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4.44 AVERAGE
4.44 AVERAGE
I guess the perfect place to read this trilogy is probably in Corfu, but Mykonos made a good runner up. Reading this on a Greek island helped me picture the scenes more easily although at times also had me worried about the amount of scorpians and spiders that could be lurking about. This really is quite a story about an amazing sounding childhood. The characters were just that - characters! His love of animals really comes across but at times I couldn't help but be frustrated that he was pinching babies out of nests - how times have changed since then.
enjoyed but has some offensive moments due to the time period this was written in - i.e the n word is used and there’s also a little section on homosexuality, though while Mrs. Durrell showed her concern i was surprised by how well the rest of them took it !
More racist than I remember (from probably 15 years ago), especially book three. I don't recommend reading all three in a row as it gets a bit repetitive after a while.
See, if Thoreau's naturalistic Journal was a bit more like this, I think more people would have read it.
It's a balanced mix of Gerry's home life on Corfu and his experiences with the flora and fauna of the island.
I think the only fault I can find with Gerry's writing is that it gets a bit purple at times. But still, I'd rather have that than clinical descriptions of the nature he encountered. If there's a fight between a praying mantis and a gecko, Durrell is engaged, and his writing style makes you care as well.
It's a balanced mix of Gerry's home life on Corfu and his experiences with the flora and fauna of the island.
I think the only fault I can find with Gerry's writing is that it gets a bit purple at times. But still, I'd rather have that than clinical descriptions of the nature he encountered. If there's a fight between a praying mantis and a gecko, Durrell is engaged, and his writing style makes you care as well.
Amazing imagery evoking endless summer. Beautiful descriptions of animals and nature. Great observations of people. Everything written with a sparkling sense of humour.
Metaphors often involve wildlife - quite unusual.
Metaphors often involve wildlife - quite unusual.
Reading it again after three decades but still as entertaining.
I guess we only actually read My Family and Other Animals... it was delightful to read aloud and Elliott thought it was wonderful. We had a great time talking about what it must be like in Corfu and was terribly excited upon learning it was a real place we could visit. He was very concerned about the possibility of having to cope without a toilet and go in the ocean, however. :/
Every morning, first priority was to read another chapter. Highly recommended to read with a young one who has a passion for nature.
Every morning, first priority was to read another chapter. Highly recommended to read with a young one who has a passion for nature.
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
How have I never read this till now? What a delight to crouch in an olive grove redolent with natural wonders alongside a young boy & to hear his older self describe it with such poetic fondness.