The Life And Times Of Paddington Bear

Author: Russell Ash & Michael Bond
Price: £30
Publisher: Pavilion & Michael Joseph, London, UK
Edition: 1st Edition
Publication Date: 1988
Format: Original cloth gilt with dustwrapper
Condition: Very good plus in very good dustwrapper.
Pages: 144

Description:

 
Illustrated throughout. Binding nice and tight. Pages nice and clean. A very good plus, tight, clean copy in very good, slightly creased, marked and rubbed dustwrapper.

‘The Life And Times Of Paddington Bear’: A Brief Account

 
“The Life and Times of Paddington Bear” offers a rich and affectionate portrait of one of Britain’s most beloved fictional characters, tracing his origins, adventures, cultural impact, and enduring charm. Presented with a blend of biography and social commentary, the work provides a whimsical yet thorough exploration of Paddington Bear’s world — as though he were a real figure with a life to chronicle, a reputation to maintain, and a story worth celebrating in its own right.

The account begins with Paddington’s early years in “darkest Peru,” where he was raised by his Aunt Lucy. After she moves into the Home for Retired Bears in Lima, Paddington is sent off to London with little more than a suitcase, a jar of marmalade, and a label around his neck politely requesting that someone look after him. This pivotal moment — his arrival at Paddington Station — is treated with respectful reverence, marking the beginning of his new life in Britain and his adoption by the Brown family.

Paddington’s adjustment to British life is explored with affectionate detail. The book documents his early confusion over local customs, his unwavering politeness, and his determination to contribute meaningfully to his new home, despite a tendency to leave a trail of chaos in his wake. His repeated efforts to be helpful — whether doing household tasks, navigating public transport, or shopping on the high street — are treated as important milestones in his journey towards becoming a respectable citizen.

The history moves on to catalogue Paddington’s various escapades in and around Windsor Gardens, chronicling the growing circle of people whose lives he inadvertently changes. His friendship with Mr Gruber, his adversarial but oddly affectionate rivalry with Mr Curry, and his adventures with the Brown children are woven together to give a sense of continuity and community. Each relationship is presented as part of Paddington’s “personal history,” emphasising the emotional connections that underpin his life in London. The book also examines Paddington’s rise to fame — not just within the context of the stories, but in the broader cultural imagination. His presence in bookshops, on television, in theatre productions, and on a wide range of merchandise is discussed with gentle irony, as though Paddington himself has handled his celebrity status with modest dignity. Highlights include his appearances at public events, his honorary titles, and the enthusiastic fanbase that spans both children and adults.

Paddington’s character is analysed in a semi-serious tone, drawing attention to his values: kindness, honesty, curiosity, and perseverance. These traits are described not simply as personality quirks, but as enduring principles that make him a model citizen — albeit one with a habit of accidentally repainting bathrooms, flooding kitchens, and turning polite tea visits into slapstick affairs. The book also offers a satirical yet respectful look at British society through Paddington’s eyes. His innocent questions and literal interpretations often expose the oddities and contradictions of everyday life, from bureaucracy and queuing etiquette to the rituals of the seaside holiday. In this way, “The Life and Times” casts Paddington as both participant and observer — an outsider whose fresh perspective gently pokes fun at British habits while also embracing them wholeheartedly.

Interspersed throughout the narrative are “archival” snippets — mock documents, letters, and newspaper clippings — that build the illusion of Paddington as a real historical figure. These add humour and a touch of formality, enriching the imaginative biography with playful detail. The tone throughout is warm, witty, and nostalgic, treating Paddington’s life not simply as a sequence of stories, but as a legacy. His journey from a lonely bear on a railway platform to a much-loved national treasure is framed as a triumph of compassion and character — a reminder of the power of kindness and the joy of welcoming the unexpected.

In summary, “The Life and Times of Paddington Bear” is a heartfelt tribute to a timeless character. It celebrates not just the tales, but the spirit behind them: that of a small bear who, armed with nothing more than good manners and a suitcase, found a place in the world—and in the hearts of millions.

Michael Bond: A Short Biography

 
Michael Bond was a British author best known for creating Paddington Bear, one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature. His career as a writer spanned over six decades, during which he wrote numerous Paddington books, as well as other works for children and adults.

Early Life and Career:

• Born: January 13, 1926, in Newbury, Berkshire, England.
• Bond grew up in Reading, Berkshire, where his love for storytelling began. He was an avid reader and had an early fascination with writing, though he initially pursued other careers.
• During World War II, Bond served in the Royal Air Force and later worked as a camera operator for the BBC.

Creation of Paddington Bear:

• The idea for Paddington Bear came to Michael Bond in 1956, when he saw a lonely teddy bear sitting on a shelf in a London shop near Paddington Station. Bond bought the bear as a gift for his wife and was inspired to create a character around it.
• Bond wrote the first book, A Bear Called Paddington, in just ten days. It was published in 1958, introducing the world to the small bear from Darkest Peru who arrives at Paddington Station with a note that reads, “Please look after this bear. Thank you.”
• The Paddington books were an immediate success, with readers falling in love with the bear’s politeness, curiosity, and well-meaning mishaps. Bond’s witty, warm writing style and the gentle humour of Paddington’s adventures made the series timeless.

Paddington Bear’s Impact:

• The Paddington Bear series has been translated into over 40 languages and has sold more than 35 million copies worldwide.
• Bond wrote more than 20 books about Paddington, including sequels such as More About Paddington, Paddington Helps Out, and Paddington at Large.
• Paddington became a British cultural icon, and the stories were adapted into multiple TV series, stage productions, and two highly successful live-action films, Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017), with Ben Whishaw providing the voice of Paddington.

Other Works:

• While Paddington Bear was his most famous creation, Michael Bond also wrote other children’s books. His series about Olga da Polga, a guinea pig with a lively imagination, was another favourite.
• Bond also wrote for adult audiences, including a series of detective novels featuring Monsieur Pamplemousse, a retired French detective and food critic who solves culinary-related mysteries with his loyal bloodhound, Pommes Frites.

Personal Life:

• Bond lived much of his life in London, close to Paddington Station, which played such a crucial role in inspiring his most famous creation.
• Despite his success as a writer, Bond remained modest and down-to-earth. He often expressed that he wrote Paddington stories because they made him happy, and he was always delighted by the bear’s popularity with readers of all ages.

Awards and Honours:

• In recognition of his contribution to children’s literature, Michael Bond was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1997 and later a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2015.
• Paddington Bear’s influence has extended far beyond literature. In 2000, a statue of Paddington was unveiled at Paddington Station, and the character remains a beloved figure in British culture.

Death and Legacy:

• Michael Bond passed away on June 27, 2017, at the age of 91. His legacy endures through the enduring popularity of Paddington Bear, who continues to delight new generations of readers and viewers.
• Bond’s ability to create a character who embodied kindness, curiosity, and good manners made Paddington a universally beloved figure, one that resonated with readers across cultures and ages.

Bond’s warm, humorous stories have left a lasting impact, and his creation of Paddington Bear has cemented him as one of the great figures in 20th-century children’s literature.

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