BEAR
by Julia Phillips
Julia Phillips has written her second novel and it is every bit as wonderful as her debut novel, Disappearing Earth (read review here). To have Ann Patchett provide a promotional blurb on the cover of the book and call the author a “brilliant writer,” pretty much says it all. (I believe that Ann Patchett is one of the best authors writing today.)
Bear lays out what on the surface sounds like a very simple story. Sam and Elena, sisters in their 20s, live with their dying mother in their small childhood home on a remote island off the coast of Washington State. Each of them works subsistence level jobs, struggling to pay the family’s living expenses and their mother’s soaring medical bills. Both share the dream of selling the house, moving off the island and living different, more exciting lives. One day, a huge grizzly bear shows up and quite literally sits on their doorstep. The bear makes additional appearances close to the sisters’ home. Local authorities get involved and eventually call in a “bear expert.” Everyone shares their opinions of how to remove the bear back to its natural habitat, away from people. As time passes, however, Sam realizes that Elena has been seeking the bear out, urging the bear closer to her and even feeding him from her hand. Elena believes that she and the bear have a magical understanding of one another and can communicate on some higher level. Sam is appalled by Elena’s reckless behavior and tries to intervene without turning her sister in to the authorities.
Phillips has written an absolutely fascinating story about the two sisters and how a bear can destroy twenty years of the closest bonds in the course of a few weeks. Her portrayals of each sister’s relationship to their mother, to their communities and to each other are brilliant. You will be so absorbed in Bear that you won’t be aware of the world around you. When I read the final climactic scene between the two sisters and the bear, I actually gasped out loud and had to go back and read the scene again. I definitely recommend reading this truly gripping novel. (Liz)
