UK Holidays - My Family and Other Animals

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Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)

Average Customer Rating:

Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 508.4955
EAN: 9780142004418
ISBN: 0142004413
Label: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 288
Publication Date: 2004-06-29
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Release Date: 2004-06-29
Studio: Penguin (Non-Classics)

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Editorial Reviews:

When the unconventional Durrell family can no longer endure the damp, gray English climate, they do what any sensible family would do: sell their house and relocate to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu. My Family and Other Animals was intended to embrace the natural history of the island but ended up as a delightful account of Durrell’s family’s experiences, from the many eccentric hangers-on to the ceaseless procession of puppies, toads, scorpions, geckoes, ladybugs, glowworms, octopuses, bats, and butterflies into their home.

Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: A quite eccentric family but lengthy discriptions
Comment: My Family and other Animals was a great book about a truly eccentric family. The characters quirks spiced up the novel but the lengthy descriptions of animals and plants by the author and zoologist, Gerald Durrell, were a little dry. I often found myself tempted to skim through these passages to get back to the plot of the story. It was truly amazing to believe that all these incredibly detailed descriptions could be thought up by a boy at age 12. But it was equally amazing that he experienced all these awesome adventures and was able to remember them and pen his story later on in his adult life and let the reader enjoy his experiences as much as he did.

Customer Rating:

Summary: BUG BOY
Comment: Gerald Durrell had a childhood most children only deam about. He had a crazy family, a shaggy dog, various flying pets, a donkey for his birthday and a most indulging mentor.

Most of all, he had halcyon days on the Greek island of Corfu.

This is the first of many Durrell books that have enchanted generations of young nature lovers. Most have grown older reading his adventures throughout the forests and savannahs

Some have even made pilgrimages to his Jersey zoo to see for themselves the animals he collected.

But most of all, Gerald Durrell brought magic and escape from boarding school solitude and like his brother, Lawrence, created a literary legacy for generations to come.

Sadly, how many will discover his books? And how many of the creatures he wrote about will survive our lifetimes?

Get the book. Get all the books.

At least we can preserve the memories on our bookshelves.

Customer Rating:

Summary: If one could "fall in love" with a book, I did!
Comment: I have never written a book review, and I am hesitant to do so now as whatever I say will certainly be redundant. But I am so enthralled with this little book that I can't contain my enthusiasm.

This is a quick read, but that is not to indicate any superficiality in the story or story telling. The author reveals a world of discovery in his life on Corfu. Far from dull, his time there is filled with small adventures and big lessons. There is nothing the least preachy or even "teachy" in the story line, but the learning for the reader takes place in such a pleasant fashion that you don't realize until the end how much knowledge you have gained.

His eccentric family provides light and very humorous moments, but, for the most part, I found them and the stories about them quite unnecessary.

The author's curiosity about the animals, amphibians, birds and world around him drive the story. His observations of human kind, especially the island people he meets, are equally compelling.

I could not put this book down and, as it was lent to me, I am now on a quest to purchase my own copy.

It only makes me wonder why children in modern day society need the enormous amount of stimulus and involvement to be content. Young Gerald Durrell spent much of his time alone, save the companionship of his "zoo", and was quite happy. No soccer games, no little league baseball, no hang-outs at the mall necessary. Oh, for the simple life.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Gerald Durell is wonderful!
Comment: All of Gerald Durell's writings are terrific, but the ones about his family are truly laugh-out-loud wonderful! This is a book I have enjoyed over and over, and have given as a gift many times.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Quite Excellent
Comment: Ever wonder what kind of person takes such an interest in every form of flora or fauna there is? One who is hyperobservant, apparently. And when Gerald Durrell turns that eye on the eccentric characters in his family and around him on the island of Corfu, you'll absolutely love reading his words.

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