Review: My family and other animals by Gerald Durrell

“My childhood in Corfu shaped my life. If I had the craft of Merlin, I would give every child the gift of my childhood.” ― Gerald Durrell, My Family and Other Animals

The book is dedicated to the animals and animal lovers, giving a situation to imagine to move to a new exotic place, with your slightly unconventional family. Then, add some of the entertaining experiences with some of the most startling animals, a shooting adventure gone bad, lots of parties with unusual guests, animal hunting in the orchards of olives and grapes, swimming in the cool, brilliantly blue, dolphin filled seas, memorable picnics in the most unusual but beautiful places and you have the anecdote of this jewel of a book!

The Plot

The plot of the story is one of the most congenial, rib-tickling escapade comedy story. Penned by Gerald Durrell, “Family and Other Animals”, is the narration of childhood life in the exotic Greek Island of Corfu. The story tells that the Durrell family gets pissed off from severe winters and decides to move to a country with better weather. Just imagine what could be better than a Greek Island with its warm sunshine and gleaming azure waters? So the family impulsively moves to Corfu, a small Island with affable people and even friendlier fauna, giving them to start off with the experience of a lifetime. The book will take you to you through his escapades with turtles and terrapins(Who knew they were different!), water snakes and scorpions(Brrr!), magpies and seagulls, pigeons and dogs, frogs and geckos and so loads more!

The Characters

The book is incorporated with lots of appealing characters. The author has also thrown light on the members of Durrell family. The family of Durrell consists of a gentle, loving yet eccentric mother, a snobbish, self-interested elder brother Larry, who loves his books and wants to make it as an author, the acne – faced Margo, who has her fans, the gun-loving Leslie who loves his game and the nature loving Gerry who could pet almost any animal living in this planet.

The family initially looks like a dysfunctional family at the commencement, slowly transitions into a abnormal but adorable family and the author brings out this conversion marvelously. Other characters like that of Spiro, the chauffeur, Kosti the prisoner, Theodore and Mr. Krafelsky are also portrayed in a flamboyant manner that is detailed to a child’s eye, which is a far-fetched feat by the author and gives us a look into a child’s perception on so many things.

The Writing

The author has very well done his job with good writing style as he wins in transporting you the stunning world of Corfu with his words. The author is known for his natural flair of writing for humor and made me chuckle at the re-tellings of some of the incidents in the book. The incidents like Margo’s dramatic exit from the home only to get stuck in the storm, Larry’s surprise when he opens his matchbox for lighting his cigarette, Larry’s little gunfire adventure, the anger of the seagull, Mrs. Durell in her swimsuit and this all resulting into confusion with Roger will on your mind and leave you smiling even when you recount it. The author also grasps in his insights and well-portray different animals and their lives in between these incidents that will make you wonder why you never look at an animal the way Mr. Durell does. The author wheedles his readers with his melancholy narration of his piognant experiences with his family, his rather unusually named pets(Quasimodo, Puke, and animals in this wonderful book.

The Verdict

As Sunday Times describes it, this book is truly bewitching and will leave you wanting for more for sure. Truly a delightful read. The book is available at lelobooks, an online bookstore in India and can get the book at your doorstep through online book shopping! Hurry now and avail attractive discounts.