The Bear Boy

'Sparky, mischievous, witty, dazzlingly clever' Ali Smith

'A cause for celebration. Here we have a heroine to love, a story we can't let go of' Ann Patchett

It had always been my habit-- privately I felt it to be an ecstasy-- to enter, as into a mysterious vault, any public library.

1930s New York is filling with Europe's ousted dreamers, turned overnight into refugees.

Rose Meadows, book-loving and orphaned at eighteen, takes a job as assistant to the eccentric Professor Mitwisser. Cast out from Berlin's elite, the Mitwisser family's household is chaotic and Rosie's fate there hangs on the arrival of the Mitwissers' mysterious benefactor, James A'Bair.

Inspired by the real Christopher Robin, James is the Bear Boy, the son of a famous children's author. Running from his own fame, James was boy adored by the world but has grown into a bitter man. It falls to Rosie to help them all resist James's reckless orbit.

“Her wittiest, most engrossing book ... Abundantly rich in ideas, language and emotion, the novel enchants and satisfies with its zesty union of heart and brain - IndependentHer particular artistry is the one that floats out from the heaviness of the human condition and lightens it' - New York Times'Warmed by a humanity reminiscent of the best Victorian novelists' - ObserverOzick is one of the most consistently inventive novelists at work today, and The Bear Boy is as exciting and diverting as anything she has written - Independent”

Her wittiest, most engrossing book to date... Abundantly rich in ideas, language and emotion, the novel enchants and satisfies with its zesty union of heart and brain. INDEPENDENT (26/5/06)
Ozick's prose is warmed by a humanity reminiscent of the best Victorian novelists, making this a gratifying read. OBSERVER (4/6/06)

Cynthia Ozick's essays, novels and short stories have won numerous prizes and awards, and her most recent novel was shortlisted for the National Book Award in America

'Sparky, mischievous, witty, dazzlingly clever' Ali Smith 'A cause for celebration. Here we have a heroine to love, a story we can't let go of' Ann Patchett It had always been my habit-- privately I felt it to be an ecstasy-- to enter, as into a mysterious vault, any public library. 1930s New York is filling with Europe's ousted dreamers, turned overnight into refugees.Rose Meadows, book-loving and orphaned at eighteen, takes a job as assistant to the eccentric Professor Mitwisser. Cast out from Berlin's elite, the Mitwisser family's household is chaotic and Rosie's fate there hangs on the arrival of the Mitwissers' mysterious benefactor, James A'Bair.Inspired by the real Christopher Robin, James is the Bear Boy, the son of a famous children's author. Running from his own fame, James was boy adored by the world but has grown into a bitter man. It falls to Rosie to help them all resist James's reckless orbit.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.