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A review by anneebel
The Overloaded Ark by Gerald Durrell
5.0
I read this book looking for books to fulfil the reading prompt to read around the world. I chose this, because I love an autobiographical book, and animals.
What I wasn’t prepared for though was that it was published in 1953, and was definitely of the era. There was nothing wrong with the story, it was beautiful to read, with such romantic, and elaborate language… however, you must remember that life has changed A LOT since then.
Not only do the books I read now not have the same language, a lot less elaborate, there are things which were normal in the 50’s that we baulk at nowadays.
1. The way in which he talks about “the blacks”.
2. The fact that places where there are “whites” are seen as civilised.
3. The hardest part for me - he is essentially taking animals from their habitat for collections in zoos. This is so far away from our conservationist sensibilities now, that it is almost heartbreaking to read…
4. “He was sentenced to death, and shot” - wow (no spoilers!)
Overall, I really loved the book, really enjoyed the written language, read it in such a short time, as I couldn’t put it down, and would really recommend, BUT you MUST remember that it is of its time, try not criticise it whilst reading it for what was acceptable in the 50’s, and read it as a “historical book”!!
What I wasn’t prepared for though was that it was published in 1953, and was definitely of the era. There was nothing wrong with the story, it was beautiful to read, with such romantic, and elaborate language… however, you must remember that life has changed A LOT since then.
Not only do the books I read now not have the same language, a lot less elaborate, there are things which were normal in the 50’s that we baulk at nowadays.
1. The way in which he talks about “the blacks”.
2. The fact that places where there are “whites” are seen as civilised.
3. The hardest part for me - he is essentially taking animals from their habitat for collections in zoos. This is so far away from our conservationist sensibilities now, that it is almost heartbreaking to read…
4. “He was sentenced to death, and shot” - wow (no spoilers!)
Overall, I really loved the book, really enjoyed the written language, read it in such a short time, as I couldn’t put it down, and would really recommend, BUT you MUST remember that it is of its time, try not criticise it whilst reading it for what was acceptable in the 50’s, and read it as a “historical book”!!