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Rescuing the Spectacled Bear
Both wildly funny and moving -- a journal of Stephen Fry’s bid to rescue Peru’s endangered spectacled bears.
Spectacled Bear: The spectacled bear is small and dark, ranging in colour from black to brown, and a few have a reddish tinge. It has distinctive circular or semicircular creamy white markings on the face around the eyes, reminiscent of spectacles.
Stephen Fry: Large, unwieldy and with a distinctive bent nose and characteristic rumbling tones. Wide-buttocked from hours of sitting at writing desks and on barstools.
It has been a personal mission of Stephen Fry’s to draw the world’s attention to this endangered species. A BBC television programme of Fry’s Peru trip was broadcast on New Year’s Day 2002, and a follow-up programme was made when he went back to Peru and helped to rescue a mate for the first young bear. This is his diary of the experience. It is packed with beautiful colour pictures of Stephen, bears and Peru and it is, of course, wildly funny. Stephen Fry is set to become the Diane Fossey of the bear world.
All author proceeds will go to “Bear Rescue.”
Spectacled Bear: The spectacled bear is small and dark, ranging in colour from black to brown, and a few have a reddish tinge. It has distinctive circular or semicircular creamy white markings on the face around the eyes, reminiscent of spectacles.
Stephen Fry: Large, unwieldy and with a distinctive bent nose and characteristic rumbling tones. Wide-buttocked from hours of sitting at writing desks and on barstools.
It has been a personal mission of Stephen Fry’s to draw the world’s attention to this endangered species. A BBC television programme of Fry’s Peru trip was broadcast on New Year’s Day 2002, and a follow-up programme was made when he went back to Peru and helped to rescue a mate for the first young bear. This is his diary of the experience. It is packed with beautiful colour pictures of Stephen, bears and Peru and it is, of course, wildly funny. Stephen Fry is set to become the Diane Fossey of the bear world.
All author proceeds will go to “Bear Rescue.”
208 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2002
5 people are currently reading
524 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Fry
300 books11.7k followersStephen John Fry is an English comedian, writer, actor, humourist, novelist, poet, columnist, filmmaker, television personality and technophile. As one half of the Fry and Laurie double act with his comedy partner, Hugh Laurie, he has appeared in A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. He is also famous for his roles in Blackadder and Wilde, and as the host of QI. In addition to writing for stage, screen, television and radio he has contributed columns and articles for numerous newspapers and magazines, and has also written four successful novels and a series of memoirs.
See also Mrs. Stephen Fry as a pseudonym of the author.
See also Mrs. Stephen Fry as a pseudonym of the author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 1, 2019
Heartbreaking and heartwarming. That's the best way to describe this book and the foundation Stephen Fry, together with others, has started.
Most of you, if any, might have heard of this bear (perhaps even without knowing the species' name) through some headlines not too long ago when an "alien-like creature" had been found in some deforested area of the Peruvian Amazonia. After some examination it was found that it was indeed not E.T. but a bear that had been starving and caught several parasites which caused the poor thing to lose all its fur. It became a symbol for what happens when you force animals out of their habitat for money and the already big campaign against lumbering in the Amazonian jungle got some more drive.
That is the kind of bear we're talking about here. The above mentioned incident happened after the events of this book.
I dwell on this history of Fujimori because it seems to me in many ways to present a condensed history of Peru that is closer to the destiny of Spectacled Bears than you might think. From disaster to promise back to disaster again, by way of hope, violence, corruption and incompetence.
As usual, Stephen Fry has done a fantastic job of not only telling us of the titular Spectacled Bears but of the country they live in - its history as well as economy, which all tie in to the fate of these wonderful, shy, and elusive creatures.
There is more love in a sterile syringe than all the herbal teas in China.
(This about the treatment for the two female bears they rescued and how moved Fry was to see everything modern medicine has to offer as a way of helping them, which made him think of some friends at home who swear on homeopathy - which Fry himself, bless him, apparently likes about as much as I do.)
A little bit of background perhaps:
In 2001 the BBC made a documentary called Paddington Bear: The Early Years (sadly, there seems no way I can watch this, it seems to have been on TV exclusively *sniffles*), detailing what kind of bear the beloved children's book character was, where those bears come from (yes, there are bears in South America!), what their habitats look like, what their situation is. One bear, Yogi, was rescued from a cruel fate and brought to a better enclosure.
This moved Stephen Fry so much that he and some other people (working WITH the BBC but not FOR the BBC this time) set out to start the afore-mentioned foundation and rescue even more bears (also by buying land where they could live) only a few months later.
This book, then, chronicles the rescue of two female bears that had been held in a café (I'm not kidding, that owner should be tortured to death), the relocation of two males from a "zoo", as well as the first date of Paula (another rescued female) and Yogi.
Sadly, Fry didn't get to spend too much time with the animals so we mostly read about the journey itself: the political situation, the infuriating corruption on all levels of society, the way a number of normal people help because conserving their country's fauna and flora is important to them no matter how little they have themselves, diarrhoea (oh yeah), the stark difference between Peru and Chile (I had no idea), some historical sites, but also the impressive and diverse nature that can be found in Peru.
You have mountains that are second in height only to the Himalayas, you have beaches, you have incredibly hot/humid and loud jungles, you have the famous Nasca lines in the driest desert on the planet, you have lakes, glens and valleys that remind one of the Scottish highlands (high and cold/dry places), you have the famous Machu Pichu, you have 10% of the world's bird population in the Peruvian part of Amazonia alone!
Bears, being high up in the food chain and the largest mammal in the country, are what is known as an Index Species. The fate and health of the bear is a kind of barometer of the well-being and destiny of the entire ecosystem they inhabit.
And I'm sorry to say but in that case it looks very bleak indeed. I understand that this is not a first world country and that most things are run differently (no judgement), but what is described here alone is so incredibly unimaginable and it can only be worse on a bigger scale.
It's a good thing then that Stephen Fry has used his trademark humour in this book or else I might have beaten someone to death with it. The dry wit, his spot-on observations, his clumsiness ... it's all so endearing.
I like that Fry tried to stay optimistic and that he's never patronizing the country or people in it, but he does take a critical look at all kinds of aspects and doesn't shy away from naming the problems.
The epilogue was very rewarding and moving and I will check out that website to see if the foundation still exists and, possibly, to see how Paula and Yogi are doing (they put up cameras).
I hope the species can make it.
Most of you, if any, might have heard of this bear (perhaps even without knowing the species' name) through some headlines not too long ago when an "alien-like creature" had been found in some deforested area of the Peruvian Amazonia. After some examination it was found that it was indeed not E.T. but a bear that had been starving and caught several parasites which caused the poor thing to lose all its fur. It became a symbol for what happens when you force animals out of their habitat for money and the already big campaign against lumbering in the Amazonian jungle got some more drive.
That is the kind of bear we're talking about here. The above mentioned incident happened after the events of this book.
I dwell on this history of Fujimori because it seems to me in many ways to present a condensed history of Peru that is closer to the destiny of Spectacled Bears than you might think. From disaster to promise back to disaster again, by way of hope, violence, corruption and incompetence.
As usual, Stephen Fry has done a fantastic job of not only telling us of the titular Spectacled Bears but of the country they live in - its history as well as economy, which all tie in to the fate of these wonderful, shy, and elusive creatures.
There is more love in a sterile syringe than all the herbal teas in China.
(This about the treatment for the two female bears they rescued and how moved Fry was to see everything modern medicine has to offer as a way of helping them, which made him think of some friends at home who swear on homeopathy - which Fry himself, bless him, apparently likes about as much as I do.)
A little bit of background perhaps:
In 2001 the BBC made a documentary called Paddington Bear: The Early Years (sadly, there seems no way I can watch this, it seems to have been on TV exclusively *sniffles*), detailing what kind of bear the beloved children's book character was, where those bears come from (yes, there are bears in South America!), what their habitats look like, what their situation is. One bear, Yogi, was rescued from a cruel fate and brought to a better enclosure.
This moved Stephen Fry so much that he and some other people (working WITH the BBC but not FOR the BBC this time) set out to start the afore-mentioned foundation and rescue even more bears (also by buying land where they could live) only a few months later.
This book, then, chronicles the rescue of two female bears that had been held in a café (I'm not kidding, that owner should be tortured to death), the relocation of two males from a "zoo", as well as the first date of Paula (another rescued female) and Yogi.
Sadly, Fry didn't get to spend too much time with the animals so we mostly read about the journey itself: the political situation, the infuriating corruption on all levels of society, the way a number of normal people help because conserving their country's fauna and flora is important to them no matter how little they have themselves, diarrhoea (oh yeah), the stark difference between Peru and Chile (I had no idea), some historical sites, but also the impressive and diverse nature that can be found in Peru.
You have mountains that are second in height only to the Himalayas, you have beaches, you have incredibly hot/humid and loud jungles, you have the famous Nasca lines in the driest desert on the planet, you have lakes, glens and valleys that remind one of the Scottish highlands (high and cold/dry places), you have the famous Machu Pichu, you have 10% of the world's bird population in the Peruvian part of Amazonia alone!
Bears, being high up in the food chain and the largest mammal in the country, are what is known as an Index Species. The fate and health of the bear is a kind of barometer of the well-being and destiny of the entire ecosystem they inhabit.
And I'm sorry to say but in that case it looks very bleak indeed. I understand that this is not a first world country and that most things are run differently (no judgement), but what is described here alone is so incredibly unimaginable and it can only be worse on a bigger scale.
It's a good thing then that Stephen Fry has used his trademark humour in this book or else I might have beaten someone to death with it. The dry wit, his spot-on observations, his clumsiness ... it's all so endearing.
I like that Fry tried to stay optimistic and that he's never patronizing the country or people in it, but he does take a critical look at all kinds of aspects and doesn't shy away from naming the problems.
The epilogue was very rewarding and moving and I will check out that website to see if the foundation still exists and, possibly, to see how Paula and Yogi are doing (they put up cameras).
I hope the species can make it.
September 24, 2008
This was a nice wee book. The thing I like most about Fry’s writing is that it is disarmingly honest. He does not hold back any details about what happens to him and is remarkably up-front about things many of us would, in a like situation, probably prefer not to talk about.
He is, of course, often very funny, although less in this book than I had expected.
This story – the story behind his making of a documentary about Peruvian Spectacled Bears – was a fascinating little slice of life. I learned a lot about Peru, bears, and other little bits and bobs along the way that amused or outraged me. I would very much like to see the documentaries now referred to in the book. I tried to find the website referred to in the book too – but that seems to have closed down.
His understanding of Chilean politics is a bit iffy – but he admits this himself. Despite the fact he is known in Britain as the celebrity most likely to know everything about everything, I always find this puts an unreasonable amount of pressure upon him. All the same, as the man with the questions on QI there is hardly anything he is not to be forgiven.
I’m becoming increasingly fond of well-written biographies and Fry does write a good biography – I’ve moved on to Moab is My Washpot now, as recommended by Ginnie. And so far, so good.
Peru sounds like a remarkably beautiful country – well, as long as one doesn’t drink the water.
He is, of course, often very funny, although less in this book than I had expected.
This story – the story behind his making of a documentary about Peruvian Spectacled Bears – was a fascinating little slice of life. I learned a lot about Peru, bears, and other little bits and bobs along the way that amused or outraged me. I would very much like to see the documentaries now referred to in the book. I tried to find the website referred to in the book too – but that seems to have closed down.
His understanding of Chilean politics is a bit iffy – but he admits this himself. Despite the fact he is known in Britain as the celebrity most likely to know everything about everything, I always find this puts an unreasonable amount of pressure upon him. All the same, as the man with the questions on QI there is hardly anything he is not to be forgiven.
I’m becoming increasingly fond of well-written biographies and Fry does write a good biography – I’ve moved on to Moab is My Washpot now, as recommended by Ginnie. And so far, so good.
Peru sounds like a remarkably beautiful country – well, as long as one doesn’t drink the water.
February 7, 2017
I purchased Rescuing the Spectacled Bear because I didn't like to think there was a Stephen Fry book out there which I hadn't devoured. As ever, his writing is witty and quite amusing in places, but unfortunately, the book has been quite poorly edited (no fault of the author's, of course, but it does render some of the sentences a little jarring and confusing). It is a lovely idea, to chronicle such an important programme in the way in which Fry has, and the accompanying photographs were nicely formatted alongside the text. More of a gift book than a literary read, Rescuing the Spectacled Bear is a little briefer than other Fry tomes, but he highlights such important issues that it is a must read if you care at all about animal conservation.
dnf-p50-rule
March 20, 2013I couldn't finish listening. Hearing how horrible the conditions were for the animals in general and the bears in particular was breaking my heart. I started crying at work (was listening on my iPod while doing database work) and had to turn it off. As amazing and wonderful I'm sure they story eventually gets, I can't handle the misery of their first meet with the bears they were rescuing.
September 30, 2011
I could probably read anything written by Stephen Fry; he’ s a very self-aware writer, in the sense that you know he knows he’s writing for an audience, rather than writing for the sake of the story or chronicling, but as he’s a witty, engaging entertainer, that’s not necessarily a flaw.
Rescuing the Spectacled Bear is one of his shallower offerings; it touches on the history and ecology of Peru, and the filmed events of the BBC’s series, but as travelogues/celebrity diaries go, there is more flash than substance to this book… aside from ranting about the corruption, luxuriating in hotel suites or running to the loo, a basic breakdown of the days events is all you get; the glossy photos of Spectacled bears rarely have anything to do with the text (except the adorable last set) and even the landscape photography is often used as a background for a splashy display of some enthusiastic quote-from-the-text. I understand that this book was published to raise money and awareness for charity, and aimed at people who didn’t necessarily want an in-depth evaluation of the species and its habitat, but honestly, I was expecting to read a lot more about spectacled bears and lot less about Fry’s addiction to gadgets.
There are some lovely passages, that said. There’s a reason why I claim I could probably read anything by the author. When he’s on form, he’s bloody brilliant. He also enjoys garnered facts, and can be steadfastly relied upon to share them, so the reader is bound to pick up something interesting. Personally, I was shocked at the story of Yungay’s tragedy, as shocked that I’d never even heard of it, as much as by the events themselves. Three minutes – ninety seconds - for a glacier landslide to wipe out a town of eighty thousand people. Okay, I wasn’t born yet, but in the wake of numerous global catastrophes, why isn’t this cited more? Or have I just been oblivious? Huh, shut up.
Finally, Rescuing the Spectacled Bear was written for a good cause. So I’m glad I’ve added it to my collection of things-by-Fry, but I won’t be desperately waiting for ‘real’ non-fiction by the author that isn’t strictly Stephen-centric.
Rescuing the Spectacled Bear is one of his shallower offerings; it touches on the history and ecology of Peru, and the filmed events of the BBC’s series, but as travelogues/celebrity diaries go, there is more flash than substance to this book… aside from ranting about the corruption, luxuriating in hotel suites or running to the loo, a basic breakdown of the days events is all you get; the glossy photos of Spectacled bears rarely have anything to do with the text (except the adorable last set) and even the landscape photography is often used as a background for a splashy display of some enthusiastic quote-from-the-text. I understand that this book was published to raise money and awareness for charity, and aimed at people who didn’t necessarily want an in-depth evaluation of the species and its habitat, but honestly, I was expecting to read a lot more about spectacled bears and lot less about Fry’s addiction to gadgets.
There are some lovely passages, that said. There’s a reason why I claim I could probably read anything by the author. When he’s on form, he’s bloody brilliant. He also enjoys garnered facts, and can be steadfastly relied upon to share them, so the reader is bound to pick up something interesting. Personally, I was shocked at the story of Yungay’s tragedy, as shocked that I’d never even heard of it, as much as by the events themselves. Three minutes – ninety seconds - for a glacier landslide to wipe out a town of eighty thousand people. Okay, I wasn’t born yet, but in the wake of numerous global catastrophes, why isn’t this cited more? Or have I just been oblivious? Huh, shut up.
Finally, Rescuing the Spectacled Bear was written for a good cause. So I’m glad I’ve added it to my collection of things-by-Fry, but I won’t be desperately waiting for ‘real’ non-fiction by the author that isn’t strictly Stephen-centric.
August 3, 2014
A charming little book written by Stephen Fry to tie in with the documentary he did on the Spectacled Bears of Peru.
Lively, interesting and engaging, the book was, alas, far too short.
A delightful way, however, to spend a quiet evening.
Lively, interesting and engaging, the book was, alas, far too short.
A delightful way, however, to spend a quiet evening.
May 3, 2018
Fry is an excellent writer and this book was a bit of a let down. I was expecting more photos, the diary entries were a bit disjointed, you never find out what happens to the two female bears Maria and Anita.. The storyline goes back and forth and is hard to follow.
March 11, 2014
Finally read my first Stephen Fry book. Very impressed by it, and it was a fun quick read.
He has that British wit that is so easy to become enamored with.
He has that British wit that is so easy to become enamored with.
July 11, 2018
This was a quick read, but was heartfelt and an honest account of Fry's time working to save various Spectacled Bears. The book is a diary for his time there for a program about the Spectacled Bears. Due to circumstances (and corruption) outside of his control they are unable to see bears in the wild, only rescue captives, but his does a great job conveying the work that is needed to continuing saving the bears while delivering a humorous and human account of his time in Peru and Chile.
January 30, 2017
This book, as a travelogue of a trip through Peru, is quite good. Stephen Fry is witty, funny, and often insightful about the country he is visiting. The text, done in journal form, is easy to read, and it is accompanied by a generous number of absolutely breathtaking photographs. Fry takes readers through Lima and Cuzco, to the Nazca Lines and into the Amazon Rainforest, and what a journey it is! While I found all of this fascinating--Peru is on my bucket list; I would love to travel there someday--my one complaint would have to be that this book left me very thirsty for more. I wished Fry would have been able to tell us more about the spectacled bears. I had bought the book mostly because I wanted to know more about Paddington Bear's species, but I found that this short journal did not spend enough time talking about the bears to satisfy my craving for knowledge about them. In fact, even on the subjects of the Nazca lines and the Amazon Rainforest and the other sites Fry and the crew visited, Fry seemed to offer teasers--just enough information to get me really interested, but leaving me wanting to know more, more, more! This book is certainly worth reading, but now that I've read it, I'll be on the lookout for more books about Peru.
January 25, 2014
This was a fun little book without a lot of substance, but what was there was good (you'll notice I even shelved it as "art," since much of the book is photography). The book is a published version of Fry's travel/production diary from a trip to Peru filming a documentary on spectacled bears. I learned a bit about Peru, a bit about spectacled bears, and a bit about documentary film making. All of these were interesting, but none went into depth. Still, it was a good introduction to the subject, and entertaining at that. The photographs are lovely, and I'm very happy I read the book. It's not one of Fry's classics, but it's still good and made me more aware of an important issue. I'd say it's done its job.
November 25, 2011
This is a cute little book, Fry addresses the lifetyle of the bears, as well as the environment of Peru. I was deceived by the cuteness of parts in the book such as when Fry is encouraged to do this interview by a toy Paddington in a mail package with the note 'will you take me home?', or the comedy at the beginning. This narrative involves bowel movements, government corruption, and a charitable appeal at the end of the book. All in all, this is an interesting piece. I really quite like Mr. Fry's writing.
Read
August 4, 2011Entertaining and informative in equal measure, Peru and the plight of this most secretive of bears are brought to life in a way only possible by sticking Stephen Fry halfway up a mountain.
And if My Fry's colourful prose isn't enough for you, then there are some breathtaking pictures of one of the most varied and vivid landscapes in South America.
As Mr Fry says, buy this book and save a bear.
And if My Fry's colourful prose isn't enough for you, then there are some breathtaking pictures of one of the most varied and vivid landscapes in South America.
As Mr Fry says, buy this book and save a bear.
June 7, 2012
This was excellent. Stephen Fry made a documentary for the BBC about the spectacled bears in Peru (now highly endangered). As he made the documentary, he kept a journal, and this book is the content of the journals.
The book was read by the author, which really added to experience. Part travelogue, part behind-the-scenes-making-of-a-documentary, this is humorous and informative. Stephen Fry is working behalf of a bear rescue group.
The book was read by the author, which really added to experience. Part travelogue, part behind-the-scenes-making-of-a-documentary, this is humorous and informative. Stephen Fry is working behalf of a bear rescue group.
November 1, 2010
“Rescuing the Spectacled Bear” barely (ooh, a bear pun) qualifies as a blog entry let alone a book, but Fry is occasionally funny (assuming you are amused by gastric distress) and includes a few light facts about Peru and spectacled bears. Approach the book with low expectations and you won’t be disappointed.
April 26, 2008
Lovely book with beautiful pictures. Fry always writes beautifully and this non-fiction book is no excetion. I would've liked some more details about the expedition and the bears they set out to save, but all in all a very nice book.
July 11, 2011
The description of the noisy jungle at night is one of the funniest single passages I've ever written. Otherwise, it doesn't flow quite as well as Fry's other nature book that I read (Last Chance to See).
January 6, 2014
Fry's writing always makes glaringly obvious his love for the English language, which is what makes it such a pleasure to read. This book was a quick read about a topic I likely wouldn't have pursued if written by anyone else, but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless.
April 18, 2017
Listened to this years ago and it struck me as poor, slow moving and not very interesting especially since it's by Stephen Fry. There is a description near the end of the rainforest which is really good but apart from that I found it a bit boring.
May 7, 2009
I could listen to him read forever. And his descriptions of Peru and Chile are both breathtaking and alarming. Definitely worth the listen/read.
August 4, 2009
A nice blend of ecology/travel/history. Narrated with usual Fry candid style. Leaves you feeling it was too short ...
I listened to the audiobook edition, narrated by Fry himself.
I listened to the audiobook edition, narrated by Fry himself.
October 16, 2012
Although Steven Fry is as humorous and witty as always, this little travel narrative lacked a strong story, making it more like reading a diary than a book.
January 21, 2013
i really enjoyed the journey of finding and saving these beautiful bears all with the usual comedy of Stephen Fry. Beautiful book.
November 14, 2014
Truly hilarious, the audiobook makes a great addition. It is well written and laugh out loud deliciously Fry.
March 18, 2015
Interesting tale. Very informative and I can honestly say I enjoyed the 'listen'. Stephen Fry is my favorite reader of audio books :)
To anyone who is interested in animals, have a go!
To anyone who is interested in animals, have a go!
April 21, 2016
Spectacled bears and diarrhea. The bear bits were fun, but diarrhea... Fry, why?
November 2, 2024
Viele denken beim Brillenbär gleich an den wohl bekanntesten Vertreter, nämlich Paddington. Dass dessen Artgenossen gefährdet sind, wissen die wenigsten. Tatsächlich war es eine Reportage über die Figur Paddington, die Stephen Fry auf zwei ganz reale Vertreter seiner Art brachte. Die beiden lebten in einem Tierpark unter schlimmen Bedingungen und Fry und sein Team wollten ihre Lebensbedingungen verbessern. Natürlich hätten sie das in aller Stille machen können. Aber sie nutzten die Bekanntheit von Stephen Fry ganz bewusst dafür, um auf die Situation der Brillenbären aufmerksam zu machen.
Die Erzählung wirkt auf den ersten Blick wie eine typische Reisebeschreibung von Stephen Fry. Herrlich selbstironisch erzählt er von riesigen Wanderstiefeln und Betten, die extra für ihn angefertigt wurden. Von einem muffelnden Schneider (und gleich darauf von Kollegen, die noch viel schlimmer riechen) und Nächten, die er auf der Toilette verbringen musste, weil er wieder einmal alle Ratschläge bezüglich des Essens und Trinkens in den Wind geschlagen hat.
Aber er kann auch anders. Fry beschreibt sehr deutlich die Umstände der Rettungsaktion. Von Bestechungsgeldern, die reichlich geflossen sind und doch nicht genug waren. Von Tierärzten, die ihr Leben riskieren um zu helfen. Die Bedrohung kam dabei nicht von den Tieren. Er erzählt, wie erschüttert er war als er die Bären das erste Mal gesehen hat. Und wie glücklich die beiden in ihrem neuen Zuhause waren. Ein Zuhause, über das man bei uns nur den Kopf schütteln würde und das für die beiden Brillenbären wie das Paradies wirkte. Dieser Teil hat mich sehr berührt.
Ich hatte Bear eine andere Geschichte erwartet. Aber ich hätte keine bessere finden können.
Die Erzählung wirkt auf den ersten Blick wie eine typische Reisebeschreibung von Stephen Fry. Herrlich selbstironisch erzählt er von riesigen Wanderstiefeln und Betten, die extra für ihn angefertigt wurden. Von einem muffelnden Schneider (und gleich darauf von Kollegen, die noch viel schlimmer riechen) und Nächten, die er auf der Toilette verbringen musste, weil er wieder einmal alle Ratschläge bezüglich des Essens und Trinkens in den Wind geschlagen hat.
Aber er kann auch anders. Fry beschreibt sehr deutlich die Umstände der Rettungsaktion. Von Bestechungsgeldern, die reichlich geflossen sind und doch nicht genug waren. Von Tierärzten, die ihr Leben riskieren um zu helfen. Die Bedrohung kam dabei nicht von den Tieren. Er erzählt, wie erschüttert er war als er die Bären das erste Mal gesehen hat. Und wie glücklich die beiden in ihrem neuen Zuhause waren. Ein Zuhause, über das man bei uns nur den Kopf schütteln würde und das für die beiden Brillenbären wie das Paradies wirkte. Dieser Teil hat mich sehr berührt.
Ich hatte Bear eine andere Geschichte erwartet. Aber ich hätte keine bessere finden können.
June 4, 2022
I read it as a die hard bear nerd and from that angel there wasn’t too much bear stuff. But saying that learning about Peru and hearing Stephen talk about his travels still feels magical and makes me even more determined to go out to Peru myself one day!
August 30, 2024
Loved the bears, loved Stephen Fry's wit and humility, but less interested in the journeys between locations, but then I've always found travel journals tedious. Stephen Fry's is one of the few that I would bother reading.
July 30, 2025
+1 star for the Stephen Fry of it all, but by god what a slog. for sure this subject is better served by the documentary itself as this tour diary of sorts is a litany of complaint. somewhat entertaining in how overwhelmingly British Fry's writing is. some great photos though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews