I was transfixed!

Ordinary Bear: A Novel by C.B. Bernard     

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This tale crept up on me and wouldn’t let go. From Nanuqmiut Village in Alaska where a lonely giant of a man, Farley, lost all he cared about to a bear; to the darkside of Portland, Oregon, where the “under housed” are organizing and occupying space outside apartments. The apartment tenants have to run a gauntlet of harassment and more entering and leaving the building.

One tenant, Lissa nearly looses her daughter Olive after being menaced by a homeless man. Lissa is startled by his dog tied to the bus shelter. It’s raining and a domino effect ensues. Lissa bumps into Olive who falls into the watery gutter just as a truck’s coming. Olive is rescued by Farley. It’s the beginning of a new mission for Farley, not that he knows it at the time. 

Olive goes missing, the police ignore Lissa’s pleas, and Farley takes up her cause.

The plot is relentless, empathetic and fascinating. 

An unusual story that has attitude and compassion, along with some shocking moments.

A Blackstone ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.