The Bear Went Over the Mountain : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Extremely lighthearted and entertaining
Review: I judged this book by its cover, I admit it. Seeing a bear in a business suit and no one noticing seemed pretty funny, and it is, all the way through the book.

I loved this book becuase of the absurdity and because it was greatly entertaining. Anyone who likes to laugh will like this book

Rating:
Summary: The Bear Went Over The Mountain is a beary good book !!
Review:

The Bear Went Over the Mountain is a wonderful book, filled with rich characterizations and the wildest ones you will ever encounter. Hal Jam is a wonderfully endearing star in this novel and, having lived in the New York metropolitan area for almost 12 years, is nearly a natural New Yorker!

I work as a clerk in my small town library and make teddy bears, so I naturally perk up when I see the word "Bear" in book reviews.

This book title caught my attention and the review made me request that the library buy it for their collection. I have referred a good number of patrons to the book and most have said that it is really good - a captivating novel!

Rating:
Summary: What a great book!
Review: This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Not only is it exremely entertaining (to the point of making me laugh out loud!) but it also makes a strong statement about the "rat race" of our modern-day society. Can you imagine a bear successfully publishing a stolen manuscript? It just goes to show that people hear what they want/expect to hear; many times they don't truly listen. The bear himself is refreshingly honest in his dealings with people and makes a great main character through which to tell the story. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a light-hearted, truly enjoyable book to read

Rating:
Summary: Laugh out loud funny!
Review: An incredible running gag sustained for 300 pages. Bizarre characters and keen insight into the human condition. I loved it

Rating:
Summary: WAITING DAY FOR DAY
Review: In germany this book is called "ein baer will nach oben" and it was not yet published. But in a newspaper I could find every day a few pages of this great book. I have just read 20 small parts, but i like this book very much. I am waitin for the next day! [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the funniest book I have ever read.
Review: The summary above--and the numerical rating I've given--says it all

Rating:
Summary: A funny and insightful trip
Review: Ever page was a delight. A truely creative work that I am happy to recommend. The amazing part is just how many people that you encounter every day could fit into this book with little work. I'll be seeking other Kotzwinkle novels to read, but I'd be surprised if his other work could top this

Rating:
Summary: What A Kick!! Makes you take a break!
Review: The book is a kick in the behind! You see people/characters in real life that would do exactly what the characters in the book are doing! This will not be appreciated by people caught up in the race, that don't know it! Better for the rest of us! Sit back, take a little break, and let your tummy do the excercising! (The laugh muscle's can never get built up enough!! By the By: bought the book, after borrowing it from the library

Rating:
Summary: Shaggy Bear Story
Review: Kotzwinkle does something different with every book he writes, but he always writes something funny and unique. The Bear Went Over the Mountain is the Tarzan story in reverse--a bear cub raised by humans finds an author's sex-filled manuscript, reads it, and decides to go to town, and get it published. Which he does! The bear isn't a very original guy--civiilization confuses him, but he likes the practically infinite supply of sweets available to humans. He overcomes all adversities--including sex-crazed publicists and gay editors, and God must like him, because just when he needs another manuscript, he finds one. Hal Jam achieves what most authors only dream of--national fame, riches, an English title, and all the glory of having written without actually having to write. --reviewed by Ken St. Andre

Rating:
Summary: A Bargain
Review: For the price of one book you get the value of two books and a movie. First, there is a very funny story. So, you get an entertaining novel. Second, it has so many examples of the gulf between "what is said" and "what is heard" that you also get a text to use in marriage counseling or employee relations. (It would brighten up both of those scenes.) Third, Kotzwinkle's language paints such vivid pictures that you think you have already seen the movie.