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| My Family and Other Animals | 
 enlarge | Author: Gerald Durrell
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy New: $5.80
You Save: $8.20 (59%)
Buy New/Used from $4.62
Avg. Customer Rating:  (29 reviews)
Sales Rank: 14304
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0142004413
Dewey Decimal Number: 508.4955
EAN: 9780142004418
ASIN: 0142004413
Publication Date: June 29, 2004
Release Date: June 29, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 BUG BOY November 22, 2008
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.
 If one could "fall in love" with a book, I did! September 26, 2008
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.
Gerald Durell is wonderful! March 21, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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.
Quite Excellent March 1, 2008
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.
Absolutely side-splitting December 26, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book, ironically, was on one of those horrible "summer reading" lists so many of us are forced to do in high school. It's the only one I was ever forced to read that I truly, genuinely loved. I laughed out loud literally every two or three pages, and though I have no natural interest in animals (especially insects), Durell makes his descriptions of the nature on Corfu as gripping and as touching as his descriptions of his family.
It's been ten years since I first read this book, and when I get together with my old friends, we STILL argue about our favorite scenes, the best character, the most troublesome pet. This is a book you won't be able to put down the first time you read it, and will want to re-read the moment you finish it.
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