Bear

A Novel

By: Julia Phillips

Narrated by: Sophie Amoss

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the celebrated author of Disappearing Earth comes a tale of family, obsession, and a mysterious creature in the woods—“a mesmerizing story about hope, sisterhood, and survival with a truly shocking twist at the end” (People, Book of the Week).

NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS’ CHOICE • A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BUZZ PICK!

FINALIST FOR THE JOYCE CAROL OATES PRIZE • LONGLISTED FOR THE CAROL SHIELDS PRIZE FOR FICTION • A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: NPR, Vulture, Chicago Public Library

“Thrilling and propulsive, glorious and terrifying. Julia Phillips is a brilliant writer.”—Ann Patchett

“Beautiful and haunting . . . this is brilliant.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

They were sisters and they would last past the end of time.

Sam and Elena dream of another life. On the island off the coast of Washington where they were born and raised, they and their mother struggle to survive. Sam works on the ferry that delivers wealthy mainlanders to their vacation homes while Elena bartends at the local golf club, but even together they can’t earn enough to get by, stirring their frustration about the limits that shape their existence.

Then one night on the boat, Sam spots a bear swimming the dark waters of the channel. Where is it going? What does it want? When the bear turns up by their home, Sam, terrified, is more convinced than ever that it’s time to leave the island. But Elena responds differently to the massive beast. Enchanted by its presence, she throws into doubt the desire to escape and puts their long-held dream in danger.

A story about the bonds of sisterhood and the mysteries of the animals that live among us—and within us—Bear is a propulsive, mythical, richly imagined novel from one of the most acclaimed young writers in America.

Keep looking for another book

Loved this author’s first book. Ignored the critical reviews on this site but they were right. I stuck it out til the end but it just got worse. Over all, kind of a mess.

Narration Didn’t Work For Me

As gorgeous as the story is, the uber emotive narration competes with, and even mocks the writing at times.
Many, if not most, listeners seem to enjoy this style . I don’t.

Not A Fairy Tale

the main character is static. her outlook on everyone and everything is bitter throughout the novel. and she remains unlikeabl e until the end. her relationship with her sister is revealed to be one that lacks true intimacy as her sister reveals secrets abd resentments. the bear is not a symbol, but an animal unto which fantasies are projected; the " frame" of the Snow White and Rose Red fairy tale asks more if the story than the sad drudgery of the sister's lives mixed in with a little psychological projection. the writing is clear and a bit lyrical at times but us not rich in imagery, metaphor , or reflection until the last few pages. I understand that these kinds of lives exist, and as a teacher. I would have been empathic to these characters had they been real people; however. I did not feel that I learned or grew or felt transported by this novel at any level. the fairytale conceit could have been made powerful by more magical realism. description of the natural world on San Juan Island. and by more I teresting and reflective characters.

The Bear

I thought the book was slow and overall boring. I did not care for it.

It was such a sad story with a sad ending…

I love reading and listening to every kind of novel. And to be fair I couldn’t stop listening, this was intriguing. But so sad and depressing right to the end. I’m sorry but I wouldn’t recommend it…