Dundee Library & Information Services 

This is a service provided by the
Leisure and Communities Department  

Book Review

My Family and Other Animals
by Gerald Durrell

  We felt it ironic that Durrell's 'scientific' interest in animals as a child including stealing baby birds and eggs, led him to end up being a conservationist!

For - it was a very seductive description of a happy childhood with a perfect mother and lots of freedom. The escapism of being able to uproot and move house so often was appealing and based on comical whims. Characters were funny individuals as were the dogs and other animals. The language was lovely and you could drink in the picturesque description.

Against - Durrell appeared smug, describing friends and family as all so bright, when they come across as silly, irritating people, who seemed to have a bad attitude towards the peasants. On the other hand, another reader was thankful the family intruded into the book and skipped the dull nature descriptions. After 5 years there, the mother was criticised for not learning Greek and it was wondered what she did all day? The animal traps/shootings were not liked. Buying houses abroad has taken away the mystery of such a book today and was felt irrelevant to one members life - reviewed by Central Library - Tuesday Reading Group

  I love this book because it is very funny. I was laughing aloud to myself quite a lot. It must be the third time I have read it over my lifetime and I still find it a delight.

In 1935, the Durrell family (Larry 23, Leslie 19, Margo 18, Gerry 10 and the widowed mother) moved to the Greek Island of Corfu and stayed for five years. Gerald looks back over his time there. We follow the seasons on the island, the flora and fauna, plants and animals wild and domestic in the sea.

When you read this you are right there with time, soaking up the sunshine and observing the animals in the Corfu landscape.

I thoroughly recommend it. Reviewed by Liz Young - reviewed by Broughty Ferry Morning Reading Group

  A wonderful, magical book which will make you laugh til your sides hurt. It's as much a novel about coming of age as it is about animals - reviewed by Alan Brown

  I thought this story is quite funny and always makes me laugh, especially when Larry was irritated by his family members. Also, I can say truthfully, I read this book just because I had to learn it, but I have read it and also found it quite good!!! - reviewed by Crystal

  You will laugh your head off- a fantastic narrative that combines people, nature and wit in huge doses - reviewed by Emma C

  Yes it was good! It was a shame it ended by them going back to England. The stories of Corfu were great! - reviewed by Han

  I did not find this book that funny as other readers have. I did not really like the story that much and at times found it boring. I thought the authors descriptions of the characters of the animals and the areas were very indepth and very good, but overall it is not a book that stands out to me and I probably wouldn't really recommend it to anyone else - reviewed by Melissa

  I think I didn't enjoy the book since I was forced to read it within two days and I like to read slowly but I found he described too many things giving the effect that he was simply rambling on - not one of my best reads - reviewed by Mystery Reviewer

  I have just started reading it and from the start it was brilliant with loads of description - reviewed by Tasha