As I listened to this audiobook, I thought this would be better to read as a hard copy. I didn’t love the audio, but the author’s words about her experience are gorgeous and deserve a slow, savory chew.

The Puma Years is an interesting memoir of a woman who spent time off the grid in the Bolivian jungle and had a special relationship with one of the big cats. It was enjoyable and a good book overall.

A lovely (and sometimes horrifying) memoir about the author's transformative experience working with a big cat and animal rescue in the jungles of Bolivia. Y'all the jungle is INTENSE! It was fascinating to me to read how the jungle seemed to liberate so many of the volunteers who lived there-- they felt more free and truly themselves than anywhere else. But the jungle was also killing and exhausting them. It was a fascinating dichotomy. I was happy to live vicariously though the author's experiences and was moved by the dedication that she and the other staff and volunteers showed in their work. The discussion of the burning and cutting of the Amazon and the increased environmental impact was sobering.

3.5

3.75 - I really struggled to get through this one. While I acknowledge this is a memoir and the author’s purpose is not to present perfect prose, I struggled a bit with the writing style. It dragged in many parts, presenting too many details on the same aspects (i.e. walking the cats, random gross elements, etc.) and not enough on others (i.e. the perspective of locals, the stories of other volunteers, etc.).

I actually found part 3 (the final section) to be far and away the most compelling part of the narrative, which was unfortunately also the shortest. Laura’s relationship with Wayra is very beautiful and left a lasting impression, and it was wonderful to see that Laura was able to maintain a connection to the parque while finding her life’s purpose along the way. I did find the author’s description of the “weirdness” and grief that she felt after experiencing so much death and change to be compelling and very relatable despite referring to situations and relationships with exotic animals that the average reader will never experience. I also felt a sense of grief as the roads and fires began to close in around them. One moment I found particularly poignant is when she was spending time with Wayra, listening to the sounds of the jungle when a car alarm can be heard in the distance.

Probably my biggest critique of the last section of the book is that it did not provide any actionable suggestions to the reader. She presented the acute sense of direness of the ecological situation in Bolivia, but I think it could have left a bigger impact if she had provided suggestions on how the reader can provide aid or make a difference without hopping on a plane to Bolivia. Even just a general encouragement for the reader to perform their own research would have been appropriate but then again the average person reading this book in the first place is likely well-versed in climate change and the environmental crisis in the Amazon.

The Puma Years is the story of Laura Coleman, a young woman who leaves her unfulfilling life in England to travel in Bolivia. There she volunteers at a wildlife sanctuary in the jungle, where she is assigned to take care of Wayra, a rescued puma. Despite the uncomfortable, primitive conditions and the constant fear, Laura discovers this jungle home may also rescue her.

Coleman's vivid writing brings the jungle experience to life with thrilling intensity and emotion. The book also doesn't shy away from the effects of climate change, deforestation, and wild animal poaching and illegal pet trade. It was wonderful to escape with Laura and Wayra to their magical place, and I was left wanting to rescue all of the people and animals at the sanctuary, and the Amazon itself.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

this was a very hard book to get through for me. but i wanted to finish it in 2023 so i forced myself to self to just finish it and it was very touching. the pictures at the end really brought tears to my eyes seeing everyone in real pictures brought the story to life.