Adventures in Yap

by Clyman Otis

60 pages, Hardcover

Reviews

[Nd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this both interesting and hilarious. Until I came across the book, written by a fellow Georgian, I wasn't aware that there was an island called Yap. Following the late 1990s recession, the author accepted a job there as construction engineer for the Yap State Government.

Unlike the idyllic Micronesian island he might have anticipated, he discovered that one of the prime activities (resulting in otherwise low activity) of the Yapese was chewing betel nuts, the dribbles of which left their teeth and front sides, as well as the walkways and paths, stained a bloody-looking red. In the telling of his adventures, it is wit and phraseology that make it such a funny read. Otis's depictions of island living with his invertebrate and lizzardy creepy-crawly roomates, not to mention his travel on precariously undersized boats and the pieced-together plane to Yap's main island, to work, and on vacation trips, is more mirthful than sardonic and it's cleverly done.

I laughed all the way through and, as a result, was prompted to try to learn a bit more about Micronesia as well.

[Kal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not a huge fan of the book as it left a lot to be desired but it did have some funny parts and it was a quick read.