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Corfu Trilogy #3
Градината на боговете
„Градината на боговете“ е третата книга на Даръл за времето, когато пребивава заедно със семейството си на остров Корфу преди Втората световна война. Първите две от трилогията – „Моето семейство и други животни“ и „Птици, зверове и роднини“ – жънат такъв успех в световен мащаб, че той без притеснение продължава сагата на своето семейство на острова и го превръща в едно от най-любимите семейства на света. Ето какво казва авторът: „Опитах се да опиша близките си такива, каквито ги виждах тогава. Смятам обаче, че някои странности в поведението им ще станат по-обясними, ако изтъкна, че по време на престоя ни в Корфу всички бяха много млади: Лари, най-големият, беше на двайсет и три години, Лесли беше на деветнайсет, Марго — на осемнайсет, а аз, най-малкият, бях на крехката и впечатлителна десетгодишна възраст. Никога не сме знаели със сигурност възрастта на мама — по простата причина, че тя не може да си спомни кога е родена, затова само ще се огранича да кажа, че беше достатъчно възрастна, за да е родила четири деца. За да успея да предам сбито петте години, изпълнени със случки, наблюдения и приятни преживявания, в нещо, което да не излезе обемисто като „Енциклопедия Британика“, бях принуден да сгъстявам, окастрям и присаждам, поради което не остана много от естествения ход на събитията.“ А ние, признателните читатели, ще добавим, че все пак е останало достатъчно, за да четем и препрочитаме сагата „Даръл“ и разбираме защо признателните жители на Корфу са издигнали паметник на автора в центъра на неговия любим остров.
280 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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7188 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Durrell
229 books1,719 followersGerald "Gerry" Malcolm Durrell was born in India in 1925. His elder siblings are Lawrence Durrell, Leslie Durrell, and Margaret Durrell. His family settled on Corfu when Gerald was a boy and he spent his time studying its wildlife. He relates these experiences in the trilogy beginning with My Family And Other Animals, and continuing with Birds, Beasts, And Relatives and The Garden Of The Gods. In his books he writes with wry humour and great perception about both the humans and the animals he meets.
On leaving Corfu he returned to England to work on the staff of Whipsnade Park as a student keeper. His adventures there are told with characteristic energy in Beasts In My Belfry. A few years later, Gerald began organising his own animal-collecting expeditions. The first, to the Cameroons, was followed by expeditions to Paraguay, Argentina and Sierra Leone. He recounts these experiences in a number of books, including The Drunken Forest. Gerald also visited many countries while shooting various television series, including An Amateur Naturalist. In 1958 Gerald Durrell realised a lifelong dream when he set up the Jersey Zoological Park, followed a few years later by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.
Gerald was married twice; Jacquie Durrell (1951-1979), Lee Durrell (1979-1995).
Gerald Durrell's style is exuberant, passionate and acutely observed. He died in 1995.
On leaving Corfu he returned to England to work on the staff of Whipsnade Park as a student keeper. His adventures there are told with characteristic energy in Beasts In My Belfry. A few years later, Gerald began organising his own animal-collecting expeditions. The first, to the Cameroons, was followed by expeditions to Paraguay, Argentina and Sierra Leone. He recounts these experiences in a number of books, including The Drunken Forest. Gerald also visited many countries while shooting various television series, including An Amateur Naturalist. In 1958 Gerald Durrell realised a lifelong dream when he set up the Jersey Zoological Park, followed a few years later by the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust.
Gerald was married twice; Jacquie Durrell (1951-1979), Lee Durrell (1979-1995).
Gerald Durrell's style is exuberant, passionate and acutely observed. He died in 1995.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 525 reviews
July 5, 2024
Five "A-tear-in-my-eye-because-it’s-over" stars!
Gerald Durrell, where have you been all of my life? I’ve laughed my way through three books with you, dear Gerry. ‘Watching’ you be a nuisance to some and a pleasure to others. You’ve held my rapt attention while driving your family to the brink of madness with your accumulation of birds, bugs and furry little creatures. Now here I am at the end of our journey. But WHAT a ride!
It’s bittersweet to write this review for the final installment in your Corfu trilogy. Along the way, I’ve become a part of the Durrell family, and they welcome everyone if you can take the heat! I choose as an example Lumy Lover and Harry Honey, friends of Larry who came to stay for a while. These two were the butt of several hilarious practical jokes served up by the family - not Mother, of course, but I did see her giggle when no one was looking.
Then there were the parties that somehow never went to plan. One such gathering resulted in a near-death experience and a knicker-showing incident. Oh my! The humor everyone involved maintained when confronted with these crazy situations was admirable, as well as a life lesson. Take things in stride and enjoy the trip!
I’ve learned more about insects, flora, fauna and the native animals of Corfu than I could have ever imagined. What a beautiful gift I’ve been given to be able to explore this magnificent Greek island alongside Gerry, Roger and of course, Widdle and Puke; my childlike curiosity awakened, and my heart filled with joy.
I am compelled to travel to Corfu after reading this series. How could I not? Charm and delight fill these pages. The writing is splendidly picturesque, the characters enchanting. Please read this trilogy if you haven’t. It is spectacular!
"Spring, in its season, came like a fever; it was as though the island shifted and turned uneasily in the warm, wet bed of winter and then, suddenly and vibrantly, was fully awake, stirring with life under a sky as blue as a hyacinth bud into which a sun would rise, wrapped in mist as fragile and as delicately yellow as a newly completed silkworm cocoon."
"The corporal fumbled with his holster and then, at the crucial moment, drew his forty-five and fired five rounds approximately two yards away from the King’s right ear. It immediately became obvious that the fort had not thought to tell the Welcoming Committee about its signal and so the Committee, to say the least, was taken aback, as was the King and, indeed, as were we all.
'My God, they’ve amputated him,' screamed Margo, who always lost both her head and her command over English in moments of crisis."
"It had been one of those prodigious, desiccating, earth-cracking summers that was so hot it even bleached the sky to a pale end-of-summer, forget-me-not colour and flattened the sea so that it lay like a great blue pool, unmoving, warm as fresh milk."
Gerald Durrell, where have you been all of my life? I’ve laughed my way through three books with you, dear Gerry. ‘Watching’ you be a nuisance to some and a pleasure to others. You’ve held my rapt attention while driving your family to the brink of madness with your accumulation of birds, bugs and furry little creatures. Now here I am at the end of our journey. But WHAT a ride!
It’s bittersweet to write this review for the final installment in your Corfu trilogy. Along the way, I’ve become a part of the Durrell family, and they welcome everyone if you can take the heat! I choose as an example Lumy Lover and Harry Honey, friends of Larry who came to stay for a while. These two were the butt of several hilarious practical jokes served up by the family - not Mother, of course, but I did see her giggle when no one was looking.
Then there were the parties that somehow never went to plan. One such gathering resulted in a near-death experience and a knicker-showing incident. Oh my! The humor everyone involved maintained when confronted with these crazy situations was admirable, as well as a life lesson. Take things in stride and enjoy the trip!
I’ve learned more about insects, flora, fauna and the native animals of Corfu than I could have ever imagined. What a beautiful gift I’ve been given to be able to explore this magnificent Greek island alongside Gerry, Roger and of course, Widdle and Puke; my childlike curiosity awakened, and my heart filled with joy.
I am compelled to travel to Corfu after reading this series. How could I not? Charm and delight fill these pages. The writing is splendidly picturesque, the characters enchanting. Please read this trilogy if you haven’t. It is spectacular!
"Spring, in its season, came like a fever; it was as though the island shifted and turned uneasily in the warm, wet bed of winter and then, suddenly and vibrantly, was fully awake, stirring with life under a sky as blue as a hyacinth bud into which a sun would rise, wrapped in mist as fragile and as delicately yellow as a newly completed silkworm cocoon."
"The corporal fumbled with his holster and then, at the crucial moment, drew his forty-five and fired five rounds approximately two yards away from the King’s right ear. It immediately became obvious that the fort had not thought to tell the Welcoming Committee about its signal and so the Committee, to say the least, was taken aback, as was the King and, indeed, as were we all.
'My God, they’ve amputated him,' screamed Margo, who always lost both her head and her command over English in moments of crisis."
"It had been one of those prodigious, desiccating, earth-cracking summers that was so hot it even bleached the sky to a pale end-of-summer, forget-me-not colour and flattened the sea so that it lay like a great blue pool, unmoving, warm as fresh milk."
December 1, 2020
This is the balm to my stressors - Durrell’s last book in the trilogy of his family’s halcyon, pre-WWII days in Corfu, Greece. His tranquil landscapes, the telling of their idiosyncratic acquaintances (from gypsies to Royalty), the food and the cultural scenes.....this gives me some quiet distraction.
My Greek grandfather did not lead such a privileged life before immigrating to the U.S., but I hope some of his days were as idyllic as young Gerald’s.
My Greek grandfather did not lead such a privileged life before immigrating to the U.S., but I hope some of his days were as idyllic as young Gerald’s.
August 21, 2020
How lovely to spend a virtual holiday in Corfu! Last year, I read with great enjoyment books 1 and 2 of the Corfu Trilogy, which documented the sojourn of the Durrell family who quit England on a whim to live on the Island of Corfu. It was a wondrous reunion of sorts for me both with the charming island and the exuberant Durrell family.
Gerry Durrell was just a child when his rambunctious family migrated to Corfu. His amazing nature expeditions on this Greek Island under the tutelage of a master scientist and polymath laid the foundations of his future success as a British naturalist and conservationist. He founded the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Jersey Zoo on the Channel Island of Jersey in 1959.
Once again, I followed Gerry and his dogs on their nature ramble and was introduced to an eye-opening array of insects and rare birds. By now, Gerry’s menagerie has grown alarmingly huge, not to mention the enormous food bill to provide sustenance for all the creatures he carted home, to the consternation of his long-suffering family.
One had to admire Gerry’s love of animals. He created an avian clinic where he nursed birds that were maimed by hunters. He wrote about his animals with much affection. Here’s a description of Quilp, his pigeon, when it got on Gerry’s boat. ‘He would pace up and down, pausing to do a quick waltz occasionally and, with pouting chest, would give a contralto concert, looking strangely like a large opera singer on a sea voyage. Only if the weather became inclement would he get nervous and would then fly down and nestle in the captain’s lap for solace.’
It was a joy to be re-acquainted with the Corfu islanders who were generous to a fault. I love this description Gerry shared: ‘In Corfu one must always gossip for the right length of time and perhaps accept a crust of bread, some dry watermelon seeds, or a bunch of grapes as a sign of love and affection.’
Charming, too, was the friendship the Durrell family had with the Corfu folks as well as the many guests (some streaming in from the far East) who came to lap up their hospitality. A story about ‘the merriment of friendship’ is most uplifting.
Durrell wrote a vivid prose style and one must read with all the senses. Can you picture this? ‘Watermelons, their flesh as crisp and cool as pink snow, were formidable botanical cannonballs, each one big enough to obliterate a city;...’ Gerry’s writing overflowed with juicy goodness and was delectable like a mellow wine.
At a time when travel is restricted and sad news abound in every corner of the globe on account of the coronavirus pandemic, it is a treat to spend halcyon days on Corfu Island in which ‘every day was a special day, specially coloured, specially arranged’. The Garden of the Gods is a timely balm guaranteed to bring laughter and carefree moments in the sun.
Gerry Durrell was just a child when his rambunctious family migrated to Corfu. His amazing nature expeditions on this Greek Island under the tutelage of a master scientist and polymath laid the foundations of his future success as a British naturalist and conservationist. He founded the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Jersey Zoo on the Channel Island of Jersey in 1959.
Once again, I followed Gerry and his dogs on their nature ramble and was introduced to an eye-opening array of insects and rare birds. By now, Gerry’s menagerie has grown alarmingly huge, not to mention the enormous food bill to provide sustenance for all the creatures he carted home, to the consternation of his long-suffering family.
One had to admire Gerry’s love of animals. He created an avian clinic where he nursed birds that were maimed by hunters. He wrote about his animals with much affection. Here’s a description of Quilp, his pigeon, when it got on Gerry’s boat. ‘He would pace up and down, pausing to do a quick waltz occasionally and, with pouting chest, would give a contralto concert, looking strangely like a large opera singer on a sea voyage. Only if the weather became inclement would he get nervous and would then fly down and nestle in the captain’s lap for solace.’
It was a joy to be re-acquainted with the Corfu islanders who were generous to a fault. I love this description Gerry shared: ‘In Corfu one must always gossip for the right length of time and perhaps accept a crust of bread, some dry watermelon seeds, or a bunch of grapes as a sign of love and affection.’
Charming, too, was the friendship the Durrell family had with the Corfu folks as well as the many guests (some streaming in from the far East) who came to lap up their hospitality. A story about ‘the merriment of friendship’ is most uplifting.
Durrell wrote a vivid prose style and one must read with all the senses. Can you picture this? ‘Watermelons, their flesh as crisp and cool as pink snow, were formidable botanical cannonballs, each one big enough to obliterate a city;...’ Gerry’s writing overflowed with juicy goodness and was delectable like a mellow wine.
At a time when travel is restricted and sad news abound in every corner of the globe on account of the coronavirus pandemic, it is a treat to spend halcyon days on Corfu Island in which ‘every day was a special day, specially coloured, specially arranged’. The Garden of the Gods is a timely balm guaranteed to bring laughter and carefree moments in the sun.
February 7, 2017
This is the third and the last of Gerald Durrell's Corfu Trilogy. I think it is best to read them in order. For this reason I am not going to explain the whole story here, because this is not where you should start. When you pick up this book you will already know who everyone is. When you pick up the second and the third book it is like meeting old friends. All the books are both funny and lovely, a spot of sun in the darkness. Are you looking for something light, something to make you laugh? If so, I can whole-heatedly recommend any of them. I was on the way to giving this four stars, but the party that ends the book felt too slapstick.
The audiobook narration by Christopher Timothy is absolutely wonderful. Listen to this; do not read the paper book. I honestly think the narration improves the funny lines. Each person has a different intonation that fits like a glove. Each and every one is perfectly performed.
Do you need a little cheering up? Is the winter gloom getting you down? Go to the delightful island of Corfu and visit the Durrell family. I am sure you will be welcomed. Read the whole series. No, no listen to it.
The audiobook narration by Christopher Timothy is absolutely wonderful. Listen to this; do not read the paper book. I honestly think the narration improves the funny lines. Each person has a different intonation that fits like a glove. Each and every one is perfectly performed.
Do you need a little cheering up? Is the winter gloom getting you down? Go to the delightful island of Corfu and visit the Durrell family. I am sure you will be welcomed. Read the whole series. No, no listen to it.
August 19, 2021
The Garden of the Gods
(Corfu Trilogy #3)
by Gerald Durrell
This is the final book in the trilogy of the Durrell saga. War is coming and more stories are focused on the family than the animals. I don't find the family interesting at all. Of course the author makes them better than they probably really are so, if that is the case, I know I wouldn't find them likeably!
(Corfu Trilogy #3)
by Gerald Durrell
This is the final book in the trilogy of the Durrell saga. War is coming and more stories are focused on the family than the animals. I don't find the family interesting at all. Of course the author makes them better than they probably really are so, if that is the case, I know I wouldn't find them likeably!
December 8, 2024
Bitti üçleme. Bedenen İstanbul'da, zihnen ve ruhen tamamen Korfu'dayım, bir müddet de dönemem gibi. Üçüncü kitapta da ilk iki kitapta anlatmadığı türlü olayları anlatıyor Gerald Durrell ve yine, yine, yine olağanüstü komik - kahkahalar ata ata okudum.
Sahiden inanılmaz bir aile bu, iyi ki üçüncü kitabı da yazmış çünkü en eğlenceli olayların bazıları bu kitaptaydı, iki misafirlerini görünmez flamingo avına çıkartıp tutuklatmaları ve bu dev şakayı neredeyse tüm ada halkıyla kolektif şekilde sahnelemeleri, Kral'ın adayı ziyaret edeceği gün yaşanan bir dizi akılalmaz absürtlük, hayvanları koruma derneği kurmaya gelen bir kadını ağırlamaya geldikleri gün abi Leslie'nin evde baktıkları baykuş yavrularını doyurmak için serçe avlamaya karar vermesi ve kadının tepesine ölü serçe yağdırması, kabakulak kapan Kont misafirleri, pek tabii ki Gerry'nin eve doldurduğu bilumum yeni hayvanın yarattığı türlü krizler. Yani Durrell ailesi bildiğimiz gibi.
Bu arada bildiğimiz gibi demişken, internette türlü yazılar okudum, DURRELLLARIN KARANLIK SIRRI filan gibi böyle magazin içerikli yazılar, yok efendim anne Louisa aslında alkolikmiş de, kitaplara bu yokmuş da şuymuş buymuş. Bilmiyorum. Okuduklarımı ikna edici bulmadım, sanırım ikna olmak da istemedim. Hikaye bize bu biçimde anlatıldıysa, bu biçimiyle kalbime kabul etmek isterim, ettim de. Benim için Durrell ailesi bu neşeli, çılgın, tasasız, absürt aile olacak her zaman.
Bu arada kitabın bir yerinde anne Lawrence Durrell'ı uyarıyor "bunları anlatma misafirlere, tuhaf insanlar olduğumuzu sanacaklar" diye, Larry de dümdüz "e öyleyiz zaten anne" diyor, o kadar güldüm ki - öyleler sahiden. Ve muhtemelen öyle oldukları için Garry hayalperest ve tutkulu bir doğabilimci ve Larry de olduğu o muhteşem yazar olabilmiş zaten. İyi ki her şey bu şekilde vuku bulmuş.
Sevgili Korfu, sana muhakkak yolumu düşürüp sayfalar boyunca okuduğum kıyılarında yüzecek, zeytinliklerinin gölgesinde soluklanacak, dar sokaklarında kaybolacağım. Bu da sözüm olsun, tanışmamız artık şart çünkü.
Teşekkürler Durrellar, hayatımda nasıl bir yeriniz var bilemezsiniz.
Sahiden inanılmaz bir aile bu, iyi ki üçüncü kitabı da yazmış çünkü en eğlenceli olayların bazıları bu kitaptaydı, iki misafirlerini görünmez flamingo avına çıkartıp tutuklatmaları ve bu dev şakayı neredeyse tüm ada halkıyla kolektif şekilde sahnelemeleri, Kral'ın adayı ziyaret edeceği gün yaşanan bir dizi akılalmaz absürtlük, hayvanları koruma derneği kurmaya gelen bir kadını ağırlamaya geldikleri gün abi Leslie'nin evde baktıkları baykuş yavrularını doyurmak için serçe avlamaya karar vermesi ve kadının tepesine ölü serçe yağdırması, kabakulak kapan Kont misafirleri, pek tabii ki Gerry'nin eve doldurduğu bilumum yeni hayvanın yarattığı türlü krizler. Yani Durrell ailesi bildiğimiz gibi.
Bu arada bildiğimiz gibi demişken, internette türlü yazılar okudum, DURRELLLARIN KARANLIK SIRRI filan gibi böyle magazin içerikli yazılar, yok efendim anne Louisa aslında alkolikmiş de, kitaplara bu yokmuş da şuymuş buymuş. Bilmiyorum. Okuduklarımı ikna edici bulmadım, sanırım ikna olmak da istemedim. Hikaye bize bu biçimde anlatıldıysa, bu biçimiyle kalbime kabul etmek isterim, ettim de. Benim için Durrell ailesi bu neşeli, çılgın, tasasız, absürt aile olacak her zaman.
Bu arada kitabın bir yerinde anne Lawrence Durrell'ı uyarıyor "bunları anlatma misafirlere, tuhaf insanlar olduğumuzu sanacaklar" diye, Larry de dümdüz "e öyleyiz zaten anne" diyor, o kadar güldüm ki - öyleler sahiden. Ve muhtemelen öyle oldukları için Garry hayalperest ve tutkulu bir doğabilimci ve Larry de olduğu o muhteşem yazar olabilmiş zaten. İyi ki her şey bu şekilde vuku bulmuş.
Sevgili Korfu, sana muhakkak yolumu düşürüp sayfalar boyunca okuduğum kıyılarında yüzecek, zeytinliklerinin gölgesinde soluklanacak, dar sokaklarında kaybolacağım. Bu da sözüm olsun, tanışmamız artık şart çünkü.
Teşekkürler Durrellar, hayatımda nasıl bir yeriniz var bilemezsiniz.
February 24, 2022
A caring mother...
I told Mother I was going to spend the day exploring the coast and could I have a picnic?
‘Yes, dear,’ she said absently. ‘Tell Lugaretzia to organize something for you. But do be careful, dear, and don’t go into very deep water. Don’t catch a chill and… watch out for sharks.’
To Mother, every sea, no matter how shallow or benign, was an evil and tumultuous body of water, full of tidal waves, water spouts, typhoons, and whirlpools, inhabited entirely by giant octopus and squids and savage, sabre-toothed sharks, all of whom had the killing and eating of one or other of her progeny as their main objective in life.
In this, the third part of "The Corfu Trilogy" another collection of the strange people who gather around the Durrell family.
The Count...
He was tall and slender, with tightly curled hair as golden as a silkworm cocoon, shining with oil, a delicately curled mustache of a similar hue, and slightly protuberant eyes of a pale and unpleasant green. He alarmed Mother by arriving with a huge wardrobe trunk and she was convinced that he had come to stay for the summer. But we soon found that the Count found himself so attractive he felt it necessary to change his clothes about eight times a day to do justice to himself. His clothes were such elegant confections, beautifully hand-stitched and of such exquisite materials, that Margo was torn between envy at his wardrobe and disgust at his effeminacy.
Gerry needed lots of dead sparrows to feed his baby owls.
He has the help of older brother Leslie who shot many sparrows off the roof...
Meanwhile Mrs Durrell was entertaining a lady animal lover with afternoon tea on the other side of the house...
‘Damn,’ he said suddenly. ‘I’ve lost count. How many’s that?’
I said that I hadn’t been counting either.
‘Well, go and pick up the ones on the veranda and wait there. I’ll pick off another six. That should do you.’
Clasping my paper bag, I went around to the front of the house, and saw, to my consternation, that Mrs Vadrudakis, whom we had forgotten, had arrived for tea. She and Mother were sitting somewhat stiffly on the veranda clasping cups of tea, surrounded by the bloodstained corpses of numerous sparrows.
‘Yes,’ Mother was saying, obviously hoping that Mrs Vadrudakis had not noticed the rain of dead birds, ‘yes, we’re all great animal lovers.’
‘I hear this,’ said Mrs Vadrudakis, smiling benevolently. ‘I hear you lof the animals like me.’
‘Oh yes,’ said Mother. ‘We keep so many pets. Animals are a sort of passion with us, you know.’
She smiled nervously at Mrs Vadrudakis, and at that moment a dead sparrow fell into the strawberry jam.
It was impossible to cover it up and equally impossible to pretend it was not there. Mother stared at it as though hypnotized; at last, she moistened her lips and smiled at Mrs Vadrudakis, who was sitting with her cup poised, a look of horror on her face.
‘A sparrow,’ Mother pointed out weakly. ‘They… er… seem to be dying a lot this year.’
At that moment, Leslie, carrying the air rifle, strode out of the house.‘Have I killed enough?’ he inquired.
Many times young Gerry meet Spiro, the taxi driver, on his way home. Gerry would stand on the running board as Spiro inquired after his family's health...
One day, in a fit of devilry, I told him, in response to his earnest inquiry, that they were all dead; the car swerved off the drive and crashed straight into a large oleander bush, showering Spiro and myself with pink blossoms and nearly knocking me off the running board.
‘Gollys, Master Gerrys! You mustn’t say things like thats!’ he roared, pounding the wheel with his fist.
‘You makes me scarce when you say things likes that. You makes me sweats! Don’t you ever say that agains.’
Reminiscing about India...
‘My husband being a civil engineer, of course, he had to travel. I always used to go with him. If he had to build a bridge or a railway right out in the jungle, I’d go with him and we’d camp.’
‘That must have been fun,’ said Leslie enthusiastically, ‘a primitive life under canvas.’
‘Oh it was. I loved the simple life in camp. I remember the elephants used to go ahead with the marquees, the carpets and the furniture, and then the servants would follow in the ox-carts with the linen and silver…’
‘You call that camping?’ interrupted Leslie incredulously. ‘With marquees?’
‘We only had three,’ said Mother defensively. ‘A bedroom, dining-room and a drawing-room. And they were built with fitted carpets anyway.’
‘Camping!’ snorted Leslie derisively.
‘Well, it was camping dear. I remember once one of the elephants went astray and we had no clean sheets for three days. Your father was most annoyed.’
After the revolution...
When, I inquired, had they got rid of Metaxas? Nobody had told me.
‘Why, you remember, surely!’ cried Kralefsky. ‘You must remember – when we had the revolution and that cake shop was so badly damaged by the machine-gun bullets. Such unsafe things, I always think, machine-guns.’
To welcome a visit from the Greek King the boy scouts let off an explosion - of dynamite...
‘I was very interested in the reaction of the spectators,’ said Theodore, with scientific relish. ‘You know… er… the ones who were blown down.’
‘I should think they were damned annoyed,’ said Leslie.
‘No,’ went on Theodore proudly, ‘this is Corfu. They all… you know… helped each other up, brushed each other down, and remarked on how good the whole thing was… er… how realistic. It didn’t seem to occur to them that there was anything strange in Boy Scouts having dynamite.’
‘Well, if you live long enough in Corfu, you cease to be surprised at anything,’ said Mother with conviction.
Margo's sayings...
‘My God, they’ve amputated him,’ screamed Margo, who always lost both her head and her command over English in moments of crisis.
They have a sort of ordure about them.’
You’re namby-pamby,’ snorted Margo. ‘Take you for a little walk and you’re screaming for food and wine. You just want to live in the hub of luxury all the time.’
‘Serves him jolly well right,’ said Margo callously. ‘He shouldn’t have said I was boring. It’s an eye for an ear.’
‘And you might as well be hung for anox as anass,’ contributed Margo.
Enjoy!
I told Mother I was going to spend the day exploring the coast and could I have a picnic?
‘Yes, dear,’ she said absently. ‘Tell Lugaretzia to organize something for you. But do be careful, dear, and don’t go into very deep water. Don’t catch a chill and… watch out for sharks.’
To Mother, every sea, no matter how shallow or benign, was an evil and tumultuous body of water, full of tidal waves, water spouts, typhoons, and whirlpools, inhabited entirely by giant octopus and squids and savage, sabre-toothed sharks, all of whom had the killing and eating of one or other of her progeny as their main objective in life.
In this, the third part of "The Corfu Trilogy" another collection of the strange people who gather around the Durrell family.
The Count...
He was tall and slender, with tightly curled hair as golden as a silkworm cocoon, shining with oil, a delicately curled mustache of a similar hue, and slightly protuberant eyes of a pale and unpleasant green. He alarmed Mother by arriving with a huge wardrobe trunk and she was convinced that he had come to stay for the summer. But we soon found that the Count found himself so attractive he felt it necessary to change his clothes about eight times a day to do justice to himself. His clothes were such elegant confections, beautifully hand-stitched and of such exquisite materials, that Margo was torn between envy at his wardrobe and disgust at his effeminacy.
Gerry needed lots of dead sparrows to feed his baby owls.
He has the help of older brother Leslie who shot many sparrows off the roof...
Meanwhile Mrs Durrell was entertaining a lady animal lover with afternoon tea on the other side of the house...
‘Damn,’ he said suddenly. ‘I’ve lost count. How many’s that?’
I said that I hadn’t been counting either.
‘Well, go and pick up the ones on the veranda and wait there. I’ll pick off another six. That should do you.’
Clasping my paper bag, I went around to the front of the house, and saw, to my consternation, that Mrs Vadrudakis, whom we had forgotten, had arrived for tea. She and Mother were sitting somewhat stiffly on the veranda clasping cups of tea, surrounded by the bloodstained corpses of numerous sparrows.
‘Yes,’ Mother was saying, obviously hoping that Mrs Vadrudakis had not noticed the rain of dead birds, ‘yes, we’re all great animal lovers.’
‘I hear this,’ said Mrs Vadrudakis, smiling benevolently. ‘I hear you lof the animals like me.’
‘Oh yes,’ said Mother. ‘We keep so many pets. Animals are a sort of passion with us, you know.’
She smiled nervously at Mrs Vadrudakis, and at that moment a dead sparrow fell into the strawberry jam.
It was impossible to cover it up and equally impossible to pretend it was not there. Mother stared at it as though hypnotized; at last, she moistened her lips and smiled at Mrs Vadrudakis, who was sitting with her cup poised, a look of horror on her face.
‘A sparrow,’ Mother pointed out weakly. ‘They… er… seem to be dying a lot this year.’
At that moment, Leslie, carrying the air rifle, strode out of the house.‘Have I killed enough?’ he inquired.
Many times young Gerry meet Spiro, the taxi driver, on his way home. Gerry would stand on the running board as Spiro inquired after his family's health...
One day, in a fit of devilry, I told him, in response to his earnest inquiry, that they were all dead; the car swerved off the drive and crashed straight into a large oleander bush, showering Spiro and myself with pink blossoms and nearly knocking me off the running board.
‘Gollys, Master Gerrys! You mustn’t say things like thats!’ he roared, pounding the wheel with his fist.
‘You makes me scarce when you say things likes that. You makes me sweats! Don’t you ever say that agains.’
Reminiscing about India...
‘My husband being a civil engineer, of course, he had to travel. I always used to go with him. If he had to build a bridge or a railway right out in the jungle, I’d go with him and we’d camp.’
‘That must have been fun,’ said Leslie enthusiastically, ‘a primitive life under canvas.’
‘Oh it was. I loved the simple life in camp. I remember the elephants used to go ahead with the marquees, the carpets and the furniture, and then the servants would follow in the ox-carts with the linen and silver…’
‘You call that camping?’ interrupted Leslie incredulously. ‘With marquees?’
‘We only had three,’ said Mother defensively. ‘A bedroom, dining-room and a drawing-room. And they were built with fitted carpets anyway.’
‘Camping!’ snorted Leslie derisively.
‘Well, it was camping dear. I remember once one of the elephants went astray and we had no clean sheets for three days. Your father was most annoyed.’
After the revolution...
When, I inquired, had they got rid of Metaxas? Nobody had told me.
‘Why, you remember, surely!’ cried Kralefsky. ‘You must remember – when we had the revolution and that cake shop was so badly damaged by the machine-gun bullets. Such unsafe things, I always think, machine-guns.’
To welcome a visit from the Greek King the boy scouts let off an explosion - of dynamite...
‘I was very interested in the reaction of the spectators,’ said Theodore, with scientific relish. ‘You know… er… the ones who were blown down.’
‘I should think they were damned annoyed,’ said Leslie.
‘No,’ went on Theodore proudly, ‘this is Corfu. They all… you know… helped each other up, brushed each other down, and remarked on how good the whole thing was… er… how realistic. It didn’t seem to occur to them that there was anything strange in Boy Scouts having dynamite.’
‘Well, if you live long enough in Corfu, you cease to be surprised at anything,’ said Mother with conviction.
Margo's sayings...
‘My God, they’ve amputated him,’ screamed Margo, who always lost both her head and her command over English in moments of crisis.
They have a sort of ordure about them.’
You’re namby-pamby,’ snorted Margo. ‘Take you for a little walk and you’re screaming for food and wine. You just want to live in the hub of luxury all the time.’
‘Serves him jolly well right,’ said Margo callously. ‘He shouldn’t have said I was boring. It’s an eye for an ear.’
‘And you might as well be hung for anox as anass,’ contributed Margo.
Enjoy!
November 16, 2021
This is the last novel/memoir in Gerald Durrell's trilogy:
1. My Family and Other Animals . My review
2. Birds, Beasts and Relatives .
3. The Garden of the Gods .
I did not want it to end. I ventured off to Youtube to find more on the Durrell family. A few hours worth my time. The thing is, I so enjoyed this experience that I cannot find the words to honor this remarkable author. So this time I won't elaborate, apart from adding these wry anonymous quotes:
"A specialist is somebody who knows more and more about less and less, until he knows everything about nothing. A generalist is somebody who knows less and less about more and more, until he knows nothing about everything. "
~oOo~
Well to be perfectly honest, in my humble opinion, of course without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point of view, but also by looking into this matter in a different perspective and without being condemning of one's views and by trying to make it objectified, and by considering each and everyone's valid opinion, I honestly believe that I completely forgot what I wanted to say.
~oOo~
"Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist,
While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water, I drank it.
Sincerely, The Opportunist.
Congratulations Opportunist, the water had fluoride in it. Sincerely, The Conspiracy Theorist."
I know, right? Gerald Durrell is a much better read, we just have to get over ourselves from time to time and find golden authors like Mr. Durrell. One of a kind.
1. My Family and Other Animals . My review
2. Birds, Beasts and Relatives .
3. The Garden of the Gods .
I did not want it to end. I ventured off to Youtube to find more on the Durrell family. A few hours worth my time. The thing is, I so enjoyed this experience that I cannot find the words to honor this remarkable author. So this time I won't elaborate, apart from adding these wry anonymous quotes:
"A specialist is somebody who knows more and more about less and less, until he knows everything about nothing. A generalist is somebody who knows less and less about more and more, until he knows nothing about everything. "
~oOo~
Well to be perfectly honest, in my humble opinion, of course without offending anyone who thinks differently from my point of view, but also by looking into this matter in a different perspective and without being condemning of one's views and by trying to make it objectified, and by considering each and everyone's valid opinion, I honestly believe that I completely forgot what I wanted to say.
~oOo~
"Dear Optimist, Pessimist, and Realist,
While you guys were busy arguing about the glass of water, I drank it.
Sincerely, The Opportunist.
Congratulations Opportunist, the water had fluoride in it. Sincerely, The Conspiracy Theorist."
I know, right? Gerald Durrell is a much better read, we just have to get over ourselves from time to time and find golden authors like Mr. Durrell. One of a kind.
February 9, 2018
Book 3 is more of the same: hilarious and wonderful stories about the Durrell's live in Greece. I think this one was even funnier than the last two. If there were more of these I'd read them! Most of the funny bits have to do with Gerry and his animals doing crazy things - for instance:
But as with the other two books, I continue to just love the picture that the book paints of what live in rustic Corfu was like:
"The lamb seemed disappointed that no one was taking any notice of him; he had gambolled a little, decorated the floor, and done two nicely executed pirouettes, but he felt that no one was paying him the attention he deserved, so he put down his head and charged Mother."
But as with the other two books, I continue to just love the picture that the book paints of what live in rustic Corfu was like:
"Spiro drove us home through the cool, velvety night. The scops owls called ‘toink toink’ to each other, chiming like strange bells among the trees; the white dust billowed behind the car and remained suspended like a summer’s cloud in the still air; the dark cathedral groves of the olives were pricked out with the pulsing green lights of fireflies."
January 4, 2008
What can I say? The end of the trilogy was one of my worst days in reading ever. Once being let in the magical and almost surreal world of Durrel's Corfu adventures, you can't seem to let go for long. I know these books by heart, but I still re-read them at least once a year. Not to count all the times when I only search through my favorite places, but end up reading straight through. Durrel's world is like an improved Eden before being chased away - so light, so innocent, so sunny and yet so real, full of good-natured laughter and knowledge that seeps through your mind almost effortlessly. It's the ultimate point for geeky romantics - a wonderful place to get lost.
April 18, 2012
Last of the Corfu trilogy. I remember the day when I found it in the bookshop for the first time. I hugged it like a long lost friend, instantly carried it home. Read it the same day smiling and laughing all the time. I just finished it again, I read it whenever feeling blue, we have the most frightfully cold and wet weather at the moment. It was a perfect remedy. Full of sunshine and innocence of childhood, mixed with quite astute albeit slightly unkind comments about older siblings (which as the youngest in the family I can relate to)
August 7, 2024
valla açıkçası üçüncü kitap üçlemenin en zayıfıydı. aynı dönemde ailenin başından geçen başka başka olaylar. en çok son bölümdeki partide çok güldüm çünkü kaptan creech ve edepsizlikleri gerçekten çok eğlenceliydi.
ama şunu da söyleyebilirim ilk kitap aslında olan biten için, doğayı sevmek için, bu çatlak aileyi tanımak için yeterli. ikinci kitabın hadi bir bağlamı vardı, aile ilk kitaba itiraz ediyor-muş gibi yapılmıştı ve kitap ikinci dünya savaşında dağılan aile bireylerinin farklı ülkelerden telgraflarıyla bitmişti. o da güzeldi. bu üçüncü kitapta gerald durrell anlatamadıklarını anlatmak istemiş herhalde ki elbette yine hayvanı, böceği, ziyarete gelen kralı, olanı biteniyle çok hoş yazılmış ama dediğim gibi ilk kitabı okuyup da devam etmeyenler çok bir şey kaybetmiş sayılmaz.
ama şunu da söyleyebilirim ilk kitap aslında olan biten için, doğayı sevmek için, bu çatlak aileyi tanımak için yeterli. ikinci kitabın hadi bir bağlamı vardı, aile ilk kitaba itiraz ediyor-muş gibi yapılmıştı ve kitap ikinci dünya savaşında dağılan aile bireylerinin farklı ülkelerden telgraflarıyla bitmişti. o da güzeldi. bu üçüncü kitapta gerald durrell anlatamadıklarını anlatmak istemiş herhalde ki elbette yine hayvanı, böceği, ziyarete gelen kralı, olanı biteniyle çok hoş yazılmış ama dediğim gibi ilk kitabı okuyup da devam etmeyenler çok bir şey kaybetmiş sayılmaz.
August 23, 2025
This third and last book in Durrell's trilogy of his family's sojourn on the Greek island of Corfu in the 1930s was just as pleasurable as the first two books,
My Family and Other Animals
and Birds, Beasts, and Relatives. This one continues with Gerry's passion for collecting the various fauna species on the island as his menagerie grows and grows much to the chagrin of his mother and siblings especially his brother Larry. Some of the additions included a colorful spider called a Eresus niger; and two unusual birds, a bittern and a hoopoe who Gerry takes home to mend its broken wing after being shot by a hunter.
The book also relates some very humorous anecdotes including some not so funny practical jokes the family played on some visitors of Larry's called Lumy Lover and Harry Honey. Then there was the island's welcome to the King of Greece which didn't seem to go as planned, and a birthday party for an Indian friend named Jeejee where Larry's friend Captain Creech continued to sing a bawdy sailor's song that could have gone on for over 100 verses. But after a near-death moment from a Houdini trick gone bad, the Captain manages to dance a waltz with one of the female guests resulting in a torn away dress much to his delight.
Overall, a very enjoyable and satisfying ending to the Durrell's in Corfu.
The book also relates some very humorous anecdotes including some not so funny practical jokes the family played on some visitors of Larry's called Lumy Lover and Harry Honey. Then there was the island's welcome to the King of Greece which didn't seem to go as planned, and a birthday party for an Indian friend named Jeejee where Larry's friend Captain Creech continued to sing a bawdy sailor's song that could have gone on for over 100 verses. But after a near-death moment from a Houdini trick gone bad, the Captain manages to dance a waltz with one of the female guests resulting in a torn away dress much to his delight.
Overall, a very enjoyable and satisfying ending to the Durrell's in Corfu.
September 22, 2022
This was another evocative, enchanting, and engrossing novel by Gerald Durrell. In this book, however, life on the island of Corfu for the Durrells must come to an end due to WW2. This immediately left me feeling so sad that their adventures in Greece had to end due to such a devastating reason. Knowing that this was the final book in the series also cast a shadow for me from the onset — the inevitable having to say goodbye to this family was so heartbreaking.
Aside from that, Gerald Durrell, once again, shares a wonderful melange of events with us: nature expeditions, comical family moments, clever exchanges, mishaps, and the party to end all parties. All the characters that we met in the first two books were there lending their wisdom and entertaining us with their whimsical personalities. Some scenes were so delightful and full of mirth that I felt like crying from joy from the realisation that life can simply entail enjoying what is in front of us — nature. That is what this whole series does. It evokes beautiful childhood memories: walking barefoot on hot summer days, floating in a stream — just being. That childhood innocence and intrigue was once again, unlocked in this book. The world was reintroduced, once again, through the eyes of this highly intelligent, mature, curious, and charming boy who is brimming with positivity for what the world has to offer. That’s what this whole trilogy also does: it reintroduces us to the things we were introduced to as children and we look at it all through these untainted, innocent, thirsty eyes.
The dialogue was also brimming with clever wit. The exchanges with the older sibling Lawrence and the rest of the family are so hilarious. Lawrence’s sarcasm was at times laced with an extra serving of acrimony, that it’s a wonder how this family could sit through a meal together. Yet, the warmth and solidarity of the family and their friends, prevails.
The mother of the family, Louisa, is always endearing, wise, and a quiet rebel. It was so entertaining to see how much of the obscenities from her children and the other characters she would tolerate. Her constant need to be the mediator while also being accomodating and ensuring everything runs smoothly, at times, is so humorous, and at other times, not so much. I actually felt so bad for her. It must have been very exhausting always trying to be the mediator: to ensure people behave accordingly, all with a smile and a lavish meal cooked to perfection while looking her best. What a tall order! We are privy to this desire to make it all look effortless and wonderful at one of the parties the family decides to throw, where they invite many friends and acquaintances from the island and from other distant shores, which are usually Lawrence’s many friends. Louisa, as well as her daughter Margot, are so determined to make it a success but of course, with a foul-mouthed drunk captain, and magicians who aren’t really magicians, and free-range animals roaming in and around the house, success might be a bit of an unattainable goal.
I especially loved the adventures that Gerry had with the boat his brother Leslie made. Spending whole days in the outdoors, free from guilt — there’s something so liberating about it. It brought back memories of family fishing expeditions I had as a child, and long, lazy days at the beach.
There was a heartbreaking scene which involved puppies that needed a home. I was so shocked at the cruelty of this act by one of the villagers. Young Gerald Durrell demonstrates his compassion but also his ability to use his intuition in this situation and in many other circumstances.
Overall, this was a book that continued to spread sunshine after rain, that embraced us with the author’s charm and with his ability to see the beauty in the things that are often neglected. I will deeply miss this endearing family and the majestic island of Corfu.
Aside from that, Gerald Durrell, once again, shares a wonderful melange of events with us: nature expeditions, comical family moments, clever exchanges, mishaps, and the party to end all parties. All the characters that we met in the first two books were there lending their wisdom and entertaining us with their whimsical personalities. Some scenes were so delightful and full of mirth that I felt like crying from joy from the realisation that life can simply entail enjoying what is in front of us — nature. That is what this whole series does. It evokes beautiful childhood memories: walking barefoot on hot summer days, floating in a stream — just being. That childhood innocence and intrigue was once again, unlocked in this book. The world was reintroduced, once again, through the eyes of this highly intelligent, mature, curious, and charming boy who is brimming with positivity for what the world has to offer. That’s what this whole trilogy also does: it reintroduces us to the things we were introduced to as children and we look at it all through these untainted, innocent, thirsty eyes.
The dialogue was also brimming with clever wit. The exchanges with the older sibling Lawrence and the rest of the family are so hilarious. Lawrence’s sarcasm was at times laced with an extra serving of acrimony, that it’s a wonder how this family could sit through a meal together. Yet, the warmth and solidarity of the family and their friends, prevails.
The mother of the family, Louisa, is always endearing, wise, and a quiet rebel. It was so entertaining to see how much of the obscenities from her children and the other characters she would tolerate. Her constant need to be the mediator while also being accomodating and ensuring everything runs smoothly, at times, is so humorous, and at other times, not so much. I actually felt so bad for her. It must have been very exhausting always trying to be the mediator: to ensure people behave accordingly, all with a smile and a lavish meal cooked to perfection while looking her best. What a tall order! We are privy to this desire to make it all look effortless and wonderful at one of the parties the family decides to throw, where they invite many friends and acquaintances from the island and from other distant shores, which are usually Lawrence’s many friends. Louisa, as well as her daughter Margot, are so determined to make it a success but of course, with a foul-mouthed drunk captain, and magicians who aren’t really magicians, and free-range animals roaming in and around the house, success might be a bit of an unattainable goal.
I especially loved the adventures that Gerry had with the boat his brother Leslie made. Spending whole days in the outdoors, free from guilt — there’s something so liberating about it. It brought back memories of family fishing expeditions I had as a child, and long, lazy days at the beach.
There was a heartbreaking scene which involved puppies that needed a home. I was so shocked at the cruelty of this act by one of the villagers. Young Gerald Durrell demonstrates his compassion but also his ability to use his intuition in this situation and in many other circumstances.
Overall, this was a book that continued to spread sunshine after rain, that embraced us with the author’s charm and with his ability to see the beauty in the things that are often neglected. I will deeply miss this endearing family and the majestic island of Corfu.
April 18, 2021
4,5.
Y llegué al último volumen de las aventuras de los Durrell por Corfú. Inicié este viaje en marzo del 2019 sin muchas expectativas, pensando que estos libro trataban sobre lo que en realidad no tratan. Imaginaba que serían las memorias del patriarca de una familia de clase alta en Inglaterra. Lo que descubrí a las pocas páginas para mi sorpresa es que eran las memorias y el diario natural del benjamín de una excéntrica familia inglesa afincada durante cinco años en la isla griega de Corfú. Pero lo que más me sorprendió fue conectar desde el principio con el humor de Gerald Durrell, que ni es inteligente ni básico. Es un humor muy particular, tierno y gamberro a partes iguales.
Durante las casi mil páginas que componen esta trilogía he sonreído, he reído y he llorado (de la risa). Solo Caída y decadencia de prácticamente todo el mundo de Will Cuppy me ha hecho reír tanto como estos libros. Cuando pensamos que nuestra familia es un circo y que junto a ellos no nos pueden suceder cosas más surrealistas, recordemos la familia Durrell. Louisa, esa madre enamorada de la cocina internacional; el primogénito Lawrence, pedante e inteligente a partes iguales; Margo, la chica coqueta y refinada interesada en temas paranormales; Leslie, el enamorado de las armas y de pegar tiros a cualquier cosa que se mueve; y el señorito Gerald, el rebelde capaz de convertir cualquier casa en un zoo. Todos ellos tan únicos, tan peculiares, tan graciosos...
Recomiendo a cualquiera que le guste la naturaleza leer estos libros. Encontraréis en ellos un profundo conocimiento de la fauna mediterránea adrezado con historias rocambolescas y entrañables. Los tres volúmenes se pueden leer por separado, pero yo recomiendo hacerlo en orden de publicación y leerlos todos. Son libros que se meten en nuestro corazón y que no salen jamás de él. Gracias por todo, Gerald.
Continuaré leyendo libros del autor más adelante.
Y llegué al último volumen de las aventuras de los Durrell por Corfú. Inicié este viaje en marzo del 2019 sin muchas expectativas, pensando que estos libro trataban sobre lo que en realidad no tratan. Imaginaba que serían las memorias del patriarca de una familia de clase alta en Inglaterra. Lo que descubrí a las pocas páginas para mi sorpresa es que eran las memorias y el diario natural del benjamín de una excéntrica familia inglesa afincada durante cinco años en la isla griega de Corfú. Pero lo que más me sorprendió fue conectar desde el principio con el humor de Gerald Durrell, que ni es inteligente ni básico. Es un humor muy particular, tierno y gamberro a partes iguales.
Durante las casi mil páginas que componen esta trilogía he sonreído, he reído y he llorado (de la risa). Solo Caída y decadencia de prácticamente todo el mundo de Will Cuppy me ha hecho reír tanto como estos libros. Cuando pensamos que nuestra familia es un circo y que junto a ellos no nos pueden suceder cosas más surrealistas, recordemos la familia Durrell. Louisa, esa madre enamorada de la cocina internacional; el primogénito Lawrence, pedante e inteligente a partes iguales; Margo, la chica coqueta y refinada interesada en temas paranormales; Leslie, el enamorado de las armas y de pegar tiros a cualquier cosa que se mueve; y el señorito Gerald, el rebelde capaz de convertir cualquier casa en un zoo. Todos ellos tan únicos, tan peculiares, tan graciosos...
Recomiendo a cualquiera que le guste la naturaleza leer estos libros. Encontraréis en ellos un profundo conocimiento de la fauna mediterránea adrezado con historias rocambolescas y entrañables. Los tres volúmenes se pueden leer por separado, pero yo recomiendo hacerlo en orden de publicación y leerlos todos. Son libros que se meten en nuestro corazón y que no salen jamás de él. Gracias por todo, Gerald.
Continuaré leyendo libros del autor más adelante.
August 23, 2021
Για την Τριλογία της Κέρκυρας(συνολικά):
Ένα αυτοβιογραφικό οδοιπορικό στην παιδική ηλικία του συγγραφέα και τα 5 χρόνια που έζησε με την οικογένειά του στην Κέρκυρα.
Τρυφερό και ρομαντικό,γεμάτο αθώο και τσαχπίνικο χιούμορ,και φυσικά γεμάτο λεπτομέρειες της ζωής και του θανάτου εντόμων και ζώων. Μοιάζει παιδιάστικο αλλά δεν είναι καθόλου,είναι γεμάτο αγάπη κάθε είδους: για την οικογένεια,τη φύση,τη ζωή,τη μάθηση.
Εξαιρετικά και τα 3❤️
5⭐
Ένα αυτοβιογραφικό οδοιπορικό στην παιδική ηλικία του συγγραφέα και τα 5 χρόνια που έζησε με την οικογένειά του στην Κέρκυρα.
Τρυφερό και ρομαντικό,γεμάτο αθώο και τσαχπίνικο χιούμορ,και φυσικά γεμάτο λεπτομέρειες της ζωής και του θανάτου εντόμων και ζώων. Μοιάζει παιδιάστικο αλλά δεν είναι καθόλου,είναι γεμάτο αγάπη κάθε είδους: για την οικογένεια,τη φύση,τη ζωή,τη μάθηση.
Εξαιρετικά και τα 3❤️
5⭐
June 14, 2020
Con este libro se cierra la trilogía de Corfú. Ha sido un viaje divertido. Las vivencias de esta familia en la isla griega se me han hecho muy amenas, les he cogido cariño a todos. Sin el humor no hubiera sido lo mismo, pero humor es lo que desprenden estas memorias de Gerald Durrell y su maravillosa familia. Un 4,5.
February 21, 2025
Serinin son kitabı da bittiiii… Keyfim kaçtıkça elime aldığım, yüzümde tebessümle kitap okuma keyfini yaşatan üçleme sona erdi. :(
Harika bir maceraydı Durrell ailesi ile Korfu…
“Değil mi tatlım?”
Harika bir maceraydı Durrell ailesi ile Korfu…
“Değil mi tatlım?”
January 9, 2010
This is the finish to the trilogy of books Durrell wrote about growing up on Corfu. I love all three books for their combination of family memoir and natural history. Durrell writes well and these books are very funny so beware of reading them on public transportation!
These books delighted me as a middle-school aged kid when I read them before and they are just as delightful now as I aspire to adulthood. Some day I will at least visit Corfu, but my true fantasy is to find a strawberry pink villa there in which to retire in splendor.
These books delighted me as a middle-school aged kid when I read them before and they are just as delightful now as I aspire to adulthood. Some day I will at least visit Corfu, but my true fantasy is to find a strawberry pink villa there in which to retire in splendor.
March 15, 2019
I enjoyed Durrell's animal adventure stories and the way he described the action of the animals, the people, the weather, the scenery and landscape of the island in everything he did. The animal characters, his family and their friends were outrageously fascinating.
September 6, 2016
I loved the way he gives the animals and insects personalities.
December 27, 2024
Önce Lawrence sonra Gerald sayesinde tanıştığım Durrell Ailesi'yle vedalaştım. Bunca olumsuz olayın, umutsuzluğun, sıkışmışlığın içinde Korfu'ya ışınlanmak, güneşli havayı hissetmek, iyi insanlarla, komik durumlarla, birbirini olduğu gibi kabul etmeyi başarabilmiş karakterlerle tanışmak bana nasıl iyi geldi anlatamam.
Kitaplar, hayatın ne denli zor olduğunu tokat gibi yüzümüze çarpıyor sıklıkla. Okurken size iyi hissettiren, kolaya kaçılmamış, "tatil kitabı" olmayan öyle az sayıda eser var ki ya da varsa da ben öyle az denk geliyorum ki...O nedenle bu seri gülümseyerek okuyacağım kitapların da olduğunu bana gösterdi diyebilirim. Hayat Sevince Güzel salaklığında değil, hızlıca yapılmış bir şaka zekiliğinde bir seri bu zira. İyi hissedeceği şeyler okumaya ihtiyaç duyan yani muhtemelen ülkemdeki güzel insanların çoğunluğuna bu seriyi canı gönülden öneririm.
Kitaplar, hayatın ne denli zor olduğunu tokat gibi yüzümüze çarpıyor sıklıkla. Okurken size iyi hissettiren, kolaya kaçılmamış, "tatil kitabı" olmayan öyle az sayıda eser var ki ya da varsa da ben öyle az denk geliyorum ki...O nedenle bu seri gülümseyerek okuyacağım kitapların da olduğunu bana gösterdi diyebilirim. Hayat Sevince Güzel salaklığında değil, hızlıca yapılmış bir şaka zekiliğinde bir seri bu zira. İyi hissedeceği şeyler okumaya ihtiyaç duyan yani muhtemelen ülkemdeki güzel insanların çoğunluğuna bu seriyi canı gönülden öneririm.
August 9, 2025
Çok eğlendim, güldüm, içi ısındı Ege güneşinde. O Hint partisinde ben de olsaydım keşke.
March 2, 2024
Hilarious!
Gerry Durrell’s writing is funny and extremely descriptive! You can definitely envision every scene! All three books in this trilogy were awesome! Five star book and five star trilogy!
Gerry Durrell’s writing is funny and extremely descriptive! You can definitely envision every scene! All three books in this trilogy were awesome! Five star book and five star trilogy!
October 4, 2025
Сумно, що ця трилогія завершилась. Я вже звик до персонажів, специфічного гумору й, найголовніше, атмосфери безтурботності та легкості.
August 20, 2025
Toda la trilogía me ha encantado, es muy divertida aunque ha habido cosas que no han envejecido bien. Una lectura muy veraniega!!
May 30, 2016
This is the third volume of the author´s trilogy about his life in Corfu in the 30s immediately prior to the Second World War.
Gerard Durrell has a unique gift for writing hilarious prose. He is particularly humorous when describing the heterogeneous members of his family, who are continually arguing and quarrelling amongst themselves.
The head of the household is Mother, whose main characteristic is her placatory nature (Oh, I´m sure he didn´t mean it, Larry!). Otherwise she is constantly occupied with creating delicious meals and searching for new, appetizing recipes.
Larry is the eldest – he is exceedingly intellectual and highly literary; he always expresses his true opinions about everything, particularly the irritating activities of the others, especially Gerry and his animals, and generally furnishes literary allusions to these activities. Larry is perpetually inviting eccentric friends, acquaintances, and even people he doesn´t know, for long stays with the family, generally forgetting to warn Mother, who is the one who has to cook for, and otherwise attend to, them. Later Larry becomes a famous author, whose works include the illustrious “Alexandria Quartet”.
Leslie, on the other hand, is by no means intellectual, but a ballistics expert; he is obsessed with guns and hunting, and has other practical talents.
Margo, the only girl, is generally preoccupied with her latest romantic predilection. She is good at sewing/knitting and the like; when stressed she has difficulty in finding the correct words (“It´s an eye for an ear.”)
Gerry, the author, who is the youngest, a boy of about ten, has an amazing talent in the field of natural history. With his patient dog Roger, he spends hours lying on his tummy observing the spectacular behaviour of tiny insects, spiders and the like; he is always bringing home wounded birds and other animals to add to his vast collection, to Larry´s despair.
The maid Lugaretzia, a hypochondriac, regales the family daily on the progress of her various bodily ailments.
There is also Spiro, an irascible Greek, who takes the family under his wing and, knowing everyone on the island, is able to help them with all sorts of practical problems, including bribing judges. His English is somewhat broken and he adds an “s” at the end of every word.
Theodore visits the family every Thursday and they ply him with questions, since he is extremely knowledgeable about all conceivable matters. He is “everything to everyone”. He could discuss herbs and recipes with Mother and supply her with detective stories; with Margo he could talk of diets and ointments that could remedy spots, pimples and acne (which she was plagued with); he could converse on a par with Larry; he could enlighten Leslie on the history of firearms in Greece; and illuminate Gerry on the mating habits of various frogs, spiders or whatever.
There is the lecherous, old mariner Captain Creech, who has amorous designs on Mother, and in particular her body, and whose lewd language is far from what she deems acceptable.
These are just a few of the intriguing characters that frequented the Durrell household.
I strongly recommend that you read this book. Gerald Durrell has an exceptional literary talent, not to mention his exquisite talents as a humorist; moreover, his observations of natural history are fascinating, even to a reader like me who is not normally particularly interested in such matters.
Gerard Durrell has a unique gift for writing hilarious prose. He is particularly humorous when describing the heterogeneous members of his family, who are continually arguing and quarrelling amongst themselves.
The head of the household is Mother, whose main characteristic is her placatory nature (Oh, I´m sure he didn´t mean it, Larry!). Otherwise she is constantly occupied with creating delicious meals and searching for new, appetizing recipes.
Larry is the eldest – he is exceedingly intellectual and highly literary; he always expresses his true opinions about everything, particularly the irritating activities of the others, especially Gerry and his animals, and generally furnishes literary allusions to these activities. Larry is perpetually inviting eccentric friends, acquaintances, and even people he doesn´t know, for long stays with the family, generally forgetting to warn Mother, who is the one who has to cook for, and otherwise attend to, them. Later Larry becomes a famous author, whose works include the illustrious “Alexandria Quartet”.
Leslie, on the other hand, is by no means intellectual, but a ballistics expert; he is obsessed with guns and hunting, and has other practical talents.
Margo, the only girl, is generally preoccupied with her latest romantic predilection. She is good at sewing/knitting and the like; when stressed she has difficulty in finding the correct words (“It´s an eye for an ear.”)
Gerry, the author, who is the youngest, a boy of about ten, has an amazing talent in the field of natural history. With his patient dog Roger, he spends hours lying on his tummy observing the spectacular behaviour of tiny insects, spiders and the like; he is always bringing home wounded birds and other animals to add to his vast collection, to Larry´s despair.
The maid Lugaretzia, a hypochondriac, regales the family daily on the progress of her various bodily ailments.
There is also Spiro, an irascible Greek, who takes the family under his wing and, knowing everyone on the island, is able to help them with all sorts of practical problems, including bribing judges. His English is somewhat broken and he adds an “s” at the end of every word.
Theodore visits the family every Thursday and they ply him with questions, since he is extremely knowledgeable about all conceivable matters. He is “everything to everyone”. He could discuss herbs and recipes with Mother and supply her with detective stories; with Margo he could talk of diets and ointments that could remedy spots, pimples and acne (which she was plagued with); he could converse on a par with Larry; he could enlighten Leslie on the history of firearms in Greece; and illuminate Gerry on the mating habits of various frogs, spiders or whatever.
There is the lecherous, old mariner Captain Creech, who has amorous designs on Mother, and in particular her body, and whose lewd language is far from what she deems acceptable.
These are just a few of the intriguing characters that frequented the Durrell household.
I strongly recommend that you read this book. Gerald Durrell has an exceptional literary talent, not to mention his exquisite talents as a humorist; moreover, his observations of natural history are fascinating, even to a reader like me who is not normally particularly interested in such matters.
February 21, 2025
Daha önceden “Buradan Gördüğümüz Kadarıyla” kitabında söylediğim “ihtiyaç anında okuyun” sözünü Korfu üçlemesi için de söyleyeceğim. Çok keyifsiz bir dönemimde benim gri dünyama bahar gibi bir pencere açtı.
Kitap, 1930’ların ortasında, İngiliz ikliminden yılmış Durrell ailesinin yaklaşık 5 yıl süren Korfu günlerini, ailenin en küçük üyesi ve doğa aşığı Gerald’ın çocuk gözünden aktarımı. Kitapta Durrell ailesinin delilikleri- üzgünüm bunu yumuşatamayacağım- ve Korfu adasının doğası çocuk anlatıcıya çok uygun bir şekilde adanın büyüsünden hiçbir şey kaybettirmeyen oldukça yalın ve eğlenceli bir dil ile anlatılıyor. Bu dilin de kitabın “iyi hissettiren” özelliğinin temellerinden olduğunu atlamamak lazım. Çünkü geçmişin sarıp sarmalayıcı nostaljisinden de güç alarak sizi de iç dünyanızda hayatın her zerresini merak edip keşfetmeye aç olduğunuz çocukluğun sıcaklığına geri götürüyor. Sayısını hatırlamadığım kadar çeşitli hayvanın, bitkinin –ki bazısının ismini bu kitap sayesinde öğrendim- peşinde huzurla dolmuşken Durrell evinin içindeki curcunaya kahkahalarla güldüğüm, bana gerçekten iyi gelen bir seri oldu. Fakat şunu da eklemeden geçemeyeceğim; göz devirmekten şaşı kalacak hale geldiğim bütün aksiliklerine rağmen halen Durrell’ler içinde en sevdiğim yazarım hala Lawrence Durrell. Öyle ki bütün güzelliğine ve sıcaklığına karşın, seriyi okurken aklımda hep İskenderiye Dörtlüsü’nü yeniden okuma fikri canlanıp durdu. Bu arada Korfu Üçlemesi her ne kadar kurgu dışı bir anı kitabı olarak algılansa da aslında ailenin tarihi ile değerlendirildiğinde çokça kurgusal öğe de barındırıyor, o yüzden üçleme sonrası Lawrence Durrell’e dair zihninizde kötü bir imaj oluştuysa bu noktayı atlamayın derim. Ayrıca Korfu Üçlemesi’nden ilhamla yapılan ve en az kitaplar kadar eğlenceli The Durrells dizisini öneri olarak buraya bırakayım. Açıkçası ben kitapları okumadan önce izlemiştim fakat kitaplardan sonra dahi güzelliğinden pek bir şey kaybetmedi benim gözümde.Birkaç cümle öncesinde belirttiğim gibi zaten kitapta da bazı kurgusal eklemeler ve çıkarmalar yapıldığı için kitap ve dizi arasındaki farklılıklar da o kadar rahatsız etmiyor insanı. Son olarak; siz benim düştüğüm hataya düşmeyin ve bu kitapları kış günü okumayın, çocukluk, kaybedilen o keşif arzusu ve güvenlik hissine duyduğunuz özleme bir de Ege yazı özlemi eklemek istemezsiniz bence. Biraz daha iyi hissetmek istediğinizde, sığınabileceğiniz bir kitap aradığınız dönemlerde mutlaka bu seriye göz atın. Ben büyük bir keyifle okudum, tavsiyedir.
Kitap, 1930’ların ortasında, İngiliz ikliminden yılmış Durrell ailesinin yaklaşık 5 yıl süren Korfu günlerini, ailenin en küçük üyesi ve doğa aşığı Gerald’ın çocuk gözünden aktarımı. Kitapta Durrell ailesinin delilikleri- üzgünüm bunu yumuşatamayacağım- ve Korfu adasının doğası çocuk anlatıcıya çok uygun bir şekilde adanın büyüsünden hiçbir şey kaybettirmeyen oldukça yalın ve eğlenceli bir dil ile anlatılıyor. Bu dilin de kitabın “iyi hissettiren” özelliğinin temellerinden olduğunu atlamamak lazım. Çünkü geçmişin sarıp sarmalayıcı nostaljisinden de güç alarak sizi de iç dünyanızda hayatın her zerresini merak edip keşfetmeye aç olduğunuz çocukluğun sıcaklığına geri götürüyor. Sayısını hatırlamadığım kadar çeşitli hayvanın, bitkinin –ki bazısının ismini bu kitap sayesinde öğrendim- peşinde huzurla dolmuşken Durrell evinin içindeki curcunaya kahkahalarla güldüğüm, bana gerçekten iyi gelen bir seri oldu. Fakat şunu da eklemeden geçemeyeceğim; göz devirmekten şaşı kalacak hale geldiğim bütün aksiliklerine rağmen halen Durrell’ler içinde en sevdiğim yazarım hala Lawrence Durrell. Öyle ki bütün güzelliğine ve sıcaklığına karşın, seriyi okurken aklımda hep İskenderiye Dörtlüsü’nü yeniden okuma fikri canlanıp durdu. Bu arada Korfu Üçlemesi her ne kadar kurgu dışı bir anı kitabı olarak algılansa da aslında ailenin tarihi ile değerlendirildiğinde çokça kurgusal öğe de barındırıyor, o yüzden üçleme sonrası Lawrence Durrell’e dair zihninizde kötü bir imaj oluştuysa bu noktayı atlamayın derim. Ayrıca Korfu Üçlemesi’nden ilhamla yapılan ve en az kitaplar kadar eğlenceli The Durrells dizisini öneri olarak buraya bırakayım. Açıkçası ben kitapları okumadan önce izlemiştim fakat kitaplardan sonra dahi güzelliğinden pek bir şey kaybetmedi benim gözümde.Birkaç cümle öncesinde belirttiğim gibi zaten kitapta da bazı kurgusal eklemeler ve çıkarmalar yapıldığı için kitap ve dizi arasındaki farklılıklar da o kadar rahatsız etmiyor insanı. Son olarak; siz benim düştüğüm hataya düşmeyin ve bu kitapları kış günü okumayın, çocukluk, kaybedilen o keşif arzusu ve güvenlik hissine duyduğunuz özleme bir de Ege yazı özlemi eklemek istemezsiniz bence. Biraz daha iyi hissetmek istediğinizde, sığınabileceğiniz bir kitap aradığınız dönemlerde mutlaka bu seriye göz atın. Ben büyük bir keyifle okudum, tavsiyedir.
February 4, 2019
The Garden of the Gods is the third and last in Durrell's Corfu trilogy. I had a hard time finding this book to purchase, but finally got an almost forty year old paperback from England in remarkably good condition for very little money (about $7.00 including shipping).
Again, I was delighted with Durrell's writing. He was a genius at writing hilarious conversation and relating humorous episodes. I love laughing out loud when I read his books, but it's hard not to wake up the entire household when you are reading in bed with a flashlight!
Toward the end of the book there is an episode in Chapter 7 involving Durrell's sister, Margo, which I could have done without. In the first two books, Durrell described his sister as somewhat dingy and self-involved. She comically garbled phrases and seemed naive and immature. However, in this chapter she displays a mean streak that could have endangered a young man's life. Granted, she probably didn't think about the danger of the situation, but she did mean to inflict great discomfort. It seemed out of character to previous descriptions of her and I was disappointed in the revelation. I wanted to remember the entire family as happy-go-lucky "innocents abroad."
In the preface to the second book, Durrell writes about his brothers and sister telling him, in no uncertain terms, not write another book about their family. Luckily for his readers, he forged ahead anyway with books two and three. The temptation to write about his unconventional, wacky family was simply too great for Durrell to resist, leaving us with these hilarious gems.
Again, I was delighted with Durrell's writing. He was a genius at writing hilarious conversation and relating humorous episodes. I love laughing out loud when I read his books, but it's hard not to wake up the entire household when you are reading in bed with a flashlight!
Toward the end of the book there is an episode in Chapter 7 involving Durrell's sister, Margo, which I could have done without. In the first two books, Durrell described his sister as somewhat dingy and self-involved. She comically garbled phrases and seemed naive and immature. However, in this chapter she displays a mean streak that could have endangered a young man's life. Granted, she probably didn't think about the danger of the situation, but she did mean to inflict great discomfort. It seemed out of character to previous descriptions of her and I was disappointed in the revelation. I wanted to remember the entire family as happy-go-lucky "innocents abroad."
In the preface to the second book, Durrell writes about his brothers and sister telling him, in no uncertain terms, not write another book about their family. Luckily for his readers, he forged ahead anyway with books two and three. The temptation to write about his unconventional, wacky family was simply too great for Durrell to resist, leaving us with these hilarious gems.
January 4, 2016
I kept having such laughter fits that my dog woke up and came to me with a worried look on its face.
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