Review of 'Rupert: A Bear's Life'

Rupert: A Bear's Life by George Perry

This biography tells the story of the well-loved Rupert the bear, Britain's longest-lived children's comic character. Having come into existence in the pages of the Daily Express newspaper in 1920 he has managed to live on through war and changing political climates. He was originally drawn by Mary Tourtel until 1935 when this was handed over to Alfred Bestall. This book was written and revised while Bestall was still alive on the 65th anniversary of Rupert and living in Wales following a documentary by Terry Jones (of Monty Python fame) about the bear was broadcast on Britain's channel 4. It is copiously illustrated including many frames from the comic strip including some full stories.

It is clear in this book that Rupert was never meant as an erudite venture but rather a commercial endeavour from the very beginning. Despite this the British do hold the bear deep in their hearts. It is his simple outlook on life and fun, gentle adventures that endears him to fans. The simple, clear drawing with lines from the story appearing below each frame is something that has never changed. Rupert is timeless and never seems to inhabit a world of a particular era though certain elements have not aged well in particular some casual racist language of the period. Despite this I remember myself receiving the famous Rupert annuals every year as a child despite living in Canada from a British grandparent who I am sure fondly remembered him while growing up.

The soft-cover edition I reviewed has an obituary of Bestall and a list of all published annuals at the back. The hardcover annuals were a yearly chance for the artist to create a full colour front and back panorama featuring the bear (oddly with brown fur despite colour strips always depicting him with white fur).

An interesting and detailed look at the life of the famous bear that never looks too deeply at meaning but sticks mostly to the facts. Perhaps a bit too many illustrations but then, that is all that Rupert ever was…

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2025-12-14

Genre: Autobiography

Publisher: Pavilion Books

Publication Date: 1991

ISBN: 1851451498