Status
Available
Local notes
PB Dur
Collection
Series
Publication
Penguin Books (2004), Edition: Reprint, 288 pages
Description
Biography & Autobiography. Nature. Travel. Nonfiction. HTML: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 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.… (more)
Subjects
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1956
Physical description
288 p.; 5.1 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Gerald Durrell’s tales of his eccentric family’s time on the Greek island of Corfu is quite simply a wonderful book. In My Family and Other Animals he describes the years that his family lived there with humorous and interesting stories involving the havoc created by mixing these unique people
Gerald was ten when his family went to live on the island and he was immediately captivated by the variety of both flora and fauna to be found. Many creatures, from scorpions to magpies, found their way back to the family’s villa, and much chaos and hilarity ensued. But beyond these stories, he also manages to describe the island’s beauty with descriptive ease, and introduces many varied and unforgettable supporting characters.
Obviously the writing talent was shared in this family, as Gerald’s gifted writing shows remarkable warmth and enthusiasm, and his comedic timing is spot-on. Fresh, fun and engaging, I fell in love with both the book and the family. How could you not feel affection for a family that calls their strangely crafted boat Bootle-Bumtrinket and their two young puppies, Widdle and Puke?
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with the strange creatures that he brought home. His eldest brother, Larry, is none other than author Lawrence Durrell, and he in particular, springs vividly to life on these pages.Gerald was ten when his family went to live on the island and he was immediately captivated by the variety of both flora and fauna to be found. Many creatures, from scorpions to magpies, found their way back to the family’s villa, and much chaos and hilarity ensued. But beyond these stories, he also manages to describe the island’s beauty with descriptive ease, and introduces many varied and unforgettable supporting characters.
Obviously the writing talent was shared in this family, as Gerald’s gifted writing shows remarkable warmth and enthusiasm, and his comedic timing is spot-on. Fresh, fun and engaging, I fell in love with both the book and the family. How could you not feel affection for a family that calls their strangely crafted boat Bootle-Bumtrinket and their two young puppies, Widdle and Puke?
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LibraryThing member deebee1
Gerald Durrell had a childhood many children can only dream of. This wonderful and brilliantly funny book takes us to the island of Corfu where his family moved to in 1935 in order to escape the damp, gray English climate. To the entire family, life in the island was a dream come true, and to
Between his explorations of the natural offerings of Corfu, we are introduced to his wacky family and their misadventures concerning the various animals Gerald kept bringing home to collect and observe. Scorpions in matchboxes, snakes in the bathtub are just a few of what the family had to put up with. An animal's antics or escape invariably leads to a riotous atmosphere, and with Durrell's striking prose, we find ourselves right in the middle of it. Gerald not only discovers nature in the island, but has found friends among the locals, including some memorable characters.
This book is vibrant, full of life and not just literally. It's colourful, heartwarming, enchanting, and laugh-out-loud funny. By a wonderful turn of words, Durrell has turned the habits of our little animal friends into a subject which would otherwise hold no fascination for me. It also evokes a world that was still untouched by the impending clouds of war in Europe, a tiny world apart.
I enjoyed this book very much, and if I had to reread something (which I almost never do), this book would be a strong contender. Which means I can't recommend it highly enough.
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10-year old Gerald, it was the beginning of a lifelong affair with wildlife and nature. To the young intrepid explorer, the small island being a sanctuary of many small and interesting creatures, and with its marvelous array of flora and fauna, was a veritable museum of natural history. Between his explorations of the natural offerings of Corfu, we are introduced to his wacky family and their misadventures concerning the various animals Gerald kept bringing home to collect and observe. Scorpions in matchboxes, snakes in the bathtub are just a few of what the family had to put up with. An animal's antics or escape invariably leads to a riotous atmosphere, and with Durrell's striking prose, we find ourselves right in the middle of it. Gerald not only discovers nature in the island, but has found friends among the locals, including some memorable characters.
This book is vibrant, full of life and not just literally. It's colourful, heartwarming, enchanting, and laugh-out-loud funny. By a wonderful turn of words, Durrell has turned the habits of our little animal friends into a subject which would otherwise hold no fascination for me. It also evokes a world that was still untouched by the impending clouds of war in Europe, a tiny world apart.
I enjoyed this book very much, and if I had to reread something (which I almost never do), this book would be a strong contender. Which means I can't recommend it highly enough.
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LibraryThing member atimco
When the Durrell family decides to move to the Greek island Corfu in defiance of England's damp weather, hilarious adventures in both family life and natural history ensue. My Family and Other Animals, the first of Gerald Durrell's Corfu trilogy, was first published in 1956 and recounts the
In some ways it reminded me of James Herriot's books; both authors love to exaggerate the absurdities of their characters, and the result is quite funny. Both Herriot and Durrell also display a deep love for beauty and the natural world that never clashes with the humorous parts of their work. Yet despite these similarities somehow I find Herriot more congenial than Durrell. Maybe it's because Gerry is one of the unpredictable and unconventional characters, while Herriot is more of an observer of others' eccentricities. Do I feel more comfortable with Herriot as my guide? Probably. But the comparison is a good one, I think. No one does absurdity so delightfully as the Brits.
This is a well-written, funny book and the exotic locale of Corfu is a pleasure to explore in Durrell's intelligent prose. But I couldn't completely warm to the tale, most likely because of the family's attitude toward Mother. Of course everything is exaggerated for the joke of it, but I am not comfortable with how the alternating patronizing and bullying are portrayed as amusingly cute. What we laugh at, we eventually accept.
Nevertheless, I'd be interested in reading more from Durrell, and I'd recommend this to fans of Herriot, Clarence Day, and Frank Gilbreth. Good fun.
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family's life from 1935–39. Gerry was ten years old when the family arrived in Corfu, and the rich, varied fauna of the island stimulated his already-avid love for the natural world. It also provided what his family came to see as frequent near-death experiences (such as the incident with the baby scorpions in the cigar box...).In some ways it reminded me of James Herriot's books; both authors love to exaggerate the absurdities of their characters, and the result is quite funny. Both Herriot and Durrell also display a deep love for beauty and the natural world that never clashes with the humorous parts of their work. Yet despite these similarities somehow I find Herriot more congenial than Durrell. Maybe it's because Gerry is one of the unpredictable and unconventional characters, while Herriot is more of an observer of others' eccentricities. Do I feel more comfortable with Herriot as my guide? Probably. But the comparison is a good one, I think. No one does absurdity so delightfully as the Brits.
This is a well-written, funny book and the exotic locale of Corfu is a pleasure to explore in Durrell's intelligent prose. But I couldn't completely warm to the tale, most likely because of the family's attitude toward Mother. Of course everything is exaggerated for the joke of it, but I am not comfortable with how the alternating patronizing and bullying are portrayed as amusingly cute. What we laugh at, we eventually accept.
Nevertheless, I'd be interested in reading more from Durrell, and I'd recommend this to fans of Herriot, Clarence Day, and Frank Gilbreth. Good fun.
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LibraryThing member whitreidtan
Why on earth are Gerald Durrell's books not better known? Or perhaps they are and I just didn't know much about them? I've never heard another reader mention this as a must read delight and yet that is exactly what it is. The book is based on his family's five years living on Corfu. It's hilarious,
It's 1935 and England is in the midst of a grey and dreary season. How does any good British family escape such? Why by picking up and moving to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu on the recommendation of the eldest son's friend, of course. And what a good British family it is. Mother is a widow, eccentric and a bit flighty in a charming way. Larry, the eldest, is a writer and a bit of a stuffed shirt know-it-all; yes, Larry is famed author Lawrence Durrell. Leslie is a stereotypical gun-mad hunter, frequently striding out of the copses and fields with dinner. Margot is the flirty sister, interested in the local and ex-pat men around. And our author Gerry? Well, he's significantly younger than his siblings (he's only ten at the start while they are all young adults) and he's obsessed with animals, adopting them and wreaking havoc in the house and grounds. He's also a gifted writer with the impeccable timing of a truly funny comic.
Originally intended to be an account of the flora and fauna of Corfu, this is that and so much more. The antics of the Durrells and their good-natured bickering and tolerance of each others' foibles make this literally a laugh out loud book. Imagine Leslie coming downstairs in a towel immediately prior to a huge party, shivering and stammering because young Gerald has put a harmless snake in the tub with cool water to revive it from its heat stroke. There are Larry's elaborate machinations to keep Gerry's wild magpies, raised by him from babyhood, from going into Larry's room and capering about. The different colored birdie footprints in ink all across his manuscript is an image I'll be chuckling about for quite some time. There's the turtle that begs like a dog. A shallow-bottomed, oddly round boat made by Leslie named the Bootle-Bumtrinket. Two dogs named Widdle and Puke. I could go on and on.
But not all of the animal observations come via mishaps in the family. Durrell recounts his delight at finding things in their natural habitat and the care he took in examining them there. His childish curiousity was fervent and infectious. He is completely enchanted by nature in all its forms and that enchantment oozes from the very pages of the book. When the reader isn't laughing, she is reading steadily and delighting in the atmosphere and the place that is Corfu between the wars. Gorgeously written, there is a bit of nostalgia in these pages, especially as the reader knows, from the outset, that at the end, the Durrells pack up their belongings and head back to the grey skies and drizzle of England. I can't recommend this book highly enough, especially for people who like animals but also for those who appreciate well written, pastoral sorts of books or those who cherish eccentric characters and the kind of childhood that seems to be long extinct.
There's even a Masterpiece Theater production of this book. Methinks I'll have to hunt it down and and gather my family and assorted animals around to watch it in hopes it captures the wonder and the delight and the eccentricities of the book. And I will also, very definitely, be tracking down more of Mr. Durrell's books in hopes of sinking into similar, charming entertainments.
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entertaining and even educational.It's 1935 and England is in the midst of a grey and dreary season. How does any good British family escape such? Why by picking up and moving to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu on the recommendation of the eldest son's friend, of course. And what a good British family it is. Mother is a widow, eccentric and a bit flighty in a charming way. Larry, the eldest, is a writer and a bit of a stuffed shirt know-it-all; yes, Larry is famed author Lawrence Durrell. Leslie is a stereotypical gun-mad hunter, frequently striding out of the copses and fields with dinner. Margot is the flirty sister, interested in the local and ex-pat men around. And our author Gerry? Well, he's significantly younger than his siblings (he's only ten at the start while they are all young adults) and he's obsessed with animals, adopting them and wreaking havoc in the house and grounds. He's also a gifted writer with the impeccable timing of a truly funny comic.
Originally intended to be an account of the flora and fauna of Corfu, this is that and so much more. The antics of the Durrells and their good-natured bickering and tolerance of each others' foibles make this literally a laugh out loud book. Imagine Leslie coming downstairs in a towel immediately prior to a huge party, shivering and stammering because young Gerald has put a harmless snake in the tub with cool water to revive it from its heat stroke. There are Larry's elaborate machinations to keep Gerry's wild magpies, raised by him from babyhood, from going into Larry's room and capering about. The different colored birdie footprints in ink all across his manuscript is an image I'll be chuckling about for quite some time. There's the turtle that begs like a dog. A shallow-bottomed, oddly round boat made by Leslie named the Bootle-Bumtrinket. Two dogs named Widdle and Puke. I could go on and on.
But not all of the animal observations come via mishaps in the family. Durrell recounts his delight at finding things in their natural habitat and the care he took in examining them there. His childish curiousity was fervent and infectious. He is completely enchanted by nature in all its forms and that enchantment oozes from the very pages of the book. When the reader isn't laughing, she is reading steadily and delighting in the atmosphere and the place that is Corfu between the wars. Gorgeously written, there is a bit of nostalgia in these pages, especially as the reader knows, from the outset, that at the end, the Durrells pack up their belongings and head back to the grey skies and drizzle of England. I can't recommend this book highly enough, especially for people who like animals but also for those who appreciate well written, pastoral sorts of books or those who cherish eccentric characters and the kind of childhood that seems to be long extinct.
There's even a Masterpiece Theater production of this book. Methinks I'll have to hunt it down and and gather my family and assorted animals around to watch it in hopes it captures the wonder and the delight and the eccentricities of the book. And I will also, very definitely, be tracking down more of Mr. Durrell's books in hopes of sinking into similar, charming entertainments.
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LibraryThing member Bowerbirds-Library
Who or what is the real hero of this brilliant book, which looks back on the childhood of the author during the late 1930s on the Greek Island of Corfu? Is it the eccentric English family (the lovely Mother, the witty Larry, etc)? Is it the colourful locals (Spiro, the Rose Beetle-man, Theodore
It was in order to escape a damp grey winter in 1935 that the Durrell family left England and went to live on the Greek island of Corfu. I might not be able so fortunate to escape the winter of 2011 by similar travel but I can revisit this wonderful sunshine filled book. If you are new to the work of Gerald Durrell start here...
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Stephanides etc)? Is it the menagerie of animals (Roger, Widdle & Puke, the mother Scorpion in the matchbox etc etc etc)? Is it the beautiful island of Corfu (the cool Olive groves, the azure sea etc)? Or is it Gerry the ten year incarnation of the author Gerald Durrell? It has to be said that it is all of them, as it is the marvellous mix that makes this book should a good read, warm, entertaining and often hilarious. Indeed, I have read this book a few times and still laugh out loud at certain sections even though I know what is about to happen!It was in order to escape a damp grey winter in 1935 that the Durrell family left England and went to live on the Greek island of Corfu. I might not be able so fortunate to escape the winter of 2011 by similar travel but I can revisit this wonderful sunshine filled book. If you are new to the work of Gerald Durrell start here...
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LibraryThing member Pepys
Very well written, and delicious to read. Much better than Jerome's Three Men in a Boat which I read two months ago. To me, Durrell's style is the quintessence of good writing. I place him at the same level as Maugham for his ability to describe fluently any situation. (However, I had sometimes
The funniest thing about the Durrell family is Larry's attitude, selfish, arrogant, irritating. Visibly things weren't easy between Gerry and Larry, but it pushes me to have a look one day to Lawrence Durrell's works, at least to see if I can spot in their contents damages made by magpies or seagulls.
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difficulties with the vocabulary when he dealt with queer animals such as, for instance, terrapins...) His description of a battle between a gecko and a mantis over several pages is a real tour de force. I think it could be compared with Levi-Strauss's 20-page description of a sun set under the Tropics.The funniest thing about the Durrell family is Larry's attitude, selfish, arrogant, irritating. Visibly things weren't easy between Gerry and Larry, but it pushes me to have a look one day to Lawrence Durrell's works, at least to see if I can spot in their contents damages made by magpies or seagulls.
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LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
I very rarely laugh out loud when I'm reading; it's not that I don't read funny books, or that I don't find funny books really all that funny, but rather something in the middle of the two. I would say that the humour in Durrell's classic work is more 'charming' than 'hilarious', although there's
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nothing wrong with that either. His family certainly is eccentric, the locals certainly are colourful, and his menagerie certainly is interesting and bizarre. I'm not sure I'll read the sequels though... Show Less
LibraryThing member AliceaP
I absolutely LOVE it when I read a book and immediately want to find everything that author has ever written and binge read the heck out of their work. I saw a commercial for a new ITV program called The Durrells which intrigued me...especially when I learned it was adapted from a book. I threw it
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on my library list and delved in hoping for a fun read and WHOA guys. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell is nothing short of delightful. Full of family antics, animals gone wild, and ALL THE NATURE it was exactly what I needed to read right now. It turns out that he's written loads of other books and this book was actually the beginning of a trilogy of his adventures with his family while they were living on Corfu. (I wish I could have lived with them because they're all distinctly eccentric and hilarious.) Even better, I started watching the series and it's a delight! If you enjoy humorous memoirs and/or learning about the flora and fauna of a place then you won't be disappointed with My Family and Other Animals. Now pardon me while I put the other two books on my wish list... Show Less
LibraryThing member satyridae
1/2010 Review:
I inhabit this book. I walk through the olive groves and swim in the crystal seas of pre-war Corfu. I think I can never go to Greece because of this book. I would want the taxis to be horse-drawn, and the small boys to be ranging freely about the island.
I love so much about this book
This is such a gem.
2/2006 Review:
Perhaps my favorite comfort read. This is the book I turn to when I'm blue and need to laugh. Hilarious chronicle of a budding naturalist and his eccentric family when they are living on the lovely island of Corfu. My favorite part, the part that reminds me most of my own house, my own boy is this:
"Then one day I found a fat female scorpion in the wall wearing what at first glance appeared to be a pale fawn fur coat. Closer inspection proved that this strange garment was made up of a mass of tiny babies clinging to the mother's back. I was enraptured by this family, and I made up my mind to smuggle them into the house and up to my bedroom so that I might keep them and watch them grow up. With infinite care I manoeuvred the mother and family into a matchbox, and then hurried to the villa. It was rather unfortunate that just as I entered the door lunch should be served; however I placed the match box carefully on the mantelpiece in the drawing-room, so that the scorpions should get plenty of air, and made my way to the dining-room and joined the family for the meal. Dawdling over my food, feeding Roger surreptitiously under the table and listening to the family arguing, I completely forgot about my exciting new captures. At last Larry, having finished, fetched the cigarettes from the drawing-room, and lying back in his chair he put one in his mouth and picked up the matchbox he had brought. Oblivious of my impending doom I watched him interestedly as, still talking glibly, he opened the matchbox.
Now I maintain to this day that the female scorpion meant no harm. She was agitated and a trifle annoyed at being shut up in a matchbox for so long, and so she seized the first opportunity to escape. She hoisted herself out of the box with great rapidity, her babies clinging on desperately, and scuttled on to the back of Larry's hand. There, not quite certain what to do next, she paused, her sting curved up at the ready. Larry, feeling the movement of her claws, glanced down to see what it was, and from that moment things got increasingly confused.
He uttered a roar of fright that made Lugaretzia drop a plate and brought Roger out from beneath the table, barking wildly. With a flick of his hand he sent the unfortunate scorpion flying down the table, and she landed midway between Margo and Leslie, scattering babies like confetti as she thumped on the cloth. Thoroughly enraged at this treatment, the creature sped towards Leslie, her sting quivering with emotion. Leslie leapt to his feet, overturning his chair and flicked out desperately with his napkin, sending the scorpion rolling across the cloth towards Margo, who promptly let out a scream that any railway engine would have been proud to produce. Mother, completely bewildered by this sudden and rapid change from peace to chaos, put on her glasses and peered down the table to see what was causing the pandemonium, and at that moment Margo, in a vain attempt to stop the scorpion's advance, hurled a glass of water at it. The shower missed the animal completely, but successfully drenched Mother, who, not being able to stand cold water, promptly lost her breath and sat gasping at the end of the table, unable even to protest. The scorpion had now gone to ground under Leslie's plate, while her babies swarmed wildly all over the table. Roger, mystified by the panic, but determined to do his share, ran around and round the room, barking hysterically.
"It's that bloody boy again ..." bellowed Larry.
"Look out! Look out! They're coming!" screamed Margo.
"All we need is a book," roared Leslie; "don't panic, hit 'em with a book."
"What on earth's the matter with you all?" Mother kept imploring, mopping her glasses.
"It's that bloody boy ... he'll kill the lot of us ... Look at the table ... knee deep in scorpions ..."
"Quick ... quick ... do something ...Look out, look out!"
"Stop screeching and get me a book, for God's sake ... You're worse than the dog ... Shut up, Roger ..."
"By the Grace of God I wasn't bitten ..."
"Look out ... there's another one ... Quick ... quick..."
"Oh, shut up and get me a book or something ... "
"But how did the scorpions get on the table, dear?"
"That bloody boy ... Every matchbox in the house is a deathtrap ..."
"Look out, it's coming towards me ... Quick, quick, do something ..."
"Hit it with your knife ... your knife ... Go on, hit it ..."
Since no one bothered to explain things to him, Roger was under the mistaken impression that the family was being attacked, and that it was his duty to defend them. As Lugaretzia was the only stranger in the room, he came to the logical conclusion that she must be the responsible party, so he bit her on the ankle. This did not help matters very much.
By the time a certain amount of order had been restored, all the baby scorpions had hidden themselves under various plates and bits of cutlery. Eventually, after impassioned pleas on my part, backed up by Mother, Leslie's suggestion that the whole lot be slaughtered was quashed. While the family, still simmering with rage and fright, retired to the drawing-room, I spent half an hour rounding up the babies ..."
MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS © Gerald Durrell 1956
I inhabit this book. I walk through the olive groves and swim in the crystal seas of pre-war Corfu. I think I can never go to Greece because of this book. I would want the taxis to be horse-drawn, and the small boys to be ranging freely about the island.
I love so much about this book
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it's hard to pick and choose. I love that Gerry was so devoted to animals from the very beginning. I love the self-centered, irascible Larry (who grew into the genius Lawrence Durrell). I love Mother, in all her well-meaning but vague glory. And who can forget Theo, the natty naturalist? The people are hilarious, and then just when one is weak from laughing, the viewpoint shifts, and there's a tortoise to observe, a cyclamen to watch bloom or a scorpion to secrete in a matchbox.This is such a gem.
2/2006 Review:
Perhaps my favorite comfort read. This is the book I turn to when I'm blue and need to laugh. Hilarious chronicle of a budding naturalist and his eccentric family when they are living on the lovely island of Corfu. My favorite part, the part that reminds me most of my own house, my own boy is this:
"Then one day I found a fat female scorpion in the wall wearing what at first glance appeared to be a pale fawn fur coat. Closer inspection proved that this strange garment was made up of a mass of tiny babies clinging to the mother's back. I was enraptured by this family, and I made up my mind to smuggle them into the house and up to my bedroom so that I might keep them and watch them grow up. With infinite care I manoeuvred the mother and family into a matchbox, and then hurried to the villa. It was rather unfortunate that just as I entered the door lunch should be served; however I placed the match box carefully on the mantelpiece in the drawing-room, so that the scorpions should get plenty of air, and made my way to the dining-room and joined the family for the meal. Dawdling over my food, feeding Roger surreptitiously under the table and listening to the family arguing, I completely forgot about my exciting new captures. At last Larry, having finished, fetched the cigarettes from the drawing-room, and lying back in his chair he put one in his mouth and picked up the matchbox he had brought. Oblivious of my impending doom I watched him interestedly as, still talking glibly, he opened the matchbox.
Now I maintain to this day that the female scorpion meant no harm. She was agitated and a trifle annoyed at being shut up in a matchbox for so long, and so she seized the first opportunity to escape. She hoisted herself out of the box with great rapidity, her babies clinging on desperately, and scuttled on to the back of Larry's hand. There, not quite certain what to do next, she paused, her sting curved up at the ready. Larry, feeling the movement of her claws, glanced down to see what it was, and from that moment things got increasingly confused.
He uttered a roar of fright that made Lugaretzia drop a plate and brought Roger out from beneath the table, barking wildly. With a flick of his hand he sent the unfortunate scorpion flying down the table, and she landed midway between Margo and Leslie, scattering babies like confetti as she thumped on the cloth. Thoroughly enraged at this treatment, the creature sped towards Leslie, her sting quivering with emotion. Leslie leapt to his feet, overturning his chair and flicked out desperately with his napkin, sending the scorpion rolling across the cloth towards Margo, who promptly let out a scream that any railway engine would have been proud to produce. Mother, completely bewildered by this sudden and rapid change from peace to chaos, put on her glasses and peered down the table to see what was causing the pandemonium, and at that moment Margo, in a vain attempt to stop the scorpion's advance, hurled a glass of water at it. The shower missed the animal completely, but successfully drenched Mother, who, not being able to stand cold water, promptly lost her breath and sat gasping at the end of the table, unable even to protest. The scorpion had now gone to ground under Leslie's plate, while her babies swarmed wildly all over the table. Roger, mystified by the panic, but determined to do his share, ran around and round the room, barking hysterically.
"It's that bloody boy again ..." bellowed Larry.
"Look out! Look out! They're coming!" screamed Margo.
"All we need is a book," roared Leslie; "don't panic, hit 'em with a book."
"What on earth's the matter with you all?" Mother kept imploring, mopping her glasses.
"It's that bloody boy ... he'll kill the lot of us ... Look at the table ... knee deep in scorpions ..."
"Quick ... quick ... do something ...Look out, look out!"
"Stop screeching and get me a book, for God's sake ... You're worse than the dog ... Shut up, Roger ..."
"By the Grace of God I wasn't bitten ..."
"Look out ... there's another one ... Quick ... quick..."
"Oh, shut up and get me a book or something ... "
"But how did the scorpions get on the table, dear?"
"That bloody boy ... Every matchbox in the house is a deathtrap ..."
"Look out, it's coming towards me ... Quick, quick, do something ..."
"Hit it with your knife ... your knife ... Go on, hit it ..."
Since no one bothered to explain things to him, Roger was under the mistaken impression that the family was being attacked, and that it was his duty to defend them. As Lugaretzia was the only stranger in the room, he came to the logical conclusion that she must be the responsible party, so he bit her on the ankle. This did not help matters very much.
By the time a certain amount of order had been restored, all the baby scorpions had hidden themselves under various plates and bits of cutlery. Eventually, after impassioned pleas on my part, backed up by Mother, Leslie's suggestion that the whole lot be slaughtered was quashed. While the family, still simmering with rage and fright, retired to the drawing-room, I spent half an hour rounding up the babies ..."
MY FAMILY AND OTHER ANIMALS © Gerald Durrell 1956
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LibraryThing member oszymandias
My Favourite book growing up. It presents an idyllic view of life growing up as a child in Corfu for the young Gerald Durrell with his collection and observation of animals. However the absolute highlight for me is the activities of his eccentric family which has me in stitches whenever I read it.
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A feel good book that brings summer into your life whenever you pick it up which will be many times after your first read. Show Less
LibraryThing member laytonwoman3rd
This was a marvelous light read, with spots of laugh-out-loud humor. I have had it on my shelf for some time, and it sort of leaped out at me in my search for something that would just plain entertain. This is the story of a British family's extended stay on the island of Corfu in the years just
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before WWII, told from the point of view of the youngest son, a bright 10-year-old with a fascination for all things natural, from birds to bugs, snakes to scorpions, and a knack for introducing them to tea parties and bathtubs without warning. Whacky, over-the-top characterizations of Mother and the sibs, loosely (one hopes) based on Durrell's real family. Show Less
LibraryThing member reading_fox
The most famous of Gerald Durrells writings, being an autobiographical account of his family's 5 years in Corfu when he was aged 10. Originally written in '56 and set in '33 It is still surprisingly relevant. The world was a very different place in those times, but Gerald's insight and clever
Animals of course feature predominately but never manage to get in the way of the human drama. With today's insights and knowlege manay of the practises that Gerald undertook would not be permitable, and indeed I'm sure he himself would not condone the collecting of bird's eggs etc any more. However they do stimulate the interest in the world around you that a more distant approach would fail to do. The people shine, with a children's absent understanding of the complexities of adult behavior, they have a charming simplicity.
LTers would be particularly appreciative of Theodore's study " a room that met with my full approval. It was in my opinion, just what a room should be. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves filled with volumeson freshwater biology, botany, astronomy, midicine, folk-lore, and similar fascinating subjects. Interspersed with these were selections of ghost and crime stories. Thus Sherlock Holmes rubbed shoulders with Darwin..." What a joyous place to be, just liek the rest of the book delightful.
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language describes it perfectly bringing life and humour to the everyday existance. It sounds like the most wonderful place to have spend time as a child with many adventures and none of the concerns that constrain people today. Animals of course feature predominately but never manage to get in the way of the human drama. With today's insights and knowlege manay of the practises that Gerald undertook would not be permitable, and indeed I'm sure he himself would not condone the collecting of bird's eggs etc any more. However they do stimulate the interest in the world around you that a more distant approach would fail to do. The people shine, with a children's absent understanding of the complexities of adult behavior, they have a charming simplicity.
LTers would be particularly appreciative of Theodore's study " a room that met with my full approval. It was in my opinion, just what a room should be. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves filled with volumeson freshwater biology, botany, astronomy, midicine, folk-lore, and similar fascinating subjects. Interspersed with these were selections of ghost and crime stories. Thus Sherlock Holmes rubbed shoulders with Darwin..." What a joyous place to be, just liek the rest of the book delightful.
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LibraryThing member labfs39
Gerald Durrell was 10 years old when his family moved from England to the Greek island of Corfu. A naturalist since he could walk, Gerry lived a life of sheer joy and exploration on Corfu exploring the flora and fauna. In this book, he weaves together hilarious tales of life with his unorthodox
It is important to note, that this is not a strictly accurate accounting of the five years on the island.
In order to compress five years of incident, observation, and pleasant living into something a little less lengthy than the Encyclopœdia Britannica, I have been forced to telescope prune, and graft, so that there is little left of the original continuity of the events. Also I have been forced to leave out many happenings and characters that I would have liked to describe.
Although usually a stickler for accuracy, I found the charm and fun of this book is in its storytelling, and Gerald Durrell is able to tell a great story. In addition, the natural history is so engrossing that I found myself looking up more information on the animals he describes. The combination of humor and scientific curiosity made this a wonderful read aloud with my daughter. A delight.
In addition to becoming a zoologist and environmentalist, Gerald Durrell was also a prolific author and wrote 37 books, ranging from the autobiographical, to technical books on zoo keeping, to children's books. We plan to continue reading the Corfu trilogy with [Birds, Beasts, and Relatives].
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family, including famous older brother Laurence Durrell, and stories of his encounters with creatures great and small, many of whom end up being carried home, to the sometimes endangerment of his family. It is important to note, that this is not a strictly accurate accounting of the five years on the island.
In order to compress five years of incident, observation, and pleasant living into something a little less lengthy than the Encyclopœdia Britannica, I have been forced to telescope prune, and graft, so that there is little left of the original continuity of the events. Also I have been forced to leave out many happenings and characters that I would have liked to describe.
Although usually a stickler for accuracy, I found the charm and fun of this book is in its storytelling, and Gerald Durrell is able to tell a great story. In addition, the natural history is so engrossing that I found myself looking up more information on the animals he describes. The combination of humor and scientific curiosity made this a wonderful read aloud with my daughter. A delight.
In addition to becoming a zoologist and environmentalist, Gerald Durrell was also a prolific author and wrote 37 books, ranging from the autobiographical, to technical books on zoo keeping, to children's books. We plan to continue reading the Corfu trilogy with [Birds, Beasts, and Relatives].
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LibraryThing member Fliss88
Loved this to pieces, it's chock a block full of wonderful eccentrics! The writing is honest in a way only one sibling can be about another. Their life on Corfu just before the outbreak of WW2 is what dreams are made of, and the cast of locals who befriend 'The Family' are just as nuts as all the
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family! The 2005 movie was perfectly cast for my liking with Eugene Simon as Gerald and Imelda Staunton as Mother. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cecrow
I gather this is a classic in Britain and not as well known here in Canada so I'm coming to it a bit late in life, but I enjoyed it no less for that. Gerald Durrell doubtless incorporates a great deal of exaggeration and fabrication, but it's great fun and hilarious throughout. He sends up
Corfu in the 1930s is presented as an innocent time and place, highlighted in scenes like Spiro's casual handling of the customs officer and Gerald's total freedom to explore the countryside at his leisure, striking up friendships with the locals while remaining supervision-free. The story never bogs down, and even with my general disinterest in animals I enjoyed all of his stories about owls, turtles, etc., perhaps because they are all more like pet stories than zoology, even down to the insects and their habits that fascinated him. The island itself is brought just as brilliantly to life and nearly every chapter ends on an idyllic note. Granted it is always so with the best places we remember through childhood-goggles, but with Gerald's telling this locale and period feels like it earned and deserves the praise more than most.
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caricatures of his entire family, all in good fun since his preface suggests they condescended to it. Most fascinating for me was his oldest brother Lawrence, who became a notable author in his own right. I've not read Lawrence yet, but Gerald sets a high bar with his fantastic descriptive passages. This work amply proves his passion was for animals, but his skill in telling it could convince me he had as great a passion for literature. I'm not surprised to learn he also wrote some successful fiction. Corfu in the 1930s is presented as an innocent time and place, highlighted in scenes like Spiro's casual handling of the customs officer and Gerald's total freedom to explore the countryside at his leisure, striking up friendships with the locals while remaining supervision-free. The story never bogs down, and even with my general disinterest in animals I enjoyed all of his stories about owls, turtles, etc., perhaps because they are all more like pet stories than zoology, even down to the insects and their habits that fascinated him. The island itself is brought just as brilliantly to life and nearly every chapter ends on an idyllic note. Granted it is always so with the best places we remember through childhood-goggles, but with Gerald's telling this locale and period feels like it earned and deserves the praise more than most.
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LibraryThing member addunn3
This book, along with the other two in the trilogy, is the basis for the TV serious "The Durrells of Corfu." The book is more focused on the animals and Gerald, but many of the incidents in the TV version are described in the book. An enjoyable read.
LibraryThing member iayork
the funny Durrell: Gerald Durrell was not only a naturalist and a gifted writer about his beloved animals, but a loving brother and son whose descriptions of his family and their foibles will keep you laughing all the way through. This is one of those books which I've reread so many times I've lost
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count, and which I've given to many friends who needed cheering up. Always works, too! Show Less
LibraryThing member eglinton
Descriptive power, adventurousness, enthusiasm, and humour are Durrell’s great strengths, and they give this book the charm and interest that has made it so well loved for decades. The many descriptions of the creatures and plants of Corfu here include ascribing emotions or qualities to them. As
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such, they are often fanciful but at the same time knowledgeable, and so they “animate” the account. Once set, this sense and tone of animation feels appropriate, and so when the young Durrell’s tutor leads us to his imaginative mother and the “talking flowers” she describes (chapter 24), this fits pleasingly in. As in Don Quixote, or Schweijk, a bunch of stories or anecdotes from third parties are thrown in and doubtless embellished. Some land well, others less so. The author presumably can’t resist, whether from doubt that he may ever find another outlet for these exploits or from sheer raconteurial gusto. Among many memorable scenes, the portrait of the picnic, siesta, cooking fire, and moonlit return from the excursion to the Lake of Liliies would make anyone yearn for such an idyllic and wholesome setting. Show Less
LibraryThing member isabelx
Eventually I borrowed a saucepan from the kitchen and put my watersnakes in that. They had, to my delight, recovered completely, and hissed vigorously when I removed them from the bath. On returning to the veranda I was in time to hear Larry holding forth at length to the assembled guests.
'I assure
After reading "My Family and Other Animals", which I studied for English Literature 'O Level, I too went on to read many of Gerald Durrell's books about animal collecting when I was a teenager, borrowing them from the local library whenever I found one on the shelf. Last year, I picked up a copy of "Bafut Beagles" at a BookCrossing meeting and found it just as engaging as I remembered, so I was glad to have an excuse to re-read "My Family and Other Animals" when it was selected fro the Motley Fool Book Club.
I am really enjoying how well the author recreated what it was was like for him to be a child on Corfu, still young enough at ten to pick up the language easily and become more integrated into the life of the island than the rest of his family. He is almost an only child, since his sister and brothers are eight, nine and thirteen years older than him and disappearing into adulthood (apparently Larry was actually married and living in a different house from the rest of the family, but this book, is written as if he was single and living with the rest of the family), but Roger the dog is his friend and constant companion in his exploration of the island and its wildlife.
Roger and I would squat by the hour in the heather, watching the tortoise knights in their ill-fitting armour jousting for the ladies, and the contests never failed to entertain us. Sometimes we would lay bets with each other as to which one was going to win, and by the end of the summer Roger had backed so many losers that he owed me a considerable amount of money. Sometimes, when the battle was very fierce, Roger would get carried away by the spirit of the thing and want to join in, and I would have to restrain him.
I remembered this book really well, probably due to have studied it for English Lit 'O' Level, even though it must be well over twenty years since I last read it. One thing I had forgotten was how Gerry and his tutor George sometimes held outside lessons down by the sea, and that in between sessions they would go swimming and use sea-slugs as water-pistols to squirt each other. I have actually seen a sea-slug, but didn't try that out myself!
'I assure
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you the house is a death-trap. Every conceivable nook and cranny is stuffed with malignant faunae waiting to pounce. How I have escaped being maimed for life is beyond me. A simple, innocuous action like lighting a cigarette is fraught with danger. Even the sanctity of my bedroom is not respected. First, I was attacked by a scorpion, a hideous beast that dripped venom and babies all over the place. Then my room was torn asunder by magpies. Now we have snakes in the bath and huge flocks of albatrosses flapping round the house, making noises like defective plumbing.'After reading "My Family and Other Animals", which I studied for English Literature 'O Level, I too went on to read many of Gerald Durrell's books about animal collecting when I was a teenager, borrowing them from the local library whenever I found one on the shelf. Last year, I picked up a copy of "Bafut Beagles" at a BookCrossing meeting and found it just as engaging as I remembered, so I was glad to have an excuse to re-read "My Family and Other Animals" when it was selected fro the Motley Fool Book Club.
I am really enjoying how well the author recreated what it was was like for him to be a child on Corfu, still young enough at ten to pick up the language easily and become more integrated into the life of the island than the rest of his family. He is almost an only child, since his sister and brothers are eight, nine and thirteen years older than him and disappearing into adulthood (apparently Larry was actually married and living in a different house from the rest of the family, but this book, is written as if he was single and living with the rest of the family), but Roger the dog is his friend and constant companion in his exploration of the island and its wildlife.
Roger and I would squat by the hour in the heather, watching the tortoise knights in their ill-fitting armour jousting for the ladies, and the contests never failed to entertain us. Sometimes we would lay bets with each other as to which one was going to win, and by the end of the summer Roger had backed so many losers that he owed me a considerable amount of money. Sometimes, when the battle was very fierce, Roger would get carried away by the spirit of the thing and want to join in, and I would have to restrain him.
I remembered this book really well, probably due to have studied it for English Lit 'O' Level, even though it must be well over twenty years since I last read it. One thing I had forgotten was how Gerry and his tutor George sometimes held outside lessons down by the sea, and that in between sessions they would go swimming and use sea-slugs as water-pistols to squirt each other. I have actually seen a sea-slug, but didn't try that out myself!
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LibraryThing member debnance
I'd seen this mentioned several times asa favorite book, so I was really happy when redhouse agreed to atrade for it.And, now that I've just finished reading it, I must say that Iabsolutely loved this book. The characters are so distinctlydescribed that I could probably pick them out were I in
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Corfu.Durrell is a master at describing the setting in an amazinglydetailed and fascinating way. Most of all, I loved the conversationsDurrell set down on paper between family members; the conversationsperfectly reflect the personality of each character.Write this title down on your eventual TBR. I cannot imagine whowould not be enchanted by this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaCurcio
This is a "comfort read". Durrell's description of the island and people of Corfu, of his family and of his collection of various animals as "pets" brought smiles and the feeling of reading curled up in a cozy corner even while bouncing along on the bus. It was particularly entertaining to read
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about his oldest brother, Larry, known to the world as the serious author, Lawrence Durrell. Show Less
LibraryThing member phoebesmum
It's been years since I read this – in fact, I read it as a kid, and didn't, at that time, even know who Lawrence Durrell was, so all the references to 'Larry' were lost on me. It's aged quite well. I, apparently, haven't, I had exactly the same reaction as last time – enjoyed the bits about
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his family, skipped over all the boring stuff about bugs. Show Less
LibraryThing member NanceJ
I loved this book! It was really quirky and funny, as the title suggests. I found it in my grandmother's basement and read it this past summer while lounging on my hammock in the shade. It literally made me laugh out loud at times. There were some slow parts but the rest of it made it worth the
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read. Show Less
LibraryThing member TadAD
I think this is the best of Gerald Durrell's books, full of the gentle wit and charm that make him so enjoyable.
LibraryThing member andersonden
A very, very funny book. A series of anectdotes about the author's childhood on a Greek island; the descriptions are quite poetic in some parts of the narrative. The chapter "An Entertainment With Animals" was truly side-splittingly funny and I kept picturing it as some sort of madcap Marx brothers
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adventure. The scorpion story is also not to be missed. The tales seemed to get funnier as I got farther into the book, but maybe I was just getting used to the humor. Show Less
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