When the unconventional Durrell family can no longer endure the damp, gray English climate, they do what any sensible family would do: sell their house and relocate to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu. My Family and Other Animals was intended to embrace the natural history of the island but ended up as a delightful account of Durrell’s family’s experiences, from the many eccentric hangers-on to the ceaseless procession of puppies, toads, scorpions, geckoes, ladybugs, glowworms, octopuses, bats, and butterflies into their home.
My Family and Other Animals The Speech For The Defence
Part One
The Migration
1. The Unsuspected Isle
2. The Strawberry-Pink Villa
3. The Rose-Beetle Man
4. A Bushel Of Learning
5. A Treasure Of Spiders
6. The Sweet Spring
Conversation
Part Two
7. The Daffodil-Yellow Villa
8. The Tortoise Hills
9. The World In A Wall
10. The Pageant Of Fireflies
11. The Enchanted Archipelago
12. The Woodcock Winter
Conversation
Part Three
13. The Snow-White Villa
14. The Talking Flowers
15. The Cyclamen Woods
16. The Lake Of Lilies
17. The Chessboard Fields
18. An Entertainment With Animals
The Return
Anonymous
Posted Wed Jul 27 00:00:00 EDT 2005
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!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Tue Feb 13 00:00:00 EST 2007
This is so wonderful as it tells about Gerald and his family leaving England for Corfu And how he spends his life their learning and growing. This book is truly amozing
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Jul 17 00:00:00 EDT 2006
I absolutely loved this book because it was really funny. Durrell lovingly described each and every animal that he owned. He also told every detail of the settings, so I felt like I was really in Corfu.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2005
Some parts (namely the garden scenes) can be a bit slow, but the eccentric nature and vibrant personalities of the family creates some of the most rib-bruising comedy I've ever read. I first read it when I was eleven, and I still have tears of myrth running down my face each time I read my favorite scenes! Every sentance (yes, even in the slower scenes) is written in a way that creates breathtaking images in your mind. There are very few writers who can stir such beautiful sights in the depths of my imagination. This is highly reccomended to anyone looking for a good laugh (particularly those with loud, loony families!).
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Mar 31 00:00:00 EST 2005
This book has been a family favorite for myself and three children. Perhaps a bit slow going in the beginning for a youngster, a ten to twelve-year-old can read it by themselves and enjoy it as well as a seasoned adult reader. Great for cold days as it evokes the shimmery heat of a Greek summer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Dec 05 00:00:00 EST 2000
this is one of the funniest and most informative books i have ever read...all the characters in it were so alive for me that i was heartbroken when while i was halfway through the book, the newspapers advertised the passing away of the famous lawrence durrell (the author's brother and a main character in the book)...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Aug 29 00:00:00 EDT 2014
This is one of my most favorite books. It is wonderful from every angle....family dynamics, international travel, animals and nature...all written about with great humor. I was given it as a gift long ago and have given it as a gift numerous times since. It is always well received. It is one of those books that can help you thru times of stress or just "to change the subject" for a while.
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Posted Fri Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
IT WAS READ TO ME AS A CHILD WHILE I HAD THE HONG KONG FLU. AS SICK AS I WAS & AS UNCOMFORTABLE LAUGHING WAS I COULDN'T STOP LAUGHING. WHEN I WAS BETTER I FINISHED THE BOOK MYSELF. AND NEARLY FIFTY YEARS LATER I CAN REMEMBER THE KID WITH THE BLEEDING EARS AND A HEAD SWATHED IN COTTON. MOTHER'S FACE WHEN SHE WAS TOLD WHAT SUBSTITUTED FOR A TOLIET. AND THE SAINTS BIRTHDAY. I CAN STILL SMELL HIS ROTTING TOES WITH THE SLAVIA DRIPPING DOWN THE SIDE. IF YOU LOVE PEOPLE FOR THEMSELVES THIS IS YOUR BOOK
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Posted Mon Sep 03 00:00:00 EDT 2012
The description of the plot, such as it is, does not reveal the richness of the writing. You gallop through the adventures and misadventures of this motley family and their menagerie. I was particularly taken by his descriptions of the olive trees in Corfu. I grew up in an olive orchard and have always been struck by the grace and beauty of the trees, especially when tousled by the wind. They are subtle, elegant trees. His perception of the olives was matched by his description of everything else, though I cannot attest to the landscape, as I have never had the pleasure of traveling to Corfu in person. I have, however, very much enjoyed living on the island vicariously through this book.
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Posted Sun Mar 23 00:00:00 EST 2003
I first read this book when turning 12. Despite the fact that I read it in translation and could not relate to all the quirks of the lovely British family, it has completely won my heart over. It still remains one of my favourites - a book to turn too when some humour, love and good writing is needed in life. And some memorable quotes have become additions to our family jargon.
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Posted Sun Dec 16 00:00:00 EST 2001
This book was given to me by my Uncle in 1980 for Christmas and it seemed as though that family could have been ours. (My father was British, mother Scottish, children Canadian, and we had a French poodle.) Coming from an eccentric British family, I can relate only all too well with the humour that this story possesses. I have given this book as a gift to all of my closest friends so that they might have a deeper insight into how our family operates. (Oddly at best) I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to take a vacation but can't get away. Some day I too will go to Corfu.
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Posted Mon Apr 30 00:00:00 EDT 2001
the easy reading for adults and advisory reading for children
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Posted Tue Jul 12 00:00:00 EDT 2011
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Posted Mon Jul 12 00:00:00 EDT 2010
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Posted Thu Sep 03 00:00:00 EDT 2009
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Overview
When the unconventional Durrell family can no longer endure the damp, gray English climate, they do what any sensible family would do: sell their house and relocate to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu. My Family and Other Animals was intended to embrace the natural history of the island but ended up as a delightful account of Durrell’s family’s experiences, from the many eccentric hangers-on to the ceaseless procession of puppies, toads, scorpions, geckoes, ladybugs, glowworms, octopuses, bats, and butterflies into ...