-worker; Krystal, the pole dancer, who reluctantly helps Danny learn to dance; Reg, the evil landlord. All of them go a long way in making this a very funny and fun story.
The story culminates in Danny participating in a “Best of the Street Performers” competition, where he hopes to win First Prize so that he can pay his rent. All of the characters work together to help Danny and Will get through their tough times, and it is hilarious. It is also heartwarming to see how Danny and Will get to know each other better and help each other get past their grief while remembering their love for their wife and mother.
This one is a good one – don’t miss it!
Update: Re-read this for Book Club, thought I'd just skim through it just to review. I ended up reading and enjoying this book as much, or maybe more, the second time around! It is SO funny!!
This one was so much fun! It was also sad, heartwarming, hilarious, a little crazy, but in the end very satisfying. The author’s sense of humor comes through loud and clear throughout the whole book. I loved it!
It is about Danny, whose wife died in a car accident one year ago, and about Will, Danny’s eleven-year-old son, who hasn’t spoken for one year, since his mother died.
Danny is getting by the best that he can, being a single father, getting over his own grief, and dealing with Will who won’t speak because of his grief. There are many parts of this story including Will getting bullied at school, and Danny losing his construction job. But the fun begins when Danny, finding no other jobs available, becomes a street performer, a “dancing panda bear”! But the story becomes even more interesting when, Will, not knowing that his father has “changed” jobs, begins speaking for the first time in a year – to the panda bear! – not knowing it is his dad. And then the fun begins!
There are several fun characters that are thrown into the mix: Ivan, Danny’s former Russian construction co-worker; Krystal, the pole dancer, who reluctantly helps Danny learn to dance; Reg, the evil landlord. All of them go a long way in making this a very funny and fun story.
The story culminates in Danny participating in a “Best of the Street Performers” competition, where he hopes to win First Prize so that he can pay his rent. All of the characters work together to help Danny and Will get through their tough times, and it is hilarious. It is also heartwarming to see how Danny and Will get to know each other better and help each other get past their grief while remembering their love for their wife and mother.
This one is a good one – don’t miss it!
Update: Re-read this for Book Club, thought I'd just skim through it just to review. I ended up reading and enjoying this book as much, or maybe more, the second time around! It is SO funny!!
August 23, 2020
I started this book feeling like 3.5 stars but the more I got into the story the 4 stars started to appear, I had a hard time at the beginning of the story with all the chatting going in circles not getting anywhere but then as I understood where the story was heading, I felt like I was beginning to see the real true colors of Bear Necessity.
Bear Necessity, a story of a man trying to reconnect with his son and save his family, after a very bad hard tragedy in his past that put a very big reef between them now Danny is ready to recover the lost time and finally become a friend to his son.
Will doesn't like to talk, he prefers to live in his mind, afraid of life and bullies he just wants to spend time with his best friend Mo and forget about the past and all the burdens he keeps living. he misses his mom so much, he misses his friend, someone to talk, someone to laugh and feel protected, it's up to life and circumstances to finally bring Will and Danny together.
I laugh so much with many of the secondary characters and their shenanigans Katrina, Mo, Ivan all of them really brought so much to the story giving more depth to the main characters they really made me laugh so much.
What I like about the story was the Danny never gave up, that he kept working hard to give anything his son was missing, no matter if he had to work in a very weird job, his priority was to become friends and family all over again.
What I disliked was the constant bullying to the Main characters, it made me angry and sad at the same time, that most of the people surrounding Danny and Will were people with the need to out them down.
Bear Necessity is a story of friendship, love, empathy, and hope, a story of second chances.
Overall was a good story, a story that needs time to make you feel all the feels.
Bear Necessity, a story of a man trying to reconnect with his son and save his family, after a very bad hard tragedy in his past that put a very big reef between them now Danny is ready to recover the lost time and finally become a friend to his son.
Will doesn't like to talk, he prefers to live in his mind, afraid of life and bullies he just wants to spend time with his best friend Mo and forget about the past and all the burdens he keeps living. he misses his mom so much, he misses his friend, someone to talk, someone to laugh and feel protected, it's up to life and circumstances to finally bring Will and Danny together.
I laugh so much with many of the secondary characters and their shenanigans Katrina, Mo, Ivan all of them really brought so much to the story giving more depth to the main characters they really made me laugh so much.
What I like about the story was the Danny never gave up, that he kept working hard to give anything his son was missing, no matter if he had to work in a very weird job, his priority was to become friends and family all over again.
What I disliked was the constant bullying to the Main characters, it made me angry and sad at the same time, that most of the people surrounding Danny and Will were people with the need to out them down.
Bear Necessity is a story of friendship, love, empathy, and hope, a story of second chances.
Overall was a good story, a story that needs time to make you feel all the feels.
June 2, 2020
4,5 Sterne
So ein schönes Buch!
Bei dieser Geschichte liegen Tragik und Komik sehr nah beieinander und trotz dieser Gegensätze passt es hier einfach wunderbar zusammen. So viel Herz! So viel Charme!
Wer den britischen Humor mag, wird mit diesem Buch auf jeden Fall seine Freude haben.
So ein schönes Buch!
Bei dieser Geschichte liegen Tragik und Komik sehr nah beieinander und trotz dieser Gegensätze passt es hier einfach wunderbar zusammen. So viel Herz! So viel Charme!
Wer den britischen Humor mag, wird mit diesem Buch auf jeden Fall seine Freude haben.
October 4, 2020
3.5
I loved the fierce intensity of a father's love for his son. I think this novel explores important topics like loss, friendship, parenthood but also the struggles of a single parent and economic hardships. The writing style is fluent, easy to read, and not too descriptive.
I loved the fierce intensity of a father's love for his son. I think this novel explores important topics like loss, friendship, parenthood but also the struggles of a single parent and economic hardships. The writing style is fluent, easy to read, and not too descriptive.
February 2, 2021
Bardzo fajna książka. Czułem się, jakbym oglądał jakieś "Notting Hill", tyle że o miłości straumatyzowanego ojca do straumatyzowanego syna. I były chwile, kiedy śmiałem się naprawdę głośno.
Dodatkowy plus za przekład. Świetna robota.
Dodatkowy plus za przekład. Świetna robota.
May 31, 2023
Bardzo fajna, mimo tematu straty rodzica zabawna i pocieszająca, ońcówka wzruszająca.
February 26, 2021
To jest książka jakiej teraz potrzebujecie. Gdy większość wiadomości jest zła, przyda się chociaż jedna pozytywna, nawet gdyby miała to być panda
Życie Danny’ego Malooley’a rozpadło się. Jego żona zginęła w wypadku, a jego 11-letni syn Will od tamtej pory nie wypowiedział ani jednego słowa. Na domiar złego Danny traci prace, a nad jego kończynami wisi widmo roztrzaskania ich młotkiem przez nielubiącego spóźnialskich właściciela mieszkania. I gdzie tu pozytywy, możecie zapytać?
W tym, co Danny, za sprawą James’a Gould-Bourna, robi z tą sytuacją. W dość rozpaczliwym geście wypożycza strój pandy i zaczyna tańczyć w parku. Tym samym wykonuje pierwszy krok, aby złamać schemat swoich dni i, umówmy się, że w najbardziej absurdalny sposób, wyjść na prostą. Po drodze spotyka sarkastyczną tancerkę, potężnego czarodzieja i bardzo specyficznego kota. I tak, te wszystkie postaci są prawdziwe.
Owszem, jest to książka naiwna, ale przy tym niezwykle urocza. Gould-Bourn nie szczędzi nam brytyjskiego humoru, potrafi śmiać się w najdziwniejszych i beznadziejnych sytuacjach. Przy tym jest to książka o tym, jak sobie radzimy z traumą. O tym, jak szczerość może naprawić najbardziej skompilowane relacje. Jak ojciec z synem próbują dotrzeć się i stać się prawdziwymi przyjaciółmi.
Dzięki „Mój tata panda” serce się nieco rozgrzeje i zrobi się, choć przez chwilę, przyjemnie. Ma ona siłę podnoszenia na duchu. Mimo swej absurdalności i naiwności, chcemy wierzyć, że czasami po prostu się udaje
Życie Danny’ego Malooley’a rozpadło się. Jego żona zginęła w wypadku, a jego 11-letni syn Will od tamtej pory nie wypowiedział ani jednego słowa. Na domiar złego Danny traci prace, a nad jego kończynami wisi widmo roztrzaskania ich młotkiem przez nielubiącego spóźnialskich właściciela mieszkania. I gdzie tu pozytywy, możecie zapytać?
W tym, co Danny, za sprawą James’a Gould-Bourna, robi z tą sytuacją. W dość rozpaczliwym geście wypożycza strój pandy i zaczyna tańczyć w parku. Tym samym wykonuje pierwszy krok, aby złamać schemat swoich dni i, umówmy się, że w najbardziej absurdalny sposób, wyjść na prostą. Po drodze spotyka sarkastyczną tancerkę, potężnego czarodzieja i bardzo specyficznego kota. I tak, te wszystkie postaci są prawdziwe.
Owszem, jest to książka naiwna, ale przy tym niezwykle urocza. Gould-Bourn nie szczędzi nam brytyjskiego humoru, potrafi śmiać się w najdziwniejszych i beznadziejnych sytuacjach. Przy tym jest to książka o tym, jak sobie radzimy z traumą. O tym, jak szczerość może naprawić najbardziej skompilowane relacje. Jak ojciec z synem próbują dotrzeć się i stać się prawdziwymi przyjaciółmi.
Dzięki „Mój tata panda” serce się nieco rozgrzeje i zrobi się, choć przez chwilę, przyjemnie. Ma ona siłę podnoszenia na duchu. Mimo swej absurdalności i naiwności, chcemy wierzyć, że czasami po prostu się udaje
June 16, 2021
Pandatage zeigt auf sehr unterhaltsame Art und Weise, wie nah beieinander Tragik und Komik manchmal liegen können.
Wir begleiten Danny auf der Suche nach einem lohnenden Job, den er auch abseits der sonst so normalen Jobs sucht.
Findet tut er dabei etwas anderes - Freundschaft, Familie, Leidenschaft, Hoffnung.
Eine wirklich schöne Geschichte, die den Leser ermutigt, über den Tellerrand zu schauen, mal aus seiner Komfortzone auszubrechen und Dinge zu hinterfragen, die einem wichtig sind.
Wir begleiten Danny auf der Suche nach einem lohnenden Job, den er auch abseits der sonst so normalen Jobs sucht.
Findet tut er dabei etwas anderes - Freundschaft, Familie, Leidenschaft, Hoffnung.
Eine wirklich schöne Geschichte, die den Leser ermutigt, über den Tellerrand zu schauen, mal aus seiner Komfortzone auszubrechen und Dinge zu hinterfragen, die einem wichtig sind.
January 18, 2021
Rounded from 4.25/5 stars - This book was so heartwarming!! I felt for both Danny and Will - I was sad and frustrated for them, they made me laugh and cry! The supporting roles of Ivan, Mo and Krystal were also great additions to their story. I don’t like giving anything away - all I can say is as soon as I finished it, I felt like I could read it all over again. Highly recommend!
March 2, 2021
Wszystko co jest związane z pandami przyciąga moją uwagę, nie inaczej było w tym przypadku. Słodko-gorzka opowieść, dosyć prosto skonstruowana, uderzająca, w środek człowieka, przypominając o rzeczach, których na codzień nie doceniamy, będąc przy tym całkiem urocza.
Przyjemnie było spędzić te dwa wieczory z Dannym i Willem.
Przyjemnie było spędzić te dwa wieczory z Dannym i Willem.
March 13, 2021
Tak ciepła, choć slodko-gorzka historia ;)
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