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'{{Redirect|A Street Cat Named Bob|the film adaptation of the book|A Street Cat Named Bob (film)}} {{use British English|date=August 2013}} {{use dmy dates|date=October 2012}} {{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] --> | name = James Bowen | image = James bowen (author).jpeg | imagesize = 250 | caption = James Bowen and Bob in February 2013 | birth_name = James Anthony Bowen<ref name="birth">''England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916–2007''</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|03|15|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Surrey]], [[England]] | nationality = [[British nationality law|British]] | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = [[Author]], [[Street performance|busker]], [[Activism|activist]], [[Musician]] | genre = | movement = | notableworks = ''A Street Cat Named Bob''<br />''The World According to Bob''<br />''And Then Came Bob'' | website = | signature = }} [[File:Bob the Street Cat high-fives his official biographer James Bowen on the publication of their new book. (7510771672).jpg|thumb|right|250px|Bob the Street Cat high-fives his official biographer James Bowen]] '''James Anthony Bowen''' (born 15 March 1979)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/StreetCatBob/info |title=About Street Cat Bob |work=Facebook |accessdate=9 November 2012}}</ref> is an English author based in [[London]]. His memoirs ''A Street Cat Named Bob'', ''The World According to Bob'' and ''A Gift from Bob'', were international best-sellers. A film based on the first two books was released in 2016 and a sequel will be released in 2020. Bowen now dedicates his time to helping numerous charities that involve [[homelessness]], [[literacy]], and [[Animal rights|animal welfare]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://islingtonnow.co.uk/bob-the-cats-star-turn|title=Bob the cat's star turn |first=Antonia |last=Kanczula |date=15 March 2012 |work=Islington Now.co.uk |accessdate=2 November 2015}}</ref> == Early life == Bowen was born in [[Surrey]] in March 1979. Following his parents’ [[divorce]], three years later he moved to [[Australia]] with his mother. As they moved frequently, Bowen seldom made friends and was often [[Bullying|bullied]] at school. He later dropped out of education in his second year of high school, becoming a self-confessed "tearaway kid"; he was later questionably diagnosed with [[Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder|ADHD]], [[schizophrenia]] and [[Bipolar disorder|manic depression]]. In 1997, 17 years old, he returned to the [[United Kingdom]] to live with his half-sister and her husband in London. Tensions arose and the arrangement did not last. In time, he began sleeping on the streets. For the next few years, Bowen either slept in the streets or stayed in shelters, most of the time terrified of his surroundings. He began using [[heroin]] to deal with the pain from being homeless. == Meeting Bob == In spring 2007, Bowen was enrolled on a [[methadone]] programme, busking in [[Covent Garden]], and living in a supported housing programme in [[Tottenham]], London. 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, Bowen became concerned and discovered the cat was wearing no collar or ID tag, was too thin, had a very unhealthy coat, scratches on its face and an infected wound on his leg. Bowen checked with other residents to see if the stray belonged to any of them, and when none of them claimed ownership of the animal Bowen decided to help the cat. According to the account in ''A Street Cat Named Bob'', Bowen took the cat to the nearby [[Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals|RSPCA]] clinic, which provided [[antibiotic]]s to treat the infected wound (which he barely could afford). To make sure the cat received the full two-week course of medication, Bowen took 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, the cat began to follow Bowen around, even following him onto the bus when he left to go busking. Concerned that the cat had nowhere else to go, Bowen took him in permanently, naming him Bob after the character [[Killer BOB]] from the television drama ''[[Twin Peaks]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lady.co.uk/people/6882-saved-by-a-cat-called-bob |title=Saved by a cat called Bob |first=Wendy |last=Gomersall |work=[[The Lady (magazine)|The Lady]] |date=30 November 2011 |accessdate=2 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918202033/http://www.lady.co.uk/people/6882-saved-by-a-cat-called-bob |archive-date=18 September 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Since Bob constantly followed James when he was going to work, he got him a harness for safety and allowed him to come along to his regular spots in Covent Garden and [[Piccadilly Circus]], travelling in the window seat of the [[London Buses route 73|number 73 bus]]. The public reaction was positive and the pair became famous, their visibility increasing still further when Bowen began selling ''[[The Big Issue]]''. The public began uploading videos of Bowen and Bob to [[YouTube]], and tourists would visit Covent Garden to see them. During this time, Bowen decided to conclude his methadone treatment. He credits this development 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."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/bob-the-busking-cat-7573094.html |title=Bob the busking cat |first=Richard |last=Godwin |date=20 March 2012 |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |accessdate=2 November 2015}}</ref> Bob died on 15 June 2020 at the age of at least 14.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bob the Cat has died |url=http://islingtontribune.com/article/bob-the-cat-has-died |work=Islington Tribune |accessdate=16 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2020/06/bob-the-cat-dies-street-cat-named-bob-books-movies-1202961403/ | title = Bob The Cat, Inspiration Behind ‘A Cat Named Bob’ Books & Films, Dies |first = Patrick |last = Hipes | date = 17 June 2020 | accessdate = 17 June 2020 |work = [[Deadline Hollywood]] }}</ref> It is believed that he had been hit by a car.<ref>{{cite web |title=Revealed: Street Cat Named Bob died after being hit by a car, says ex-heroin addict owner of ginger tom whose exploits were turned into a best-selling book - but mystery surrounds who's to blame |url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8441657/Street-Cat-Named-Bob-died-hit-car-says-ex-heroin-addict-owner-ginger-tom.html |work=Daily Mail |accessdate=20 June 2020}}</ref> == Books == A number of books have been published about Bowen and Bob. === ''A Street Cat Named Bob'' === {{see also|A Street Cat Named Bob (film)}} Bowen and Bob's public appearances attracted the attention of the ''[[Islington Tribune]]'', which first published his story in September 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last=Gruner|first=Peter|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309164055/https://archive.islingtontribune.com/news/2010/sep/two-cool-cats-big-issue-seller-and-stray-called-bob|title=Two cool cats... the Big Issue seller and a stray called Bob|date=24 September 2010|newspaper=Islington Tribune|accessdate=2 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> This was read by Mary Pachnos, the literary agent responsible for the UK rights to [[John Grogan]]'s ''[[Marley and Me]]'', who introduced Bowen to the writer Garry Jenkins. The pair produced an outline for a book which Pachnos used to secure a book deal with the publishers [[Hodder and Stoughton|Hodder & Stoughton]]. Since its publication the book has sold over 1 million copies in the UK alone,<ref name="alisonflood">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/mar/18/bob-street-cat-books-sell-1m-copies-in-uk-james-bowen |title=Bob the Street Cat books top 1m copies in UK |first=Alison |last=Flood |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |accessdate=2 November 2015}}</ref> has been translated into 30 languages, and spent over 76 weeks at the top of ''[[The Sunday Times]]''{{'}} bestseller list in both its hardback and paperback editions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2012/mar/read-all-about-it-how-bob-stray-cat-became-bookshop-star|title=Read all about it: how Bob the stray cat became a bookshop star|last=Gruner|first=Peter|date=16 March 2012|work=Islington Tribune|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319034915/http://www.islingtontribune.com/news/2012/mar/read-all-about-it-how-bob-stray-cat-became-bookshop-star|archive-date=19 March 2012|accessdate=2 November 2015}}</ref> ''A Street Cat Named Bob: And How He Saved My Life'' was published in the US on 30 July 2013, and entered ''[[The New York Times]]''{{'}} best-seller list at No 7.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/18/books/review/inside-the-list.html |title=Inside the list |first=Gregory |last=Cowles |newspaper=New York Times |date=9 August 2013}}</ref> A film [[A Street Cat Named Bob (film)|of the same name]] was released in late 2016, starring [[Luke Treadaway]] as Bowen, and with several cats, including the real Bob, playing the part of the cat. ===''The World According to Bob'' === ''The World According to Bob'' continues the story of Bowen and Bob's lives on the street, including the period leading up to their meeting with his agent Mary Pachnos. It was released on 4 July 2013 and was also a number one book on ''The Sunday Times''{{'}} bestseller list. === ''Bob: No Ordinary Cat'' === ''Bob: No Ordinary Cat'' is a version of the book ''A Street Cat Named Bob'' re-written specifically for children. It was released on [[Valentine's Day]] 2013. ===''Where In The World Is Bob?''=== ''Where in The World Is Bob?'' is a picture book in which readers have to spot Bob, James and assorted other items in scenes around the world. It mirrors Bob's travels in a blog, ''Around the World In 80 Bobs'', where fans of the book take photographs of the famous cat at various locations around the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://streetcatbob.blogspot.co.uk/|title=Around The World In 80 Bobs |author=grj |work=streetcatbob.blogspot.co.uk |accessdate=2 November 2015}}</ref> It was published in October 2013. ===''My Name Is Bob'' === ''My Name is Bob'' is a picture book for young children, written by Bowen with Garry Jenkins and illustrated by [[Gerald Kelley]], published by Random House in the UK in April 2014. It imagines Bob's life prior to him meeting Bowen. ===''For the Love of Bob''=== ''For the Love of Bob'' is a children's version of ''The World According to Bob'' and the sequel to ''Bob: No Ordinary Cat''. It was released on 3 July 2014. ===''A Gift from Bob''=== "A Gift from Bob" is a short story about Bowen and Bob's final [[Christmas]] on the streets together. According to publishers Hodder & Stoughton, the book reveals "how Bob helped James through one of his toughest times — providing strength, friendship and inspiration but also teaching him important lessons about the true meaning of Christmas along the way." It was published on 9 October 2014, and reached No. 8 on the ''Sunday Times''{{'}} best-seller list. In October 2019, it was announced that a film adaptation of the book, directed by Charles Martin Smith and written by Garry Jenkins, would be going into production in late 2019 with a view to a cinema release in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/charles-martin-smith-direct-a-street-cat-named-bob-sequel-1246231|title=Charles Martin Smith to Direct 'A Street Cat Named Bob' Sequel|website=The Hollywood Reporter|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref> ===''Bob to the Rescue''=== ''Bob to the Rescue'' is a second children's picture book, written again with Garry Jenkins and illustrated by Gerald Kelley. It was published by Random House in September 2014. ===''The Little Book of Bob''=== ''The Little Book of Bob: Life Lessons from a Street-Wise Cat'' collects together pieces of wisdom Bowen has accumulated during his years sharing his life with his 'streetwise' cat. It was published by Hodder & Stoughton on 1 November 2018. == Music == In addition to his books, James Bowen has released music regarding his story and relationship with Bob. The charity singles ''And Then Came Bob''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1lec3dxY6Q1ImxmyZ8MudB|title=And Then Came Bob (with The Wild & Stray)|accessdate=23 March 2020|via=open.spotify.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Then-Came-Bob-Wild-Stray/dp/B07KTXT27B/|title=And Then Came Bob|accessdate=23 March 2020|via=Amazon}}</ref> and ''Time To Move On''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/60kD9PJU0Z9at2EAZ1SmoK|title=Time to Move On (with The Wild & Stray)|accessdate=23 March 2020|via=open.spotify.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Time-Move-Stray-James-Bowen/dp/B07KTVBYDV|title=Time to Move On|accessdate=23 March 2020|via=Amazon}}</ref> were released by Macaerri Music in 2018. Both tracks were mixed and mastered at [[Abbey Road Studios]] in London.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPcdJhyj62s|title=YouTube: NEW MUSIC FROM JAMES BOWEN WITH THE WILD & STRAY - CHRISTMAS 2018!)|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2FoWl71Ok|title=YouTube: James Bowen - And Then Came Bob (Official Video)|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref> The track ''And Then Came Bob'' was co-written with the songwriting trio of [[Roger Ferris]], [[Glo Macari]] and [[Dominic Ferris]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://copyright.co.uk/copyright/certificat_copyright_deposit.html?numdepot=DEP635279190831498750&sct=Macaferri+Music|title=Copyright Registered for And Then Came Bob Owned by MISTER DOMINIC FERRIS - Copyright Registration n°DEP635279190831498750|website=copyright.co.uk|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref>, and ''Time To Move On'' was co-written with fellow busker Henry Facey and musician/musical arranger [[Dominic Ferris]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.londonlive.co.uk/news/2018-12-07/bob-the-streetcat-is-in-the-studio |website=London Live |publisher=London Live | title=Bob The Streetcat Is In The Studio | accessdate=7 March 2020 |date=7 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.henryfacey.com/news|title=NEWS|website=www.henryfacey.com|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref> Ferris also featured in and produced both tracks, and can be seen producing and mixing the track with Bob playing on the audio desk.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hammond|first=Elaine|url=https://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/whats-on/music/a-street-cat-named-bob-author-james-bowen-records-charity-christmas-single-with-shoreham-musician-1-8728306|title=A Street Cat Named Bob review – so much kitty litter|work=Shoreham Herald|date=|accessdate=7 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/> Both singles were launched at a ticketed live event in November 2018 at Phoenix Gardens in Covent Garden, where Bowen was accompanied by [[Dominic Ferris]] & Henry Facey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.henryfacey.com/events|title=Henry Facey Events|website=www.henryfacey.com|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tickettailor.com/events/phoenixartsclub/218441|title=Buy tickets for An Evening with James Bowen author of 'A Streetcat Named Bob' at The Phoenix Garden, Fri 7 December 2018|website=www.tickettailor.com|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref> Profits from the singles were donated to [[The Big Issue]] Foundation, supporting homeless people across the UK.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto"/> Bowen and his team made a bid to get ''And Then Came Bob'' to a UK Christmas #1 in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lobb|first=Adrian|url=https://www.bigissue.com/culture/music/support-street-cat-bob-and-james-bowens-bid-for-christmas-number-one/|title=Support Street Cat Bob and James Bowen’s bid for Christmas number one|work=The Big Issue|date=3 December 2018|accessdate=7 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lobb|first=Adrian|url=https://yours-magazine-ncyx.squarespace.com/features/charity/articles/james-bowen-a-street-cat-named-bob-charity-single-and-then-came-bob|title=Support Street Cat Bob and James Bowen’s bid for Christmas number one|work=Yours Magazine|date=|accessdate=7 March 2020}}</ref> == Film adaptation == {{Main|A Street Cat Named Bob (film)}} A film was optioned by London-based Shooting Script Films, and its producer Adam Rolston, in March 2014.<ref name="alisonflood"/> In August 2015, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' announced that [[Luke Treadaway]] was to star in the film, and that [[Roger Spottiswoode]] was to direct, with shooting in London to begin in October.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/luke-treadaway-a-street-cat-named-bob-movie-1201576921/ |title=Luke Treadway in ‘A Street Cat Named Bob’ Movie: Actor to Star in Film |first=Dave |last=McNary |date=24 August 2015 |work=Variety |accessdate=2 November 2015}}</ref> During production, it was revealed that Bob played himself in the vast majority of the film's scenes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-35153999/from-street-cat-to-star-of-the-silver-screen|title=Street cat Bob to star in movie|website=BBC News|accessdate=23 March 2020}}</ref> The film was released in the UK in November 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last=McCahill|first=Mike|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/nov/03/a-street-cat-named-bob-review|title=A Street Cat Named Bob review – so much kitty litter|work=The Guardian|date=|accessdate=3 March 2017}}</ref> == Awards == ''A Street Cat Named Bob'' was nominated for the UK's National Book Awards in the Popular Non-Fiction category in November, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalbookawards.co.uk/newsstory/a-stellar-line-up-competes-for-this-years-specsavers-national-book-awards/ |title=A Stellar line-up competes for this year's Specsavers National Book Awards |work=National Book Awards 2014 |accessdate=2 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127095715/http://www.nationalbookawards.co.uk/newsstory/a-stellar-line-up-competes-for-this-years-specsavers-national-book-awards/ |archive-date=27 January 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2014, ''A Street Cat Named Bob'' was listed at No. 7 on a list of the most inspiring teenage books as part of a poll for World Book Day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/mar/06/world-book-day-ten-best-teen-reads |title=World Book Day: The 10 best teen reads |first=Imogen Russell |last=Williams |date=6 March 2014 |work=The Guardian |accessdate=2 November 2015}}</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{twitter|StreetCatBob}} * {{facebook|OfficialJamesBowenandStreetcatBob}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bowen, James}} [[Category:English buskers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1979 births]] [[Category:English memoirists]] [[Category:Homeless people]] [[Category:English male non-fiction writers]]'