There are a few words one can use to describe this book. Sorry, there exists a whole galore of words that can be used to define the nature of this truly wonderful and magical, what I consider to be, a work of art.
If you’re looking for a winding plot which takes you through the fantasies of a child, don’t read this book. If you’re looking for many heartfelt and warm recounts of a child who understands very little of the world he resides in, welcome to the group of Gerald Durrell lovers!
I was 11 when my mother first handed this book to me. I had a passion for reading but never quite found an interest in subjects related to the study of nature. the book lay by my bedside till, by chance, a week later, I found that I had exhausted my supply of things to read and was sick of Hercule Poirot’s antics. ’’my family and other animals’’; though the title was of an interesting sort, it was probably just about another naturalist who wanted to spread his love of nature to others.
I must gravely admit that I had made a huge mistake in rating this book before I had read it. You must forgive me, for I was but a child. There has, till date, no book written that is as wondrous as this. Beginning right with the stories, which make one laugh till one’s sides ache or cry till tears of agony when one is beyond laughter.
This book does contain parts where the importance of all creatures small and big to Gerry makes it’s way to its pages but these to read, are as interesting and enjoyable as any other segment of this book, which largely tell tales about Gerry’s considerably large family, of which he was the youngest, and Spiro and the other inhabitants of the island.
This book has the power of a time-machine {or one of those machines which transport you into another world - you have to ask a H.G Wells fan on this one} to launch you into the mind of 10-year old Gerry {Gerald} and you encounter his perspectives on the world and on his unforgettable family with his innocence and his spirit. It takes you right to the land of Corfu, whose inhabitants are as queer as they are charming.
This book made me feel like there’s more to life than what we make of it. There’s magic to be found wherever we look, only we have to seek it with our hearts and want it bad enough.