Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Rupert Hart-Davis (1954), Hardcover, 232 pages
Description
Travel to the wilds of Cameroon with the conservationist whose work inspired Masterpiece production The Durrells in Corfu on public television. In 1949, Gerald Durrell embarks with fellow zoologist Kenneth Smith on an expedition to collect rare animals in the British Cameroons in West Central Africa. There, he meets the Nero-like local ruler, the Fon of Bafut, who likes a man who can hold his liquor--will Durrell be able to get on his good side? In this unique memoir, set off on a journey with the famed British naturalist's group of hunters and his pack of motley hunting dogs as they encounter an array of exotic creatures, including flying mice, booming squirrels, a frog with a mysterious coat of hair, and teacup-size monkeys; and witness the joys and problems of collecting, keeping, and transporting wild animals from Africa to England. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author's estate. … (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member InigoMontoya
Gerald Durrell is all about the animals and the joy of his books is that he somehow manages to avoid the sort of sentimentality that usually makes me run a mile from such works. I can't even stomach Black Beauty but I can lap up the youngest Durrell brother morning, noon and night.
In The Bafut
The people of Bafut have two languages, one of which is Cameroonian Pidgin English and this is the language used for dialogue throughout the book. It's easy enough to follow but there are times is gets a little wearying and one might wish that Durrell had avoided being quite so authentic.
So here's a tale of Brow-leaf Toads, who have the pained and reproachful look down pat, nannied affectionately by Pavlova, the Patas monkey; booming squirrels and flying mice; hyrax and hairy frogs and galagos and skinks and all other manner of beasties. There's much hilarity in the many attempts to capture them and the whole is underpinned by Durrell's casual style. It's not Durrell at his best, but the inclusion of the infectiously joyful Achirimbi makes it an enjoyable read.
In The Bafut
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Beagles, Durrell gives his account of a collecting trip in the Cameroons (in the time when the country was split between French and the British control). The title is taken from the collective name Durrell christened the men and dogs that hunted for him. Unusually for Durrell, the real star of the book isn't one of the many engaging species that he finds, but the colourful Achirimbi II, the Fon (or king) of Bafut. The Fon, an Anglophile in a time of colonialism, welcomes Durrell and his team enthusiastically and helps him throughout the expedition in every way but one. The Fon likes a drink or four and he likes company. Many nights, Durrell was kept up late into the night drinking with his host and one gets a real sense of Durrell's almost permanent hangover. Fortunately for the convivial king, Durrell doesn't seem to mind one bit. The people of Bafut have two languages, one of which is Cameroonian Pidgin English and this is the language used for dialogue throughout the book. It's easy enough to follow but there are times is gets a little wearying and one might wish that Durrell had avoided being quite so authentic.
So here's a tale of Brow-leaf Toads, who have the pained and reproachful look down pat, nannied affectionately by Pavlova, the Patas monkey; booming squirrels and flying mice; hyrax and hairy frogs and galagos and skinks and all other manner of beasties. There's much hilarity in the many attempts to capture them and the whole is underpinned by Durrell's casual style. It's not Durrell at his best, but the inclusion of the infectiously joyful Achirimbi makes it an enjoyable read.
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LibraryThing member reading_fox
The details and concerns of an animal collecting trip into colonial Africa March 1949. There is no background to the trip, I can't remember Gerald's personal history well enough to know if he's collecting for other zoos or trying to build up his own at this point. The book opens with a rattley
Durrell makes various forays into the forests and grasslands with his trusty native hunters - the Bafut Beagles, in search of Hiary frogs, Flying mice and other similarly charming and improbable creatures. The native villagers also bring in various animals that they've caught, Durrell pays them for the creatures and has to build cages, stop them escaping and persuede awkward creatures to eat. Divided into short chapters each features the capture and problems of one or two especially noteworthy creatures. All too soon the "list" is complete and Durrell has to return to base camp and then ship the precious collection back to England. I'm sure this part could fill an entire book on it's own and it's a shame it get's condensed into one chapter.
The chapters also capture the flavour of African life at the time, with pigin english as spoken by the natives. This is faithfully recorded and can be a bit tricky to decipher at times. the Fon is the absolute ruler and centre of attention, fortunetly Durrell quickly gets on his good side, not only by providing copious quantities of gin, but alsoby teaching him and his entourage to dance the Conga. Activites probably frowned upon nowadays but reflecting the nature of the relationship between white man and the natives in that part of the world at that time. It does read as an amazingly condescending attitude at times, although I'm sure that Durrell had nothing but good will towards them - especially after they treated his snakebite.
It is all lightly told, gently sketched anecdotes which capture the scenes wonderfully. Very easy reading but also charming and frequently very funny.
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lorry descending down the Cameroon mountains into Mamfe and shortly after, on the recommendation of the District Office, into Bafut, where the local tribe chieftain the Fon, holds sway. Durrell makes various forays into the forests and grasslands with his trusty native hunters - the Bafut Beagles, in search of Hiary frogs, Flying mice and other similarly charming and improbable creatures. The native villagers also bring in various animals that they've caught, Durrell pays them for the creatures and has to build cages, stop them escaping and persuede awkward creatures to eat. Divided into short chapters each features the capture and problems of one or two especially noteworthy creatures. All too soon the "list" is complete and Durrell has to return to base camp and then ship the precious collection back to England. I'm sure this part could fill an entire book on it's own and it's a shame it get's condensed into one chapter.
The chapters also capture the flavour of African life at the time, with pigin english as spoken by the natives. This is faithfully recorded and can be a bit tricky to decipher at times. the Fon is the absolute ruler and centre of attention, fortunetly Durrell quickly gets on his good side, not only by providing copious quantities of gin, but alsoby teaching him and his entourage to dance the Conga. Activites probably frowned upon nowadays but reflecting the nature of the relationship between white man and the natives in that part of the world at that time. It does read as an amazingly condescending attitude at times, although I'm sure that Durrell had nothing but good will towards them - especially after they treated his snakebite.
It is all lightly told, gently sketched anecdotes which capture the scenes wonderfully. Very easy reading but also charming and frequently very funny.
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LibraryThing member Lucylocket
This is an old favourite. It is no longer politically correct but it is very funny. It is about an zooilogical expedition to the Cameroons in the 5os.
LibraryThing member isabelx
First published in 1949, this is an account of Durrell's animal collecting expedition in the mountains of the British Cameroons.
I studied "My Family and Other Animals" for my English Lit 'O' Level, and went on to borrow several of his other books from the library. So it's possible that I read this
I studied "My Family and Other Animals" for my English Lit 'O' Level, and went on to borrow several of his other books from the library. So it's possible that I read this
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book when I was a teenager, but all the collecting expeditions have blurred into one in my memory, so I don't really remember whether I did or not. The way he talks about the animals is wonderful, as you get a good feel for their behaviour and calls as well as what they look like. Even the toads have personality! He also writes about his talks with the Fon of Bafut (the regional ruler) and local life and customs, and the book is illustrated with line drawings of animals, some of which are very amusing. I also love his descriptions of walking through the mountains around dawn through the early morning mist and the play of light and weather over the mountains. Show Less
LibraryThing member iayork
Wonderful Durrell: I loved this and only wish I could also get it in print. Though things have no doubt changed in Africa, there are no doubt still funny stories and people there as on any other continent, and I'm glad Mr. Durrell chronicled these.
LibraryThing member comixminx
Beautifully described, great characterisation (I love the Fon of Bafut!), very interesting too. Lovely stuff.
LibraryThing member Beholderess
Hilarious, warm and educational.
LibraryThing member cbl_tn
This book is an account of naturalist/zookeeper Gerald Durrell’s trip to Cameroon to collect animal specimens. An official suggests that Bafut would be a good place to collect specimens, so Durrell contacts the Fon of Bafut, who proves to be an eager host. Durrell employs several local hunters
Durrell and the Africans converse in pidgin English, and the dialogue in the book uses pidgin. The book reflects the colonial era in which it was lived and written. 21st century readers will cringe when Durrell is addressed as Masa by his African colleagues. I can’t wholeheartedly recommend the book for this reason.
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who become known as the Bafut Beagles. Durrell and the Beagles hunt for several species on Durrell’s wishlist. Many of the locals also bring wildlife to sell to Durrell. By the end of his stay, he has dozens of specimens to transport back to England, including monkeys, large cats, rodents, and frogs, and snakes.Durrell and the Africans converse in pidgin English, and the dialogue in the book uses pidgin. The book reflects the colonial era in which it was lived and written. 21st century readers will cringe when Durrell is addressed as Masa by his African colleagues. I can’t wholeheartedly recommend the book for this reason.
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LibraryThing member cathyskye
The Bafut Beagles, like other installments of Durrell's endeavors in animal conservation, is filled with wonderful anecdotes of the animals he captures and his experiences with the local people. His sense of humor when describing some of the mishaps he has with the people and animals is
Even though I did have trouble with those two things I mentioned, I still enjoyed the book-- especially since I'd just returned from a trip to a local zoo where I'd seen three or four species of animals that the author talked about in the book. I look forward to reading more of Durrell's work in animal conservation.
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laugh-out-loud funny, and his sense of wonder at the awe-inspiring scenery is extremely evocative. Unfortunately, I did not find this book to be quite as enjoyable as others of his that I have read, and my reaction boils down to two things: a heavy hand with pidgin English, which made my head hurt whenever I had to translate large sections, and the slight note of condescension I detected whenever Durrell spoke about the locals, although he did occasionally praise them.Even though I did have trouble with those two things I mentioned, I still enjoyed the book-- especially since I'd just returned from a trip to a local zoo where I'd seen three or four species of animals that the author talked about in the book. I look forward to reading more of Durrell's work in animal conservation.
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Language
Original publication date
1954
DDC/MDS
| 590 Durrell |