Gerald Durrell & 'My Family and Other Animals'
My Family and Other Animals is such a happy book, if you are ever feeling a bit down, this book will cheer you up. Such a joyful, funny, quirky, happy book! Gerald Durrell’s passion for the natural world is infectious, and he writes so vividly – you see his pets, the wonderfully eccentric members of his family, taxi-driver Spiro with his hilarious English, and the blue seas and beautiful island of Corfu.
Gerald Durrell wrote many books, but none has ever enjoyed the popularity of My Family and Other Animals. The first word he ever said was ‘zoo’, so it is not surprising that Gerald Durrell became founder of a famous zoo. He was a naturalist, raconteur, traveller, broadcaster, TV presenter, humourist, conservationist, saviour of endangered species, amateur artist, and a best-selling author.
“All over the world the wildlife that I write about is in grave danger. It is being exterminated by what we call the progress of civilization.” ― Gerald Durrell
Have you seen any of the film versions? Do you know what changes Gerald made from the real story of his family’s time on Corfu? Have you ever visited the Durrell zoo on the island of Jersey? In this Reader’s Guide, you will learn more about this remarkable man (whose first word was evidently ‘zoo’) and his classic tale of an eccentric English family let loose on a Greek island.
I hope this monograph encourages you to read, or reread this fabulous story, and that you enjoy learning a bit more about the man behind the tale, the members of his family, the themes, style, and the various film versions.
Did reading this book make you want to visit Corfu? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. I always love to hear what you think.
One word of warning – once you have read this book, you will be wary of matchboxes.
Links to my recommended reading list, videos, websites and more:
PURCHASE
My Family And Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
Gerald Durrell The Authorised Biography by Douglas Botting
The Durrells of Corfu by Michael Haag
Prospero’s Cell: A Guide to the Landscape and Manners of the Island of Corfu by Lawrence Durrell
Stories from a Corfu Childhood by Gerald Durrell
FREE DOWNLOAD
My Family & Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, Two part BBC Radio Drama.
FIND IN A LIBRARY (You will need to create an account and hold a library card.)
My Family & Other Animals by Gerald Durrell National Library of Australia free public access to books in libraries at Trove.
LINKS
https://www.durrell.org/
A Chance to Meet… Gerald Durrell OBE (1983)
Do you think that Gerald Durrell had the right to take members of his own family and turn them into fiction, while still keeping their original names? Leave a comment to let me know.
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FAST ORDER HERE Get the full-length Literary Reader’s Guide for just $5 by immediate download.
Heather Grant
I remember first reading this book in Washington DC way back in 1969 (and don’t tell me you were not born then!!). I remember laughing out loud at many of the passages throughout the book. I had it on the bookshelves for years but it finally fell to pieces with so much repetitive reading. I must see if I can obtain another copy. It is a delight to read.
Thanks for the Special Offers. I have purchased a few and with the Lockdown in Greater Sydney etc continuing to 30 July I have a couple more weeks of purchasing some more goodies. Thanks Susannah. You are a godsend during this pandemic. I enjoy your Monthly Newsletters and so does my very good friend. Georgie, who lives in Northern California.
Stay safe.
Kind regards,
Heather
Susannah Fullerton
Heather, I can’t tell you how much your support means – not only buying my guides and video talks, but also saying such kind things. It has been hard to keep my career going through all these cancellations and I do so appreciate your enthusiasm and support.
Yes, it is a terribly funny book. My copy is also falling to pieces.
Narelle Horn
Thanks Susannah. I devoured all of Gerald Durrell’s books when I was 14 (a million years ago). You’ve convinced me to re-visit them and see what I more I might get out of them as an adult.
Susannah Fullerton
Do re-read ‘My Family and Other Animals’, and then to learn more about it, you could get my $3 readers guide to it. It is such a fun book!