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A review by matt_and_cheez
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
4.0
I found this randomly in one of those little library things near my house. It's not a book I would ever pick up in a bookstore, so thought it might be fun to try.
This memoir of a naturalist from England follows the family in their new life on a Greek island. Young Gerry comes across a menagerie of animals during the months spanning the story, as well as a cast of interesting characters, most of whom were his tutors. His family is just as vibrant as the animals he cares for (sometimes to the chagrin of his 3 siblings and mother).
Like when I read other memoirs, I have to drop my knowledge that a chunk of the dialogue was invented, and pieces of the story were probably changed to suit the overall novel. It really works here though, as Gerry keeps us immersed in a whimsical world full of comic moments. Overall a very light-hearted story, which was much different from what I'm used to reading. I may pick up more of his works in the future.
This memoir of a naturalist from England follows the family in their new life on a Greek island. Young Gerry comes across a menagerie of animals during the months spanning the story, as well as a cast of interesting characters, most of whom were his tutors. His family is just as vibrant as the animals he cares for (sometimes to the chagrin of his 3 siblings and mother).
Like when I read other memoirs, I have to drop my knowledge that a chunk of the dialogue was invented, and pieces of the story were probably changed to suit the overall novel. It really works here though, as Gerry keeps us immersed in a whimsical world full of comic moments. Overall a very light-hearted story, which was much different from what I'm used to reading. I may pick up more of his works in the future.