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Gerry & I
"An enchanting and very funny book" Sunday Times
In 1967, Jacquie Durrell decided to describe her own experiences of living with her famous husband, Gerald Durrell and the Durrell family. This new edition has allowed her to reflect on those times and to give readers an extra glimpse of life with Gerry.
Jacquie and Gerry travelled from Africa to South America, Asia and beyond, collecting animals from the most remote corners of the world for the Zoo they planned to open together, encountering a menagerie of exotic beasts - both human and animal - along the way.
These trips, as 'glamorous' as they may have seemed, were not without their trials. She writes openly and honestly about the ups and downs of her marriage to Gerry; from the moment she first set eyes on her future husband and the trouble their relationship caused with her father, to the struggles they endured during their later years of marriage yet managing to recount her experiences with with good humour throughout. She viewed Gerry as a dreamer and it was she who urged him to write and to encourage him to give talks to the BBC and led to a number of television series, all of which enabled them financially to open up their own Zoo.
The death of Gerry’s mother and the zoo which became a financial drain on their resources, had a catastrophic effect on her husband who became depressed and took to drink. By 1976, their relationship came to an end and Jacquie left Gerry and pursued a new life on her own.
Jacquie's very personal observations on the situations in which she found herself; of holidays with Larry and his wife; of long lunches with family and friends; are told with hilarity, wit and warmth, and offers a refreshing insight to her own character, independent of the supportive and encouraging role she had always been cast in as 'Gerry's wife'.
In 1967, Jacquie Durrell decided to describe her own experiences of living with her famous husband, Gerald Durrell and the Durrell family. This new edition has allowed her to reflect on those times and to give readers an extra glimpse of life with Gerry.
Jacquie and Gerry travelled from Africa to South America, Asia and beyond, collecting animals from the most remote corners of the world for the Zoo they planned to open together, encountering a menagerie of exotic beasts - both human and animal - along the way.
These trips, as 'glamorous' as they may have seemed, were not without their trials. She writes openly and honestly about the ups and downs of her marriage to Gerry; from the moment she first set eyes on her future husband and the trouble their relationship caused with her father, to the struggles they endured during their later years of marriage yet managing to recount her experiences with with good humour throughout. She viewed Gerry as a dreamer and it was she who urged him to write and to encourage him to give talks to the BBC and led to a number of television series, all of which enabled them financially to open up their own Zoo.
The death of Gerry’s mother and the zoo which became a financial drain on their resources, had a catastrophic effect on her husband who became depressed and took to drink. By 1976, their relationship came to an end and Jacquie left Gerry and pursued a new life on her own.
Jacquie's very personal observations on the situations in which she found herself; of holidays with Larry and his wife; of long lunches with family and friends; are told with hilarity, wit and warmth, and offers a refreshing insight to her own character, independent of the supportive and encouraging role she had always been cast in as 'Gerry's wife'.
- GenresNonfiction
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1967
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 14, 2019
'Durrell?' I must say I enjoyed the book enough to finish it! However I was very irritated by the author constantly referring to the late and great Gerry just as 'Durrell'! Maybe as his wife she felt it alright to do this but to me it was unnecessary almost trying to t
to belittle him I just thought 'silly woman!!' I am hoping to go to Jersey soon as well as Corfu!
to belittle him I just thought 'silly woman!!' I am hoping to go to Jersey soon as well as Corfu!
February 23, 2020
This is the story of Gerald Durrell and his first wife Jacquie, written by her in 1967 with an added foreword 50 years later and tells of their marriage and travels to Argentina, Patagonia, New Zealand and Australia amongst other places to film animals and to collect some species to set up our Jersey Zoo which is now renowned world wide. I especially loved to hear of when N’Pongo the gorilla, Pedro the bear and the two leopards arrived as I was very fond of them all.
March 6, 2020
Tres estrelas e media. Sorprendeume a descrición da impresión que lle produciu a primeira vez que o veu, 'a rather delicate looking Rupert Brooke-ish young man', e a verdade o resto do libro conserva esa mirada admirada, doce, divertida e atenta.
May 5, 2019
Четири по сантиментални причини.
July 24, 2021
Great third person take on Gerry Durrell
Fascinating to learn about Gerald Durrell's early career and his personality in general. Also, a great first person account of all of trials and tribulations of collecting wild animals from exotic continents and then starting a zoo.
The only negative was the abrupt ending that seemed to warrant a better description of the spit between Jacquie and Gerry Durrell.
Fascinating to learn about Gerald Durrell's early career and his personality in general. Also, a great first person account of all of trials and tribulations of collecting wild animals from exotic continents and then starting a zoo.
The only negative was the abrupt ending that seemed to warrant a better description of the spit between Jacquie and Gerry Durrell.
February 11, 2023
a good read for all Durrell family fans
I loved reading about the difficulties of travel and communication during the years of this adventure, compared to the relative ease we have in the year, 2022. A personal peek into the private lives of Gerald Durrell with some side info on other family members who are well known to fans of Lawrence Durrell.
I loved reading about the difficulties of travel and communication during the years of this adventure, compared to the relative ease we have in the year, 2022. A personal peek into the private lives of Gerald Durrell with some side info on other family members who are well known to fans of Lawrence Durrell.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews