The inspiration for The Durrells in Corfu, a Masterpiece production on public television: A naturalist’s account of his childhood on the exotic Greek island. When the Durrells could no longer endure the gray English climate, they did what any sensible family would do: sold their house and relocated to the sun-soaked island of Corfu. As they settled into their new home, hilarious mishaps … new home, hilarious mishaps ensued as a ten-year-old Gerald Durrell pursued his interest in natural history and explored the island’s fauna. Soon, toads and tortoises, bats and butterflies—as well as scorpions, geckos, ladybugs, praying mantises, octopuses, pigeons, and gulls—became a common sight in the Durrell villa.
Uproarious tales of the island’s animals and Durrell’s fond reflections on his family bring this delightful memoir to life. Capturing the joyous chaos of growing up in an unconventional household, My Family and Other Animals will transport you to a place you won’t want to leave.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author’s estate.
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I loved his writing style and word choices. It was laugh out loud.
I ordered this because I enjoyed the PBS series. The real story is entertaining, endearing and laugh out loud funny.
Other than the other two in the trilogy … one of my all time favorite, laugh out loud books!!!
A widowed British family decides to live in Corfu. The mother has three boys and one girl and each is a character in its own right. The youngest son is just fascinated by any kind of wildlife he can find and as luck will have it a professor befriends him and encourages him. He kind of starts a small zoo. The oldest son tries to become an author, the next son loves shooting and the girl goes through her own stages of growing up. Of course, there is interaction with the locals. Anyway, NPT offered even a film (through episodes) of this delightful novel.
Delightful saga of the Durrell family as they adjust to life without husband and father on a Greek island.
I ran into this book many years ago, and I could not forget it. It stroked me with the kindness and love of the family members for each other. I reread the book years after, and my impression didn’t change. The book seems to be very simple, but it provides and reflects deep thought about life, nature, and people.
The author first planned to write about nature at a Greek Island where his widowed mother with his siblings found residence for five years. At first, Gerald Durrell planned to write about fauna only, but as he said later “he allowed too many people on his pages.” If you read this book your heart will rest from worries!
Durrell portrays his family members the way he saw them at 10 years old. His interactions with animals and insects make you to love the world!
Simply charming!
Funny interesting and very colorfully written
Just couldn’t get into it.
If you have seen the PBS series of a similar name, you will love this book.
Delightful, and likely exaggerated accounts of the Durrell family. You have to love this family as you are exposed to their trials, tribulations, and oddities. Light hearted, humorous account of daily life for this unusual family provide a wonderful escape to another time and place. Gerald Durrell writes stories that amuse and leave you feeling light hearted and happy to know this family.
The Durrell stories are so much fun and takes you on a nice journey of life in Greece for an Ex-Pat.
Great book highly recommend
Great book – far better than the TV series. The beauty of the book was in the writing itself, which can never be duplicated by actors.
Goes into a lot of detail about the various creatures Gerry finds which can be too detailed. Story line is good and makes you want to get to know this quirky family.
Wonderful memoir with very entertaining characters and beautiful, natural descriptions that are never boring. Writing is humorous and informative both. I highly recommend this one!
Gerald Durrell comes from a wildly eccentric family and this book is all about that. When his father dies, in a move to stretch their resources, his mother takes Gerald, his two brothers, and his sister from England to a Mediterranean island to live. It’s a very different way of life for them but it suits them and seems to encourage their personal idiosyncrasies. Gerald is fascinated by animals, and most of these stories focus on his adventures with his numerous and varied animal friends, but he also tells you what it’s like coming from such an individualistic family, which includes his novelist brother, Lawrence Durrell. Gerald possess considerable writing skills of his own. This is a fun book to read.
Hilarious account of a British family living on the Greek island of Corfu from the youngest child’s perspective. Also an interesting naturalist account of the local fauna.
I had previously seen the PBS show. I really enjoyed this book as I could picture each character and also have more information that can be included in a book. Fascinating look at an alternative choice of places to live. Funny and enjoyable start to finish.
I loved this book. I had never heard of Gerald Durrell and am not by nature a naturalist, but Durrell made his passion so accessible that I was delighted and grateful to be introduced to his world in such an delightful way.