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My Family and Other Animals (Paperback)

by Gerald Durrell (Author) "July had been blown out like a candle by a biting wind that ushered in a leaden August sky ..." (more)
4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
RRP: £6.99
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Product details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Puffin (3 Aug 2006)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0141321873
  • ISBN-13: 978-0141321875
  • Product Dimensions: 18.8 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,249 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Product Description
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...

About the Author
Gerald Durrell (1925-1995) moved from England to Corfu with his family at the age of eight. He spent much of his time studying the island's wildlife, and surprising his family by keeping lots of very unusual pets in very unexpected places. He grew up to be a famous naturalist and conservationalist, leading expeditions to exotic places such as Argentina, Sierra Leone, Assam and Madagascar. Over his lifetime he presented many TV shows, and wrote 37 books, including MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS and its two sequels, BIRDS, BEASTS AND RELATIVES and THE GARDEN OF THE GODS. He founded Jersey Zoo in 1959 as a centre for the conservation of endangered species, and in 1963 he created the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust - later renamed Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust - of which his wife Lee is still Honorary Director. He was awarded the OBE in 1982.
Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
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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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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My Family and Other Animals
80% buy the item featured on this page:
My Family and Other Animals 4.4 out of 5 stars (7)
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The Corfu Trilogy
10% buy
The Corfu Trilogy 4.9 out of 5 stars (9)
£10.49
My Family And Other Animals [DVD] [1987]
4% buy
My Family And Other Animals [DVD] [1987] 4.8 out of 5 stars (8)
£5.98
My Family and Other Animals
4% buy
My Family and Other Animals 5.0 out of 5 stars (6)
£5.99
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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
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2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could give it 6 stars!, 23 April 2007
By David Lundberg "author of OLYMPIC WANDERING: ... (Greensboro, NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
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!
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, 13 Aug 2006
By BB (London, UK) - See all my reviews
This book is a must-read. Hilarious, witty, well-written and with great characters - what more can you ask? It is, as the old cliché goes,"a timeless classic" and will transport you to a world that most of us can only dream about. As Durrell himself said, "If I had the craft of Merlin, I would give every child the gift of my childhood."

If you haven't read this book since your schooldays, I urge you to reread it. If you're looking for a great summer holiday read, this is it. If you have children, introduce them to it as soon as they are old enough.

In short, read this book - you will not regret it!
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A delightful read, 14 Nov 2006
By Sandpiper (London, UK) - See all my reviews
A delightful read, full of entertaining characters and comical situations.

Just before the Second World War, the Durrells move to Corfu to escape the miserable English weather for a few months. Though they planned to stay just the summer, this somehow stretches into five years, which gives them plenty of time to settle in comfortably to the local society. They get to know a great mixture of characters, including the indomitable Spiros, who knows everyone on the island personally and takes them under his wing the moment they arrive, ("Donts worrys Mrs Durrells, I fixes everythings for yous."); their housemaid, Lugaretzia, who gives the family regular updates on her medical ailments, with great relish and content; and Gerald's tutor, Kralefsky, who regularly breaks off from teaching mathematics or French to recount his many (imaginary) tales of his own heroism when saving a mysterious "Lady" from a terrible fate.

Gerald, the youngest of the family at the age of 10, has already developed an interest in animals that will make him famous later in life. He spends most of his time roaming around the island looking for interesting creatures to add to his collection, and tells us the story of some of his acquisitions. Insects and worms and other creepy crawlies wouldn't usually make for an exciting read, but Durrell's imagination gives the animals human traits, and suddenly this whole other world, as seen through his eyes, comes into focus, and it is truly fascinating. The battle played out between a gecko (named "Geronimo") and a mantis ("Cicely") is probably the most gripping that I have read this year. The scene opens thus:

"I was sitting in bed reading one night when, with a great whirring of wings, Cicely flew across the room and landed heavily on the wall, some ten feet away from where Geronimo was busily cleaning up the last bits of an exceptionally furry moth. He paused with bits of moth adhering to his lips, and gazed in astonishment at Cicely. He had, I am sure, never seen such a large mantis before, for Cicely was a good half-inch longer than he was. Amazed by her size and taken aback by her effrontery at sitting in his room, Geronimo could do nothing but stare at her for a few seconds. Meanwhile Cicely turned her head from side to side and looked about with an air of grim interest, like an angular spinster in an art gallery. Recovering from his surprise, Geronimo decided that this impertinent insect would have to be taught a lesson."

The gecko wins, after a fierce and bloody battle, but even he gets his come-uppance when his female companion is swallowed by a toad the following day.

It's an easy read, nicely divided into bite-sized vignettes, making it perfect for your morning train commute, or for winding down at bedtime.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars My Family and Other Animals
The book is funny and talks about a child's exploits through different animals, places and people he has met. This child's name is Gerald Durrell. A good book to read. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mr. RCH VASEY

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for life
The book was read to me when I was a child (I'm now 38). It was passed down to me by my mother, and I have read it so many times that it's held together with sticky tape... Read more
Published 7 months ago by S. Nokes

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC
Funny, insightful, a delightful description of a childhood without rules. A must read for everyone, showing how a great man began life.
Published 10 months ago by J. Southern

3.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Enjoyment
Studied "My Family and Other Animals" for GCE O Level in 1966/7. It was a joy to read then as a teenager and remains so 40 plus years later.
Published on 30 Sep 2006 by Mr. Richard Webster

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