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There's a Bear in There (and He Wants Swedish)

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Merridy Eastman is an Australian actress who's been in various Aussie TV soaps including "Neighbours", and as the blurb engagingly says, "a swag of productions" on the stage. But she's best known to a generation down under as the presenter of the Australian version of the British childrens' TV show, "Play School". This is very similar to the British original - same toys, same windows - but with a unique line in inane songs, notably the theme, "There's a Bear in There", sung (badly she says) by Merridy. Hence the title.

Because it was something of a change in career direction when, "resting" for longer than intended, Merridy took a job as night receptionist in a Sydney brothel. (It says much about Australia that brothels can advertise with job agencies, but there you go.) The result was an extraordinary adventure lasting more than a year, in which she got to know the prostitutes very well - and to like and respect them. She decided she couldn't "cross to the other side" and do what they did, but she was fascinated by those who could. Some of the girls were initially very suspicious of her, but when they realised that she only looked so familiar because she was the "Play School" presenter, everyone relaxed.

Apparently Merridy never intended to write a book, but was bombarded by so many questions from friends (especially women) about what it was like that she thought she'd better start taking notes. Some of the best ideas for books happen by accident, and this was one of them. She's a natural writer and her book is often very funny, as well as very understanding towards the prostitutes. The disfunctional couple who owned and ran the brothel don't come out so favourably. All in all it's totally original and very entertaining, and is highly recommended.

Lightheartedly and expressively written, this book is very engaging and easy to read. It tracks a year in the life of an out-of-work actress, who for reasons which frustratingly remain unexplained at the book's conclusion, chooses to work as a brothel receptionist for a year.

The book's subplot is the touchingly sad account of her relationship with the brothel's resident driver, who takes advantage of her as much as Merridy's sadistic, unstable bosses.

The most haunting character in the book is Antoinette, an ageing prostitute with the soul insight of a psychiatrist or mystic.

The book ultimately falls flat, as a sizeable number of biographies or "true-story" books do, due to it's lack of satisfying answers at the book's end. But isn't that life itself?

Merridy Eastman's book, There's a Bear in There, begins as a humorous insight into the lives of people who work in the profession of prostitution. However, as the story unfolds we witness how the author is willing to be subjected to abuse herself, whilst working under Boris and Sofia. Therefore, reveals much about her character, as she desperately wants to be accepted by these offensive people and works under their conditions. It is this character trait that is probably the reason she lacks the insight of her own writing and undermines her work in her acknowledgements. After revealing the vulnerabilities of many of her characters, she ridiculously states, `contrary to popular belief, many women freely choose to work as prostitutes...' Obviously her understanding of free will and mine are very different. There is a difference between making a free choice to survive and making a free choice from a secure sense of self. Consequently, her book ends up becoming another misconception, regarding the people who work in prostitution, which is very unfortunate.