Sometimes it's pretty hard to tell them apart... my family and the animals, that is. I don't know why my brothers and sisters complain so much. With snakes in the bath and scorpions on the lunch table, our house, on the island of Corfu, is a bit like a circus. So they should feel right at home...
My Family and Other Animals
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As a self-described "champion of small uglies," Gerald Durrell (1925-1995) devoted his life to writing and the preservation of wildlife, from the Mauritius pink pigeon to the Rodriques fruit bat. My Family and Other Animals was intended to embrace the natural history of the Greek island of Corfu, but ended up as a delightful account of his family's experiences that were, according to him, "rather like living in one of the more flamboyant and slapstick comic operas".
As a 10-year-old boy, Gerry left England for Corfu with "all those items that I thought necessary to relieve the tedium of a long journey: four books on natural history, a butterfly net, a dog, and a jam-jar full of caterpillars all in imminent danger of turning into chrysalids". Durrell's descriptions of his family and its many eccentric hangers-on (he stresses that "all the anecdotes about the island and the islanders are absolutely true") are highly entertaining, as is the procession of toads, scorpions, geckos, ladybugs, glowworms, octopuses, the puppies Widdle and Puke, and the Magenpies. This is a lovely book. --Christine Buttery --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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* Hugh Bonneville gives a lovely reading...Delicious! Daily Express * Hugh Bonneville...relishes his succession of roles. The Times
--This text refers to the
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July had been blown out like a candle by a biting wind that ushered in a leaden August sky. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
July had been blown out like a candle by a biting wind that ushered in a leaden August sky. Read the first page
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
37 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What can I say about this wonderful book that can possibly do it justice? I first read it 30 years ago, and I am convinced that it was on the strength of this book that I passed my English Literature G.C.E!! It is an incredible book. It is full of funny, warm characters, and of course, the amazing animals! It must have been like heaven to be a small boy on the island of Corfu. It was this book which made me determined to visit Corfu one day, and when I did, I wasn't disappointed. It evoked for me wonderful images of a country I had never visited, and made me long to see it. The Durrell family are a delight, and the way that Gerald tells the story makes you feel as though you are actually there! I loved it, and still do.My children have read it
and they also love it. It is I think an enduring book, one which will continue to delight readers for many years to come.
and they also love it. It is I think an enduring book, one which will continue to delight readers for many years to come.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The first Gerald Durrell book I ever read,my mum recommended to me, I thought it would be very boring and in reply said no, but for my birthday she got me his fist 2 books written, I decided i should read it and, as I started to read it I couldnt put it down, set in the sunny country of Corfu, it was very funny, exciting and showed a real inside to that happy go lucky boy Gerald Durrell, full of laughs which he, his 2 brothers, his mother, his sister and of course his dog called Roger.
EVERYONE WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is absolutely, brilliantly funny. The wit and unique characterizations are woven with great descriptions of the animals and plants of Corfu. That Durrell can hold the attention of readers who have no interest in biology simply demonstrates what a fine work this is. Gerald's depiction of a larger-than-life expatriate family on a larger-than-life Greek island is a tremendous celebration of life. The variety of different Greek characters parading through this book rivals the variety of Corfu's flora and fauna. Absolute great read!
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By J. Charlesworth
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
I hadn't read this for a while, and I'd forgotten how simply perfect it is. I was introduced to Durrell by my parents reading this aloud to me as a small child.
As a keen naturalist I loved the descriptions of the animals and his sheer enthusiasm for all kinds of life. I think my parents blame Gerald Durrell for all the animals I brought home after being inspired by his work. The descriptions are stunning and the family anecdotes endlessly amusing.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By A
Format:Hardcover
This book was my main motivation to learn to read: my mother used to read it to us... or to be correct, she made vain attempts that ended in roaring laughter. I simply had to know what was so funny. Truth be told she is a mother of four just like Mrs Durrell was, and now I can back up her opinion that whatever is written in this book about familiy life is no exaggeration.
Although I found the description of animal life interesting as well, that could never surpass the scenes about relatives and friends; and people in general. If you have a big family and/or lot of friends and haven't yet read this book, do so now! It makes life so much more fun. :)
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By georgie
Format:Paperback
I read My Family And Other Animals whilst on holiday in Corfu and I couldn't have picked a better book to take with me. The story features a somewhat eccentric English family who move to Corfu because they're fed up with living in England. It tells of their experiences mainly from the eyes of the youngest family member, Gerry (Gerald Durrell).
I found this book absolutely charming and very easy to read. The siblings are unforgettable; bossy Larry with his love of literature, Leslie and his guns, Margo with her acne and of course Gerry with his animal collection.
There's a strong sense of freedom in the Durrell's new home and this makes for amusing reading throughout, especially when coupled with Mother's English reserve.
I found this book absolutely charming and very easy to read. The siblings are unforgettable; bossy Larry with his love of literature, Leslie and his guns, Margo with her acne and of course Gerry with his animal collection.
There's a strong sense of freedom in the Durrell's new home and this makes for amusing reading throughout, especially when coupled with Mother's English reserve.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
A book I first read as a child, and still continue to read. I love it. Inspired me to become a veterinarian.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The stories within each chapter are filled with animals, the wonderful eccentricities of Durrel's family and the other residents of Corfu. The island and the authors childhood sound wonderful and I would recommend this book to anyone seeking something light-hearted, interesting and amusing.
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4.7 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny and entertaining
Took it away on holiday to Corfu (where it is set). An easy ready with a lot of laughs. Like the descriptions of the fauna and creatures of the island together with a really... Read more
Published 17 hours ago by Mr. S. T. Byrne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memories of Jersey
Ordered after a visit to the Durrell Wildlife park on jersey.
Half the price of the same copy in the gift shop - mean I know.
Half the price of the same copy in the gift shop - mean I know.
Published 4 days ago by John Holden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely, relaxing read with beautiful setting
What a lovely novel! Easy reading but beautifully written with a romantic, eloquent narrative which I found truly charming. Read more
Published 12 days ago by Mrs L
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely read.
Lovely, funny and most enjoyable read I've had for a while. Took me back to my childhood, very nostalgic. I would recommend this book to others.
Published 26 days ago by moley
5.0 out of 5 stars
my family and other animals
loved this book in my youth and enjoyed reading it again. Gerald Durrells gentle humour and clear love of animal life is refreshing after all these years
Published 1 month ago by l m slough
5.0 out of 5 stars
Laugh out loud!
If you want a book that will make you laugh out loud then this is a must read. I read this round a pool on holiday and I cried with laughter.
Published 1 month ago by Zoe
5.0 out of 5 stars
really enjoyable
because i've been to Corfu several times and absolutely loved it, i really enjoyed these stories. he is a great writer and i could imagine myself back there again. Read more
Published 1 month ago by dragon53
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nostalgia
Three books stand out from my school days, decades ago - this is one of them. Bought all three for my 12 year old daughter, in the expectation that a girl brought up on a diet of... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Penny Doctor
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
I really enjoyed this it is about Gerald moving to curfu and finding various animals and meeting lots of people.this book was hilarious.
Published 2 months ago by Slick
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quite charming
A nice escape although winced sometimes when he took birds from their mothers nest and caged them etc. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Katherine Ellis
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