That bear ate my pants

That Bear Ate My Pants! by Tony James Slater
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A compilation of episodes of the adventures of a young Englishman who has gone to Ecuador to volunteer in an animal rescue facility. The narration is in conversational mode and is like listening to an enthusiastic storyteller at a campfire.

The author seems very keen to inject humour in every situation, almost like he has an OCD to do so.

The 1st half of the book is to set up the circumstances for the adventure and the second half is where he seems to have got his mojo for narration.

It is all about how he overcomes his fear for handling animals though he has an intrinsic love for them and is willing to go to any lengths to prove it.

It would be a good advertisement for people who plan to volunteer in exotic places and will give an idea of how to cope with difficult situations when you have to develop communication skills and in this case animal handling skills, on the job.

Also gives a peep into culture conflict. This excerpt will give you an idea - "He said it's a good idea because around here people don't break in and point a gun at you until you give them your valuables. It's too much trouble. Here they just break in and kill everyone straight away. Then they can take their time robbing the place."

Though the book is touted as a funny book, it would be more appropriate if it is termed an adventure book with a sense of humour.

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