Ask Bob

A Novel

By: Peter Gethers

Narrated by: Adam Verner

A wise, witty, sometimes heartbreaking love story about a pet doctor who discovers that the best relationships are often the most surprising.

Dr. Robert Heller is one of New York City’s leading veterinarians, and his "Ask Dr. Bob" advice column is hugely popular among pet lovers. Yet Dr. Bob understands animals a lot better than people, and he could definitely use some advice of his own - especially when it comes to his family. His father is angry and controlling, his mother is nearly invisible, and his brother seems bent on destroying not just his own life but the lives of everyone around him. As for Bob’s wife, Anna, she is all but perfect, assuming one can ignore her own colorful but deeply dysfunctional clan. And then, just when Bob thinks he’s figured out what it takes to thrive in the human world as comfortably as he does among cats, dogs, and hamsters, tragedy strikes. How can he go on living when he is suddenly, soul-killingly alone?

In previous books, Peter Gethers has written charming true tales about what a man can learn from a beloved cat. Now he ventures into new territory with a funny, touching novel about a pet doctor who finds out what it means to be human and what a family must do to truly become a family. Full of unforgettable characters, Ask Bob will remind everyone that sometimes we need a lot more than love to make the world go around - but that love is an awfully good place to start.

©2013 Peter Gethers (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

Dear Dr. Bob - Pets are likeable.....Are you?

Apparently the only thing consistent about Dr. Bob are his treatment of pets and his newspaper articles. As for the rest of his issues, I can't decide if I like him or not. Listing for hours to someone who treats himself as a victim and mostly makes repeated overly-detailed references to making love gets tedious.

I too felt deceived by what the premise of the book appeared to be and what I actually found. I was ready to quit about halfway through the book, but thought it had to get better. To my disappointment, it did not.

I finished the book and was mainly just glad it was over. I found nothing enchanting or uplifting. Yes, there is somewhat of a happy ever after, but by the time I got to it, I really didn't care about Dr. Bob, his family or his sex life.

I must say the narration was excellent. It was what got me through the entire book and I congratulate Mr Verner for making a rather sad tale more interesting.