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“Bear” by Julia Phillips

About Blog Post Aug 21, 2024 by SCLSNJ Staff
“Bear” by Julia Phillips Review by Yvonne Selander, collection development librarian Two sisters care for their dying mother in a small house on an island off the coast of Washington. Elena, the elder, but not by much, works full time at the local country club, cares for her mother, and runs the household as best she can. Sam works concessions on the ferry between the islands at a job she hates but is happy to have after being unemployed during the Covid shutdowns. Sam dreams of the day she and her sister leave on the ferry for the mainland to start a new life. One day at work Sam sees a bear swimming toward her island from the mainland. Soon after there is a scratching at the door. Sam is terrified that the bear is coming so close. Elena is thrilled by the proximity of the enormous beast. How much do these siblings, assumed to be so close, actually know about one another? Ever read a book where the writing is so good you keep going even though you’re not sure you want to go where it’s going? With an ending that has you perplexed and confused but it’s kind of okay because of the ride it took to get there? I’m not giving this one away so you’ll just have to read it. 
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