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I just finished reading Ask Bob: A Novel
by Peter Gethers and, I have to say, it is a good read!
Rascal and Rocco love when I read! As if they didn’t have enough opportunity
to be obnoxious at other times.
furry butts in my way inspired a post about reading with cats.
It was a very entertaining book and parts of it I couldn’t put down.
In short it’s a fiction about a man who becomes a vet, writes a pet advice column in a New York paper, and his struggles with family and love, including the occasional mention of a beloved pet in his menagerie.
It did take me a while to get into. I was a fourth of the way into the book and still had no idea what the book was about! It goes off on tangents about other characters lives before ever getting to the story. I understand the need for back story, but I don’t think we needed quite that much info before any hint of the plot, however his writing style is witty and clever, so even this was entertaining enough to keep me reading, hoping it would get to the point eventually. It did and finally jumped into the plot.
The main character is a vet, Dr. Bob, a very likable guy with a crazy family; I could totally relate. He writes an advice column, I loved each advice column at the starting of each chapter, though I did feel each person who wrote in to his column had the same voice, using big words that not every average person would use. Perhaps I should call the author with my personal critique and tell him to work on that!
Attempting to escape his family, Dr. Bob finds love and they wade through the obstacles of life together, adopting a few dogs, cats, and a foul mouthed bird along the way. His favorite fur kid, an abandoned kitten and the first rescue pet he had brought home, to the dismay of extremely allergic wife, becomes his travel companion. He becomes renowned for his column and is asked to speak at various events and brings his kitty with him.
I wanted to hear more about that kitten! Maybe a funny thing that happened while at an event? No, I kept reading hoping to hear more, but he wasn’t a huge part of the story. The book did not involve animals as much as I was expecting.
Sadness and tragedy strike! I will not give the climax away, but suddenly I was sucked in, moving from a criticizing onlooker, to forgetting that I was not in fact inside the story (which is how I want to feel when reading a good book!).
I must admit I was disappointed by the last character that comes into the story. Her history was extreme and her actions did not make me want her to stick around. Oh, and I should add there are a few lewd comments and sexual innuendos that I could have lived without. Also an occasional swear word. But not so much that I was truly offended. I’m used to guy talk and it’s clear this is written by a man.
He learns that even with all the problems and troubles, family is family and being there
for each other is what’s important. And that you can surround yourself with those loved ones who are supportive and if not related by blood, they are family, too.
Overall, most of it was very enjoyable. I would recommend it whether you’re an animal lover or not, as most of it was about human attachments.
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