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My Family and Other Animals

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About this listen

 This memoir is soaked in the sunshine of Corfu, where Gerald Durrell lived as a boy, surrounded by his eccentric family - as well as puppies, toads, scorpions, geckoes, ladybugs, glowworms, octopuses, bats, and butterflies.©1956 Gerald Durrell (P)2016 Audible, Inc. Animals Biological Sciences Environmentalists & Naturalists Outdoors & Nature Professionals & Academics Science Funny Feel-Good Heartfelt Witty

Critic reviews

"A lot of frolic, fun, and charming ribaldry, as well as the warm feeling of having been transported to a lovely spot where worry is unknown and anything is believable." ( The New York Times)
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The first of the Corfu trilogy. Arguably the most popular book Durrell has written, later filmed for TV. Full of funny anecdotes about his eccentric family and friends, with a good dose of animals too. Every time I listen to this I long to be in Corfu with all its inhabitants, human and otherwise as well as the beautiful backdrop of the island itself which Durrell so vividly describes. I listen to this audio book regularly and never tire of it. If this is the first Durrell book you listen to then it's a good start and a must for all those, who like me, love Durrell's books.

Animal Anecdotes

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Here's a book that presented itself to me over and over throughout my years yet somehow I never found it the moment to read until now. The narration is superb, the characters funny and warm and its a total escape back to a simpler pre-war idyll. I'm glad I came to it as an audiobook because the characterisation and the measured approach forces one to listen and experience it at the correct pace and to revel in the warm breezes that stir the pages. I have decided to postpone listening to the further books because this one was so complete and satisfying on its own that I don't want to dilute the experience. Most enjoyable like a glass of ouzo on a hot summers day..

I'm glad I waited

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I was looking for a funny book to cheer me up, and this didn't disappoint! So funny and warm, I don't think you'd even need to be an animal lover to appreciate this, the humour is so palpable. I'll definitely be seeking out the other Durrell audiobooks. "Bum-trinket" is my family's new favourite word!

HILARIOUS

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I really enjoyed this affectionate recollection of a childhood full of generous (well mostly), freindly excentrics, beautifully narrated by Nigel Davenport. I felt bereft when it was over :(

an affectionate romp

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Very non-pc. A child runs wild on an idyllic island capturing and often accidentally killing animals. Dogs breed willy nilly, brothers shoot, odd strangers join the family. A fine romp, beautifully written.

A glance into the past

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