Comments (19)

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Jan 10, 2024heynmi rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A fun, spirited account of an idyllic childhood spent on the island of Corfu, Greece. Through Durrell's eyes you become well-acquainted with his family, teachers, neighbors, and animals alike. There is no distinction in the way he views…
Jul 26, 2022yum_G rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book is a delightful and charming memoir written by Gerald Dorrell about his childhood on the island of Corfu. As you read, you take in the beautiful settings in the book and understand how captivating the nature around you is. You…
Jan 05, 2022
"delightful"
Oct 04, 2021JCLMELODYK rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I would love to read this book aloud to my children in the evenings but alas they are grown and moved away. It’s so joyful and reminds me of Swiss Family Robinson. Highly recommend this as a read-aloud.
Jul 06, 2021red_pig_413 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
My Family and Other Animals is a memoir written by Gerald Durrell, who writes as his ten-year-old self, who leaves for England and goes on a five-year sojourn to Corfu. He moves there with his gentle and firm Mother, quick tempered brother…
Jul 02, 2021isupreme1 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
As I enjoy the descriptions of wildlife and scenery, I found this a pleasing book. I think it helps the enjoyment to be somewhat familiar with some of the birds and bugs that are referenced. The family, while somewhat amusing do not…
Feb 13, 2021
For kids
Nov 19, 2019LadyLinda1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
...but this was Corfu, and in Corfu anything could happen. This quote from My Family and other animals sums up the hilarious and true stories from this family and the Greek island of Corfu.
Jun 02, 2019ChrisMcMil rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A very humorous tale about an endearingly eccentric family and a young boy's insatiable love of nature and of life. Clearly set in a different time (perhaps best appreciated by those like myself who are just old enough to have experienced…
Oct 30, 2018AA789 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Love this book!
Oct 04, 2017anndubois1 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
A delightful read about young Gerald's adventures in Corfu with his eccentric, life loving family. Well written with characters that leap from the pages and adventure after adventure which leave you laughing and wishing to be part of the…
Aug 16, 2017DorisWaggoner rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Durrell's family moves from a rainy, gloomy, expensive Bristol, England in the 1930s to Corfu, where the climate is sunny, an obese cab driver adopts them and gets the family everything they need, from whatever house they need at the…
Apr 17, 2017
I agree that the books about Gerald Durrell's quirky yet idyllic childhood on the island of Corfu are much funnier and filled with warmth compared to the PBS TV series, which is darker. I've read all of his books based on his time in…
Apr 11, 2017patcarstensen rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Roll-around-on-the-floor funny
Sep 17, 2015Rubicat rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
very entertaining - reminiscent of P. G. Wodehouse. I found it hard to like the eldest brother, but I'm sure that was the intent. All I could think of was how he deserved to be slapped, repeatedly, with notes on how to live in the real…
Aug 03, 2015wyenotgo rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
For anyone who, like me, admires the works of the amazingly talented Durrell family, particularly Gerald and his famous brother Lawrence, this book is not to be missed. Highly amusing, told from the viewpoint of Gerald at the age of ten,…
Dec 18, 2014ownedbydoxies rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly charming story, published in the 1950's, by a British man whose family moved to Greece when he was ten, in the 1930's. Things have certainly changed a lot, however the time he describes is quiet, warm, full of life and joy. He…
Nov 09, 2012sess430 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Durrell is a great storyteller; he can be very funny at times. I enjoyed this fantastic account of his unusual childhood on a Greek island. The BBC production of it pales in comparison.
Jul 18, 2012
Gerald Durrell turns his engaging writing on his family daynamics. Quirky, eccentric, highly enjoyable read set in Corfu and boyhood.