how was this received ?
The most controversial novel ever written in Canada; mostly received well by critics;  Engel's writing craft was admired
Bear (novel)
"The Canadian Encyclopedia" notes that the book has been called "the most controversial novel ever written in Canada," and the notoriety around its subject matter brought Engel to national attention for the first time. At its publication, the novel was mostly received well by critics. Engel's writing craft was admired, with "The Globe and Mail" noting her "fine use of understatement, control, and economy." The book was received favorably outside of Canada as well; London's "Times Literary Supplement" wrote a positive review. Exceptions included novelist and critic Scott Symons, who called the book "spiritual gangrene... a Faustian compact with the Devil." The 1976 Governor General's Literary Award jury, which included authors Margaret Laurence, Alice Munro, and Mordecai Richler awarded "Bear" its English-language Fiction award, one of the highest literary prizes in the country.

In 2014, the paperback cover became an Internet meme, thanks to a widely shared Imgur post titled "WHAT THE 
who wrote the novel, bear? Marian Engel where is the novel set? District of Algoma in northeastern Ontario. who is the main character? Lou (who is a 27-year-old librarian) any other characters? Homer Campbell, Lucy Leroy could you please summarize the plot in a few words? A lonely librarian in northern Ontario who enters into a sexual relationship with a bear.
wiki:20094635
Bear (novel) [SEP] Reception
"The Canadian Encyclopedia" notes that the book has been called "the most controversial novel ever written in Canada," and the notoriety around its subject matter brought Engel to national attention for the first time. At its publication, the novel was mostly received well by critics. Engel's writing craft was admired, with "The Globe and Mail" noting her "fine use of understatement, control, and economy." The book was received favorably outside of Canada as well; London's "Times Literary Supplement" wrote a positive review. Exceptions included novelist and critic Scott Symons, who called the book "spiritual gangrene... a Faustian compact with the Devil." The 1976 Governor General's Literary Award jury, which included authors Margaret Laurence, Alice Munro, and Mordecai Richler awarded "Bear" its English-language Fiction award, one of the highest literary prizes in the country.