When I first saw photographs of Hercules the 70-stone grizzly bear, I couldn’t help but think how terrifying he looked. Then I read Maggie Robin’s memoir of her life with the big loveable boy and my opinion completely changed – I even found myself wishing I’d met the big guy myself.
The book details Maggie and husband Andy’s 25-year life living with Hercules and is both funny and poignant – I was hooked from the first page. Soon after starting it, I completely forgot that I was reading about a bear and saw him as Maggie and Andy obviously did, as their son.
It’s a fantastic story but more impressive is the way Maggie makes you fall in love with Hercules all over again. He was dubbed the bear who stole the nation’s heart and I can safely say that by the end of the book, he had mine. It’s definitely a tear jerker and one for animal lovers.
Book Review – Hercules the Bear: A Gentle Giant in the Family by Maggie Robin
