The Puma Years

A Memoir

By: Laura Coleman

Narrated by: Laura Coleman

In this rapturous memoir, writer and activist Laura Coleman shares the story of her liberating journey in the Amazon jungle, where she fell in love with a magnificent cat who changed her life.

Laura was in her early twenties and directionless when she quit her job to backpack in Bolivia. Fate landed her at a wildlife sanctuary on the edge of the Amazon jungle where she was assigned to a beautiful and complex puma named Wayra. Wide-eyed, inexperienced, and comically terrified, Laura made the scrappy, make-do camp her home. And in Wayra, she made a friend for life.

They weren’t alone, not with over a hundred quirky animals to care for, each lost and hurt in their own way: a pair of suicidal, bra-stealing monkeys, a frustrated parrot desperate to fly, and a pig with a wicked sense of humor. The humans too were cause for laughter and tears. There were animal whisperers, committed staff, wildly devoted volunteers, handsome heartbreakers, and a machete-wielding prom queen who carried Laura through. Most of all, there was the jungle - lyrical and alive - and there was Wayra, who would ultimately teach Laura so much about love, healing, and the person she was capable of becoming.

Set against a turbulent and poignant backdrop of deforestation, the illegal pet trade, and forest fires, The Puma Years explores what happens when two desperate creatures in need of rescue find one another.

©2021 Laura Coleman. “She Unnames Them” by Ursula K. Le Guin was published in the January 21, 1985, print edition of the New Yorker magazine. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Coleman's lovely English voice sounds emotionally honest, self-reflective, and expressive. She illuminates her story with a sense of place - its wet seasons, terrifying forest fires, dispiriting mass logging, and torturous mosquitoes.... Coleman's voice grows more confident as she finds her purpose and her people.” (AudioFile Magazine)

“The Puma Years is a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the animals rescued by a sanctuary, Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi, in Bolivia. And it is the heartwarming story of the relationship that grew up between Laura Coleman and a puma, a relationship that only deepened over the years. I visited the sanctuary years ago - what a wonderful place, dedicated staff and passionate volunteers. Engaging and inspiring - you will love this book.” (Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace)

“Readers will be hooked by Coleman’s compelling storytelling right from the opening pages.... There are poignant breakthroughs, unsettling setbacks, terrifying dangers, narrow escapes, heartbreaking separations and reunions, and hookups and relationships, all channeled through Coleman’s honest, wry, self-effacing, and always entertaining narrative.... This is an amazing tale, one that readers will remember.” (Booklist, starred review)

Amazing, inspiring & Heartwarming!

Thank you for writing this wonderful memoir of love and caring for our world's beautiful animals. What an experience in the jungles of Bolivia. I am a large & small cat lover & spend my retirement rescuing ferel cats from the streets of Mexico. It is so rewarding. This book is truly inspiring.

Authors should not narrate

Lovely and interesting story, but I really think authors should not narrate their own stories, especially if they can't do accents or male and female voices.

Unforgettable

This is an inspiring book. it merges the spontaneity of youth with basic survival in the Bolivian jungle and an unforgettable love of a very special cat!

Absolutely incredible!

This book was absolutely phenomenal. I felt like I was in the jungle with her, and was so invested in each of the unique, funny, and sassy animals. I bought a hard copy as well so I can “hold” onto this one - it’s that good

I'm in completely awe!

Thank you for this amazing memoir! The author brings everything to complete life through her storytelling. I laughed, I cried, snorted out loud during work, and basically became enthralled!