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My Family and Other Animals cover art

My Family and Other Animals

By: Gerald Durrell
Narrated by: Hugh Bonneville
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Summary

The book is an autobiographical account of five years in the childhood of naturalist Gerald Durrell. The book is divided into three sections, marking the three villas in which the family lived on the island. Apart from Gerald (the youngest) and Larry, the family comprised their widowed mother, the gun-mad Leslie, and diet-obsessed sister Margo together with Roger the dog.

They are fiercely protected by their taxi-driver friend Spiro (Spyros "Americano" Chalikiopoulos) and mentored by the polymath Dr Theodore Stephanides who provides Gerald with his education in natural history. Other human characters, chiefly eccentric, include Gerald's private tutors, the artistic and literary visitors Larry invites to stay, and the local peasants who befriend the family. An audio treat for those young and old.

©1956 Gerald Durrell (P)2010 CSA Word

Critic reviews

"Hugh Bonneville gives a lovely reading… Delicious!" ( Daily Express)

What listeners say about My Family and Other Animals

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Perfect

This has been and always will be my favourite childhood book, wonderful for both children and adults alike. The story of Gerald Durrell's childhood in Corfu it's both touching and funny, with a real sense of wonder about the world and all the animals in it.

I highly recommend this as a perfect way to pass a dreary winters evening.

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4 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A rare ole time!

What made the experience of listening to My Family and Other Animals the most enjoyable?

Gerald Durrell's autobiographical account of his childhood days in Korfu is hilarious and has, in my opinion, stood the tests of time just fine. Hugh Bonneville's reading is very good, he underpins the story without stealing the limelight.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended if you don't crave dystopian modernity.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A joy to listen to!

Listening to the sample of Hugh Bonneville reading this book sealed the sale for me. He reads it with such expression that it was an absolute pleasure to listen to. Gerald Durrell's writing is a wonderful snapshot of his early years in lovely Corfu, a place I'm extremely fond of. His detailed & vivid descriptions of the wildlife, his family, the landscape & the locals are given equal billing. Will definitely buy more in this series.

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3 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Readers’ Digest

Abridged books should be clearly marked.
Readers’ Digest versions of classic books are the scourge of any secondhand book shop so why are they still produced as audiobooks?
So disappointing as this is (parts of) a great book, with excellent narration and high production values.
It only dawned on me that this was the edited highlights when I noticed that certain events were curtailed.
It’s a light read in its complete form, so why cut it?

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Brilliant

This book is based on his life in Corfu and England it is very funny

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Evocative tale

If you could sum up My Family and Other Animals in three words, what would they be?

An entertaining listen.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Larry, an intolerant, selfish young man - but added colour to the story.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The scene with the scorpions in the matchbox.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. easy to listen to a little at a time. A gentle tale.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Entertaining listen

Read the book as a child and loved it, now 40 years later listening to the book was every bit as good as I remember. Totally recommend it. It's amusing, and very well read.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Humorous and undemanding

A gentle and comical reminiscence about the the author's childhood in Corfu with interesting insights into the lives and attitudes of other members of his family including his elder brother Lawrence.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Pompous

A pompous and arrogant work with ghastly entitled characters. Born in India under the raj this family has clearly never known financial hardship. A trip through 1930s corfu might have been interesting but not with these losers.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Love love love

I really loved to read this book and thought I couldn't fall more in love with it till I listened to it. I can practically see myself on that Island experiencing everything and I constantly marvel at how Jerry can make the most ordinary of nature very beautiful.

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