Bear begins with an excerpt from The Brothers Grimm fable ‘Snow-white and Rose-red’. The gist of the story is of two inseparable sisters who live in the woods with their mother, a bear comes to visit and changes the course of their lives … and thus begins this tale too.
Sam and Elena live with their terminally ill mother, on a remote Pacific Northwest Island. It is an isolated and lonely existence where the girls find solace and friendship in each other. Sam dreams of escaping and starting a new life off the island and the two make a pact to do so, but they can’t leave until their mother’s illness runs its course. Sam works shifts on the ferry transporting mainlanders and tourists to holiday homes, and Elena tends bar at the local golf club. One evening, Sam spots a bear swimming across the channel. The bear soon pays them a visit and sets off a chain of events neither young woman could have predicted.
It is a story of sisterhood and the ties that bind, that can also strangle, or ensnare. It’s about loneliness, poverty, small towns and secrets. It’s a quiet, introspective novel, almost brooding, and you feel it building slowly towards its inevitable conclusion. It has small references throughout to the fable, which brings a mythical quality to the storytelling.
I found Bear completely enthralling and devoured it in less than 48 hours. I really enjoyed the setting and getting to know the sisters, flaws and all. This is one for fans of Limberlost, Birnam Wood, or North Woods.
Reviewed by Sarah Krause
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julia Phillips is the bestselling author of the novels Bear and Disappearing Earth, which was a finalist for the National Book Award and one of The New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of the Year.
Julia’s work has been translated into twenty-six languages. A 2024 Guggenheim Fellow, she has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Paris Review. She is on the board of the Crime Victims Treatment Center, a nonprofit that helps people heal from violence. She teaches at the Randolph College MFA program and lives with her family in Brooklyn.
(4/5)
Delve into the idyllic yet complex world of the San Juan Islands in America’s Pacific Northwest with this poignant novel that deftly avoids the pitfalls of the ‘poverty porn’ genre. Through the lives of Sam and Elena, two sisters grappling with their own struggles while caring for their terminally ill mother, the story sheds light on the harsh realities of life in an America lacking adequate healthcare yet teeming with affluent tourists.
The sisters, both reliant on hospitality work in a post-COVID time, navigate their intertwined lives against the backdrop of this island setting. However, their relationship is rocked by the sudden appearance of a bear, a rare sight in those parts. While Elena finds herself drawn to the mysterious creature, Sam spirals into fear and obsession, straining their bond to its breaking point.
As the narrative unfolds, Phillips masterfully explores themes of family, resilience, and the complexities of human connection. Readers are drawn deeper into the sisters’ world, feeling the weight of their struggles and the power of their love.
(4/5)
Bear loosely takes its inspiration from the fairy tale Snow White and Rose Red. Two sisters, Sam and Elena live on San Juan Island off the Washington state coast. Together they look after their mother who has a terminal illness. Elena works at the golf club and Sam on the ferries that take tourists around the islands. They struggle to make ends meet especially with their mother’s medical bills. The bond between the sisters is strong, but Elena, the older sister, takes on most of the responsibility of running the household. The story is told from the point of view of the younger sister, Sam and she trusts that after their mother dies, and they sell the house they will be able to move to the mainland. Then a bear appears on the island, first seen by Sam from the ferry and then outside their home. It’s a compelling read from the moment the bear appears, it’s smell, it’s size, and Elena in particular becomes obsessed with it, seeing it almost as something magical. I really enjoyed this book, even though the ending is shocking, it makes complete sense. This is a story about the bonds between sisters and how to get on with life when everything seems to be a struggle.
(5/5)
While some people might find this book depressing, I think we live in a world of toxic positivity and striving to only show our best selves, when the reality is that we all have struggles. I like to read about people’s realities and people’s real feelings and internal worlds, and that disconnect that we all feel at times with the people we’re closest to. As such, I really connected with Sam’s character, who was so well written and brought to life on the page, by the author. I found Bear to be compelling, well written, and hard to put down. A great read.
(5/5)
I enjoyed reading Bear by Julia Phillips. It was captivating, I was hooked. I shed a few tears as the story progressed of these two loving sisters. But as enchanting as it was I’ll never be going into the woods. This story is like a modern beauty and the beast for grown ups, keep your tissues handy, for 2 days I couldn’t put this book down.
(5/5)
I loved Bear, was hooked straight away by the sisters, their lives and the bond they have. It was an easy read and have to say the cover is gorgeous.
I was shocked by the ending, was a twist I never saw coming. I was swept up in the lives of the girls looking after their mum wanting a better life.
Elena got her happiness by the bond and mystery of bear but Sam was left to deal with the guilt and consequences of not getting through to her. I haven’t read in a while and can honestly say Bear made me love books again.
(5/5)
BEAR By Julia Phillips
Two sisters loving each other intensely, where there was no room for anybody else, including their mother, until one day…….they encountered a wild large bear in the front door of the house, where they lived with their fragile and disabled mom!
This wild and dangerous creature will enter their lives in unexpected ways, the ways that will eventually interfere with the strong love between the sisters.
The story tells us by showing how love, a deep and sincere love could be so beautiful and at the same time so painful. That there is no a middle way and the reader will be witnessing that deep love and deep pain could be experienced at the same time. Love has no limit; and as well as love, pain also had no limit.
The only limit is the one we impose on ourselves and not the one described by others. It is different in any of us!
Love and hate, have similar feelings, even if described as opposite to each other.
This position has been demonstrated very clearly in this book, including wonderful descriptions of animals, plants and sites. And in a very obscure manner, the mind of a Wild animal escaping from its natural habitat.
Did Elena finally find the love she had never experienced before? The love for her sister Sam was there forever, since she was born.
Did Sam’s love for Elena ever diminish? But what about the Bear? Its feelings may be opened to the interpretation of the reader!
(4/5)
This is the story of two sisters striving for a better life. It is an allegory of family and life expectations, presented in an unusual setting, vivid and atmospheric.
Sam and Elena are two sisters who struggle financially as they care for their dying mother. Their lives are repetitive, predictable, tiresome; until something happens that upends their lives and brings about changes that are not easily forgotten.
One night, Sam sees a bear swimming towards the island. The bear later shows up on their property, and comes back again and again. Its presence influences the sisters’ day to day life, and their future. They react to the bear in very different ways, changing the relationship between them and showing who each of them truly is.
This is a book with a mythical feel, where myth and fairytale intertwine. As a reader, you are brought uncomfortably close to the daily life of people who struggle to get by. I found the story compelling, tense, immersive and meaningful.
(3/5)
A story of 2 sisters Sam and Elena who share a house on an island of the coast of Washington State with their very sick mother.
The unexpected appearance of a bear swimming to the island in its migration to the mainland brings an upheaval to their lives. Their dream of leaving the island after the eventual death of their mother is put on the back burner.
One sister, Elena, is taken under the magical/ mythological spell of the bear. The other, Sam, is frustrated at why the bear won’t move on.
The book is a slow burner that makes you want to know what is going to happen. Not a book that all readers will enjoy but I read ‘Bear’ in one day, not because I wanted to finish it but I wanted to know what happens in the end.
However, it is a book that did not invoke any feelings towards the main characters, whether it be the sisters or the minor characters around them. I’m sure there will be readers out there who will throughly love it.
(5/5)
Bear by Julia Phillips is a whimsical half realistic half fantasy type of modern fairytale where two sisters become entranced by a Bear whom likes to visit their house regularly. One sister is so enamoured with it she ignores the dangers of the wild powerful beast. The other sister although entranced realises the dangers and tries to be the voice of reason. It’s arrival is a great distraction from the difficult past and present life they’re experiencing. It is a beautiful display of the wonderful but dangerous relationships humans can have with other species. It is a very different book than my usual genre favourites but I found myself captivated by it. I would be interested in reading further books by this author.
(4/5)
Although they say never judge a book by its cover, the absolutely gorgeous cover of Julia Phillips’ Bear promises a great experience within. A dark fairy tale reimagining, I particularly loved the setting in the San Juan islands of the Pacific Northwest, and the almost magical appearance of the Bear. This is essentially an exploration of the relationship between two quite different sisters, and is set well against the natural surroundings. I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful novel and would definitely recommend.
(5/5)
The writing is tender in its exploration of universal themes of parenthood, the sacrifices that come with that, the unbreakable bonds of siblings, the yearning for a brighter future, not repeating past mistakes. It tugged at my heartstrings.
The female characters are strong, sure of themselves – a single mother, two sisters trying to make ends meet, caring of their mum in her last days, holding onto precious memories of better days, hope and plan for the future. Even the woman who is a wildlife expert is confident, assured of her advice.
Men are in the background but their impact is felt regardless: the violent partner the mother takes up with; the childhood school suitors of no consequence; the love/sex interest of Sam, thwarted and the ineffectual police.
Death is a dominant element in the book, both physically and metaphorically. The mother dying (from exposure to man-made chemicals); pets and farm animals taken by Bear whose habitat is being destroyed; the looming demise of dreams of escape and a better life.
The story begins to unravel and reveals heart breaking revelations. The writing is engrossing and evocative both of the landscape, the characters and Bear. Once opened, I couldn’t stop reading.
(4/5)
I had so many varying emotions while reading Bear from happiness to sadness, familiarity, love and loss.
I was transported to the island with all its luscious scenery and the normal lives of the people that lived there that had a connection to the Bear.
Twisted obsession, distrust, mistrust, violence, heart-wrenching, terrifying, dramatic its all here and I enjoyed every minute of it. I felt connected to the sisters and their lives and how they both approached life.
With the two main characters I could relate to both and feel the bond they had but also that they were two separate beings with feelings that had changed overtime due to circumstances.
The writing was very descriptive I could touch the bear, the water, the grass and the people all through the writing.
(4/5)
The story of ‘Bear’ is atmospheric, mysterious, haunting and almost mythical story of 2 young adult sisters Sam and Elena who live with and care for their terminally ill mother in their ramshackle home. It’s a struggle for them to make ends meet. A large brown bear comes into their lives potentially on its way swimming to Canada.
I felt that I’d been transported to the scenic island of San Juan, off Washington State. I could see and feel the characters – their frustrations, their fears, their sadness and grief which begin from their childhood. I wanted the sisters to succeed in their hopes and dreams for their futures of moving off the island. The story is written with 2 strong protagonists and the other characters bring their own strong contributions to the story. After the first few chapters ‘Bear’ was a page turner for me though I was surprised at the ending. ‘Bear’ is beautifully written with many layers which kept me engaged and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
(4/5)
A very pleasant and easy read with an unexpected twist in the ending. It reminded myself of the bonding of family siblings from growing up together but that you are all individuals.
Thought provoking re how life evolves/changes and that expectations can change with just the arrival of something unexpected.
Although the main characters share the same living space and genetics there are secrets and unknowns about each other although they have been living close. This book is about how society traps people and how hard it is to climb out or change direction.
(4/5)
“Bear” by Julia Phillips is her second novel. It explores a strange phenomena in nature – but uses this as a symbol of the relationship between two sisters. Set on an island in the Pacific Northwest, the story is set in the present day, where the women are struggling to keep themselves afloat due to the stultifying aspects of their surroundings and economic pressures which make it hard for them to get by
The introduction of an actual bear into their lives awakens them. It is mysterious and a little frightening. They debate what they should do – all the time building a bond with this animal. Throughout the novel, several themes are explored. One of the key themes is the concept of shelter and friendship, both physical and metaphorical.
Another theme is the concept of family and community, and the way in which struggles can impact family dynamics.
If you are a fan of Barbara Kingsolver or Anne Pratchett the lyrical style of this novel should appeal to you and make you think.
(5/5)
Bear by Julia Phillips is a beautifully crafted tale about two sisters living on an island, caring for their dying mother, but it is also more than this. It is a coming-of-age story told using an ancient fairytale to explore our modern disconnect from nature. The Bear in this story signified for me the natural world in all its glory and terror and how we as a species have lost our understanding and relationship with nature…and what dangerous consequences this can bring. Absolutely devoured it.