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The Zoo Memoirs #2
The Whispering Land
Naturalist Gerald Durrell recalls his expedition to South America to find exotic animals in this follow-up to A Zoo in My Luggage. After bringing multiple species of African animals back to the Channel Island of Jersey to populate their new zoo, British naturalist Gerald Durrell and his wife followed their passion for wildlife preservation on a journey to South America. With a team of helpers, they spent eight months on safari searching for exotic specimens. Through windswept Patagonian shores and tropical forests in the Argentine, from ocelots to penguins, fur seals to parrots to pumas, the author who inspired the public television drama The Durrells in Corfu captures the landscape and its inhabitants with his signature charm and humor. Filled with adventure, exploration, and the spirit of conservation, The Whispering Land is a memoir that animal lovers of all ages will enjoy. This ebook features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author’s estate.
223 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1961
152 people are currently reading
1137 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Durrell
227 books1,711 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 131 reviews
October 12, 2024
An interesting read but rather more serious than I remember his other books to be. The narrator's voice wasn't the best match for the book in my opinion, which also affected my listening experience.
Favorite quote:
"It is so old, it has an air of old," he said staring about him, "You know, Gerry, I bet it is so old that even the flies have beards."
Favorite quote:
"It is so old, it has an air of old," he said staring about him, "You know, Gerry, I bet it is so old that even the flies have beards."
November 17, 2024
This a total pleasure. It is late 1950s and a group, lead by G, Durrell is all over Argentina “collecting“ live animals for a tiny zoo on the Isle of Jersey. He has that wry, self-deprecating British sense of humor, coupled with a kindness and integrity, and great writing, that had me giggling and wishing i was there.
His descriptions were very funny as when he tells us that the lassitude and somnolence of the elephant seals were akin to "a convention of dropsy sufferers having a chess tournament in a Turkish bath."
With insight and prescience rare at the time, he writes about the Patagonian Indians who were “exterminated” by the Europeans during the 19th century:
“So they vanished, like so many animal species when they come into contact with the beneficial influence of civilization...”
He was writing in the early sixties - when, as i recall, not many of us questioned that homemade bomb shelters and "duck and cover" drills would protect us from a nuclear holocaust, or the ‘fact’ that Columbus discovered America. Durrell is socially and emotionally ahead of his time - there is a scene when some ‘fellow englishman’ wearing his Public (private) School tie to a Buenos Aires function attempts to pretend that he & Gerrald are of a kind, implying their intrinsic superiority to these “rather dull” country types; tries to create a granfalloon. Gerrald compares this toffish wanker quite disfavorably to the kind, generous, helpful folks on the third class train who went way out of their way to assist him. Sort of an unwitting early world citizen.
Or when heading out for several days in a new town:
“We also had a clean shirt each, which our driver had placed reverently and tenderly in a pool of oil.” Another sign of someone wonderful; those who can see what is important & laugh retrospectively at the rest. In a 3rd world place, the driver would have been unnecessarily shamed, as i am sure the ‘reverent & tender’ part is true - & who cares about a clean shirt more than a new Argentine / Ghanaian/ Sri Lankan friend??
i guess i’ll need to add G. Durrell to my longish list of dead crushes - Che, Carlos Gardel, etc.
Thoroughly enjoyable book.
His descriptions were very funny as when he tells us that the lassitude and somnolence of the elephant seals were akin to "a convention of dropsy sufferers having a chess tournament in a Turkish bath."
With insight and prescience rare at the time, he writes about the Patagonian Indians who were “exterminated” by the Europeans during the 19th century:
“So they vanished, like so many animal species when they come into contact with the beneficial influence of civilization...”
He was writing in the early sixties - when, as i recall, not many of us questioned that homemade bomb shelters and "duck and cover" drills would protect us from a nuclear holocaust, or the ‘fact’ that Columbus discovered America. Durrell is socially and emotionally ahead of his time - there is a scene when some ‘fellow englishman’ wearing his Public (private) School tie to a Buenos Aires function attempts to pretend that he & Gerrald are of a kind, implying their intrinsic superiority to these “rather dull” country types; tries to create a granfalloon. Gerrald compares this toffish wanker quite disfavorably to the kind, generous, helpful folks on the third class train who went way out of their way to assist him. Sort of an unwitting early world citizen.
Or when heading out for several days in a new town:
“We also had a clean shirt each, which our driver had placed reverently and tenderly in a pool of oil.” Another sign of someone wonderful; those who can see what is important & laugh retrospectively at the rest. In a 3rd world place, the driver would have been unnecessarily shamed, as i am sure the ‘reverent & tender’ part is true - & who cares about a clean shirt more than a new Argentine / Ghanaian/ Sri Lankan friend??
i guess i’ll need to add G. Durrell to my longish list of dead crushes - Che, Carlos Gardel, etc.
Thoroughly enjoyable book.
April 1, 2025
Gerald Durrell takes readers on a delightful journey through Argentina on an expedition to acquire animals for his Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands. Published in 1961, it is a sequel to A Zoo in My Luggage (which I have not read). Durrell recounts his adventures with his small team as they traverse Patagonia, encountering a menagerie of fascinating creatures including fur seals, elephant seals, varieties of penguins, guanacos, maras, an assortment of birds, and more.
In Part One, they film the wildlife and identify where the colonies are located. Part Two recounts the team's efforts to find and purchase various tropical birds, small felines, and other animals native to South America that could be easily cared for and transported. Durrell tells his stories with warmth and personality. He vividly describes Argentina's varied landscapes, from coastal regions to arid plains. His interactions with Argentine guides, officials, and rural inhabitants add cultural depth and, occasionally, comic relief.
Durrell's enthusiasm for conservation is apparent. Through amusing anecdotes, he educates readers on the importance of responsible animal collection practices. Though the book reflects attitudes that differ from modern approaches, Durrell's fundamental respect for animals and commitment to their welfare is evident throughout. His nursing back to health of the baby peccary, starving ocelot, and introduction of a domestic cat to help a Geoffroy’s cat adjust are touching. This book is charming and fun. Recommended to readers seeking an entertaining blend of adventure, natural history, and gentle humor.
In Part One, they film the wildlife and identify where the colonies are located. Part Two recounts the team's efforts to find and purchase various tropical birds, small felines, and other animals native to South America that could be easily cared for and transported. Durrell tells his stories with warmth and personality. He vividly describes Argentina's varied landscapes, from coastal regions to arid plains. His interactions with Argentine guides, officials, and rural inhabitants add cultural depth and, occasionally, comic relief.
Durrell's enthusiasm for conservation is apparent. Through amusing anecdotes, he educates readers on the importance of responsible animal collection practices. Though the book reflects attitudes that differ from modern approaches, Durrell's fundamental respect for animals and commitment to their welfare is evident throughout. His nursing back to health of the baby peccary, starving ocelot, and introduction of a domestic cat to help a Geoffroy’s cat adjust are touching. This book is charming and fun. Recommended to readers seeking an entertaining blend of adventure, natural history, and gentle humor.
March 7, 2023
What I wouldn’t give to be sitting with renowned conservationist Gerald Durrell right about now, sharing a bottle of wine and chatting about his journey from Buenos Aires to Patagonia! Durrell had a great sense of humour and recounted fascinating stories of people, places and wildlife and that’s what made this book a pleasure to read!
This book was a delightful surprise. Gerald Durell, and his wife spent 8 months in Argentina in the late 1950s collecting animals for a South American collection in his Jersey Zoo on the Channel Islands. Wait! Keep reading. Durrel’s vision was a bold one for the time; rather than a menagerie for entertainment, his zoo was set up as a captive breeding program to save endangered species. His trip to Patagonia had one purpose: to save wild animals in their country of origin.
The marvelous descriptions of animal behaviour and the eccentric people he met along the way kept me spellbound. I loved the social life of fur seals and the nesting/feeding habits of penguins as much as I loved his dry British humour. I noted two new-to-me words: indefatigable and carunculated!
Part travelogue, part Science class film, and stuffed with fascinating anecdotes, this story is one I’ll remember for quite some time.
This book was a delightful surprise. Gerald Durell, and his wife spent 8 months in Argentina in the late 1950s collecting animals for a South American collection in his Jersey Zoo on the Channel Islands. Wait! Keep reading. Durrel’s vision was a bold one for the time; rather than a menagerie for entertainment, his zoo was set up as a captive breeding program to save endangered species. His trip to Patagonia had one purpose: to save wild animals in their country of origin.
The marvelous descriptions of animal behaviour and the eccentric people he met along the way kept me spellbound. I loved the social life of fur seals and the nesting/feeding habits of penguins as much as I loved his dry British humour. I noted two new-to-me words: indefatigable and carunculated!
Part travelogue, part Science class film, and stuffed with fascinating anecdotes, this story is one I’ll remember for quite some time.
January 10, 2022
ENGLISH: This is the fifth time I've read this book, which tells about Durrell's second expedition to Argentina, this time to collect animals for his own zoo. One interesting quote: when Durrell's equipment was confiscated by the Argentine customs, he told the officers that under the dictatorship [he] got [his] things in and out of the country without trouble, whereas now [they] were a democracy [he was] being treated like a smuggler. And he added: Surely one is allowed to voice one’s thoughts, even in a democracy?
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la quinta vez que leo este libro, que cuenta la segunda expedición de Durrell a Argentina, esta vez para recolectar animales para su propio zoológico. Veamos una cita interesante: cuando el material de Durrell fue confiscado por la aduana argentina, les dijo a los oficiales que bajo la dictadura podía meter y sacar mis cosas sin problemas, mientras que ahora que ustedes son una democracia me están tratando como a un contrabandista. Y agregó: ¿Seguramente se me permitirá expresar mis pensamientos, incluso en una democracia?
ESPAÑOL: Esta es la quinta vez que leo este libro, que cuenta la segunda expedición de Durrell a Argentina, esta vez para recolectar animales para su propio zoológico. Veamos una cita interesante: cuando el material de Durrell fue confiscado por la aduana argentina, les dijo a los oficiales que bajo la dictadura podía meter y sacar mis cosas sin problemas, mientras que ahora que ustedes son una democracia me están tratando como a un contrabandista. Y agregó: ¿Seguramente se me permitirá expresar mis pensamientos, incluso en una democracia?
March 8, 2025
Questo libro mi è piaciuto tanto tanto!
Le illustrazioni dell'edizione Adelphi davvero adorabili. Mi piace molto la scrittura di Durrell, le sue descrizioni e il suo umorismo (quasi sempre, diciamo).
Molto scorrevole e super vibe, oltre per gli animali incredibili e i paesaggi che descrive, anche per la benevola e accogliente fauna umana che incontra, che ti riporta proprio la speranza nella nostra specie :)
Le illustrazioni dell'edizione Adelphi davvero adorabili. Mi piace molto la scrittura di Durrell, le sue descrizioni e il suo umorismo (quasi sempre, diciamo).
Molto scorrevole e super vibe, oltre per gli animali incredibili e i paesaggi che descrive, anche per la benevola e accogliente fauna umana che incontra, che ti riporta proprio la speranza nella nostra specie :)
September 22, 2024
Delightful, as everything Gerry Durrell writes. Candid, charming, humorous in a very British way.
May 3, 2018
Gerald Durrell invites us to share his journey to Argentina where he set off to find and film penguins. Along the way he gathers many friends, human and animal alike, some of which will be crated up and taken to his zoo in Jersey. These days we have different ideas about how to treat wild animals but this was the 1950’s and that’s how zoos were stocked and how zoologists got to study and understand the creatures we share the whispering land with.
Durrell comes across as the friendliest and kindest of pack leaders. He makes his bed on the ground underneath the Land Rover while his companions bed down in the vehicle. Given half a chance I would have volunteered to follow him on his quest for knowledge of the non-human world. It would have been fascinating to watch him relate to the animals he adopted - many of which he restored to health and, in one case, back to life.
Durrell’s prose has a fluidity and immediacy that seems to pull the reader into the action. His description of a bull fur seal protecting his harem is visceral as are his observations of the same seal giving a youngster terrifying swimming lessons.
This biography come travelogue come zoology lesson is simply a joy to read.
Durrell comes across as the friendliest and kindest of pack leaders. He makes his bed on the ground underneath the Land Rover while his companions bed down in the vehicle. Given half a chance I would have volunteered to follow him on his quest for knowledge of the non-human world. It would have been fascinating to watch him relate to the animals he adopted - many of which he restored to health and, in one case, back to life.
Durrell’s prose has a fluidity and immediacy that seems to pull the reader into the action. His description of a bull fur seal protecting his harem is visceral as are his observations of the same seal giving a youngster terrifying swimming lessons.
This biography come travelogue come zoology lesson is simply a joy to read.
March 29, 2019
"The sequel to A Zoo in My Luggage, The Whispering Land is the story of how Durrell and his wife's zoo-building efforts at England's Jersey Zoo led them and a team of helpers on an eight-month safari in Argentina for South American specimens. Through windswept Patagonian shores and tropical forest in the Argentine, from ocelots to penguins, fur seals to parrots, Durrell captures the landscape and its inhabitants with his signature charm and humor. This is a book that animal lovers of all ages will enjoy."
A charming book, as all the books by this author are. They have the ability to transport the reader to the lands Durrell collects in, and the ability to introduce all manner of animals, funny, angry, or rare.
A charming book, as all the books by this author are. They have the ability to transport the reader to the lands Durrell collects in, and the ability to introduce all manner of animals, funny, angry, or rare.
June 24, 2020
Unapologetically honest and filled with humour that could only be considered as “politically incorrect” by the easily offended, this book is even more entertaining than “A Zoo in My Luggage”. Durrell’s deep appreciation for animals shines through his genuine words describing all the great adventures, relentless pursue and keen observation for the animals.
This book provided great company during my tedious inventory work today. I give it 4 stars.
This book provided great company during my tedious inventory work today. I give it 4 stars.
June 15, 2025
Gerald Durrell visits Argentina to film penguins and seals in the Atlantic coast, and to the tropical areas of Jujuy to collect parrots, armadillos, a puma, a Geoffroy's cat, a neglected ocelot, and many more animals.
At the same time, he humorously describes the hardships of the trip and the many helpful people he met along the way.
At the same time, he humorously describes the hardships of the trip and the many helpful people he met along the way.
December 31, 2019
3.5 stars. Absorbing experience much of the time, but it wasn’t quite as enjoyable as some of his others. Glad I read it. I learned so much about South America, animal collecting, husbandry, and the hardships of shipping the animals from South America to England.
June 21, 2019
Can I give it 10 stars? Gerald Durrell remains one of the most delightful authors who ever wrote.
May 25, 2019
Mr Durrell, I do not approve of zoos, so that's a star less, but I must admit that you write enviably well.
November 1, 2023
Esmu nedaudz vīlusies Darelā. Citas viņa grāmatas ir daudz vairāk vērstas uz dzīvo dabu un tās izpēti, kas šajā arī bija un izglāba grāmatai vismaz 3 zvaigznes, bet kopējais Darela tēls šajā grāmatā nebija visuzrunājošākais, kā arī pieļauju, ka kopējo noskaņu bojāja ne visai labais tulkojums, kur ne vien valoda reizēm bija tūļīga, bet arī atsevišķas dzīvnieku sugas bija ne tā nosauktas.
August 12, 2022
Delightful!
January 28, 2016
This is the story of a trip by Gerald Durrell, the brother of philosopher Lawrence Durrell, who went into collecting animals for zoos befoire starting his own. This book is a good read for anyone, for so many reasons -- 1) the story is true, of the sort that would be unbelievable if it were fiction; 2) it's good for all ages and types, except people who hate animals maybe; 3) every page is a pleasure, so that you hate to see it end; 4) there are lots more where that came from, as this author was a tireless writer.
June 10, 2013
The sequel to A Zoo in My Luggage, this is the story of how Durrell and his wife's zoo-building efforts at England's Jersey Zoo led them and a team of helpers on an eight- month safari in Argentina to look for South American specimens. Through windswept Patagonian shores and tropical forests in Argentina, from ocelots to penguins, fur seals to parrots, Durrell captures the landscape and its inhabitants with his signature charm and humor.
August 30, 2016
Much better than A Zoo in My Luggage, the companion volume, mainly due to the lack of dodgy cultural dialogue. Durrell clearly actually has a benign view of humanity despite a rather outdated colonialist streak which he can hardly be blamed for in context. Very enjoyable animal tales which is what he is best at - after finding humour in his own family, that is......
October 9, 2022
Durrell takes us again on one of his animal collecting expeditions. This book, like many of his others, immerse the reader in often hilarious and fascinating anicdotes which bring the animals and people alive. From observing seals on a Patagonian beach to adventures in the wonderfully described Juhuy provenance of Argentina this book is sure to delight.
August 18, 2014
2.5 stars. This is probably the best of the Durrell books that I read. It has some entertaining stories and a great mix of travel, comedy, and natural history information. It can become a bit slow sometimes. Nothing special, but a fun read for those interested in wildlife.
February 2, 2013
I've always loved Durrell's work, and I can't believe I hadn't read this one before.
June 25, 2015
Jópofa, argentin állatgyűjtős sztorik. :)
February 6, 2018
I love it. Just like every other book written by Gerald Durrell, captivating, funny, informative, simply amazing!!! Gerald Durrell is one of my favorite authors.
November 25, 2022
I nearly gave this four stars but I think some of the [old white British guy from 1961] vibe rubbed me the wrong way a few too many times. I was raised with a love of both books and animals, so I am no stranger to the writings of Gerald Durrell. This book was the first I had read as an adult and I saw an entirely new spin on it all.
Durrell was the sort of man who if he wanted something he would just forge out and try and pull it off. He relied a lot on the good graces of the kind people he met. Who goes to South America to find animals for a zoo, just ... seeing what happens? And then leaves a garage full of critters to be cared for by the lady of the house while they bugger off down the road to the next town to see if they can get some more..? The audacity of the man leaves me feeling taken aback.
Durell has a very odd attitude to people. I get the impression that he observes them as though they are animals. He gives an extensive report of a very fat woman that he met on a plane, recounting the number of her chins and the attractiveness of her eyes in equal measure. He seems to recount the meeting with equal parts fondness and irritation, with no thought to the dignity of the woman he is describing in his book.
If there's one thing that frustrates me about old White dudes waxing lyrical about the wilds of South America, it's their habit of calling indigenous people "Indians". I was somewhat soothed that Durrell called out the artistic depictions of natives stealing off with White women for the deliberate propaganda it was, and said that if there was any of that sort of thing happening it was the Christian settlers who were the aggressors... but that doesn't win him enough brownie-points to get away with his story being peppered with flippant jokes including references to rape and slavery.
One chapter tells a story that feels similar to Where the Crawdads Sing. A man who is considered the village weirdo, lives on the outskirts of a remote village where he is an amateur naturalist. When he is not making ends meet, he is observing birds and has made extensive observations and exquisite paintings of them in biological studies. He hopes to one day publish a book, but is so poor that he can't afford the camera he wants and he struggles to get paints. It seriously feels like this account inspired the more modern work of fiction.
For all that Durrell abandoned a baby tapir in an old lady's garden without adequate shelter (spoiling her dinner party), and left a garage full of random animals to the ministrations of his hostess, while he went rambling, I warm to a man who has such vengeful anger against those who mistreat animals. His rescue of a maltreated ocelot was heartwarming, and his account of cosleeping with an ailing piglet to keep her warm when she had pneumonia, almost wins him back in my good graces.
I did enjoy hearing about some animals I have not heard of (ok.. two.. I said I was a nerdy kid who likes animals right?). I rolled my eyes as Durrell admitted that he wished he could become a fur seal so that he could have a sexy fur-seal wife (this was 16 years before he met his wife), and his raunchy (and jealous) accounts of the languorous lovemaking of elephant seals.... seriously... indecorous! .. but funny.
Durrell was the sort of man who if he wanted something he would just forge out and try and pull it off. He relied a lot on the good graces of the kind people he met. Who goes to South America to find animals for a zoo, just ... seeing what happens? And then leaves a garage full of critters to be cared for by the lady of the house while they bugger off down the road to the next town to see if they can get some more..? The audacity of the man leaves me feeling taken aback.
Durell has a very odd attitude to people. I get the impression that he observes them as though they are animals. He gives an extensive report of a very fat woman that he met on a plane, recounting the number of her chins and the attractiveness of her eyes in equal measure. He seems to recount the meeting with equal parts fondness and irritation, with no thought to the dignity of the woman he is describing in his book.
If there's one thing that frustrates me about old White dudes waxing lyrical about the wilds of South America, it's their habit of calling indigenous people "Indians". I was somewhat soothed that Durrell called out the artistic depictions of natives stealing off with White women for the deliberate propaganda it was, and said that if there was any of that sort of thing happening it was the Christian settlers who were the aggressors... but that doesn't win him enough brownie-points to get away with his story being peppered with flippant jokes including references to rape and slavery.
One chapter tells a story that feels similar to Where the Crawdads Sing. A man who is considered the village weirdo, lives on the outskirts of a remote village where he is an amateur naturalist. When he is not making ends meet, he is observing birds and has made extensive observations and exquisite paintings of them in biological studies. He hopes to one day publish a book, but is so poor that he can't afford the camera he wants and he struggles to get paints. It seriously feels like this account inspired the more modern work of fiction.
For all that Durrell abandoned a baby tapir in an old lady's garden without adequate shelter (spoiling her dinner party), and left a garage full of random animals to the ministrations of his hostess, while he went rambling, I warm to a man who has such vengeful anger against those who mistreat animals. His rescue of a maltreated ocelot was heartwarming, and his account of cosleeping with an ailing piglet to keep her warm when she had pneumonia, almost wins him back in my good graces.
I did enjoy hearing about some animals I have not heard of (ok.. two.. I said I was a nerdy kid who likes animals right?). I rolled my eyes as Durrell admitted that he wished he could become a fur seal so that he could have a sexy fur-seal wife (this was 16 years before he met his wife), and his raunchy (and jealous) accounts of the languorous lovemaking of elephant seals.... seriously... indecorous! .. but funny.
October 5, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised by this book since I went into it with the scepticism I carry for every book I read for uni. (Can you tell that lately I haven't had time to read any book that is not part of my required reading? Midterms. Stress. Fun times.) But anyway, I guess my low expectations made me see the story in a more positive light.
This is a non-fiction book about a zoologist who visits Argentina in order to "adopt" (and I'm using the term "adopt" very lightly here) unique specimens and take them back to his zoo. I might be biased, but I really liked to see him exploring Argentina, meeting interesting characters and critizing many issues in our country that are, unsurprisingly, very much the same than in the 1950s. His witty commentary turned everyday experiences into hilarious anecdotes.
Probably due to the fact that I have no interest in zoology whatsoever, I found the thorough illustration of animals to be quite tedious. I'll admit that he gave an interesting twist to his descpritions, but there is only so much you can tell me about the behaviour of a sea lion before I get bored. But at the end of the day, it is what the book is about so he can't really be blamed.
I should also note that there is no plot, it is simply him recounting the stories of them watching animals and buying some from shady people all around the country. It is definitely not a book that I would have picked up on my own, but surprisingly, I did not hate it either.
"And you nearly spoilt everything asking him if that was a picture of his father. You knew it was San Martin."
This is a non-fiction book about a zoologist who visits Argentina in order to "adopt" (and I'm using the term "adopt" very lightly here) unique specimens and take them back to his zoo. I might be biased, but I really liked to see him exploring Argentina, meeting interesting characters and critizing many issues in our country that are, unsurprisingly, very much the same than in the 1950s. His witty commentary turned everyday experiences into hilarious anecdotes.
"To the best of my knowledge we have seen at least fourteen Señor Garcias in that building in the last three weeks. The Garcia tribe treat the Customs as though it's an old family firm. I should imagine that all the baby Garcias are born with a tiny rubber-stamp in their hands"
Probably due to the fact that I have no interest in zoology whatsoever, I found the thorough illustration of animals to be quite tedious. I'll admit that he gave an interesting twist to his descpritions, but there is only so much you can tell me about the behaviour of a sea lion before I get bored. But at the end of the day, it is what the book is about so he can't really be blamed.
"We stopped and picked him up, and the reptile, horrified by such an unexpected meeting, urinated copuously. Where he could have found, in that desiccated land, sufficient moisture to produce this lavish defensive spray was a mystery."
I should also note that there is no plot, it is simply him recounting the stories of them watching animals and buying some from shady people all around the country. It is definitely not a book that I would have picked up on my own, but surprisingly, I did not hate it either.
"If you sing to all your female acquaintances at this our of the morning, I should think you lead a pretty lonely life in bed. These things get around you know."
January 22, 2024
The Whispering Land is Gerald Durrell's account of his animal collecting odessey to Patagonia in 1960. Durrell was a naturalist who owned a private zoo on the island of Jersey. Incidentally, he was the youngest Durrell on the TV show, The Durrells of Corfu.
Durrell has a wonderful sense of humor and an excellent ability to paint word pictures. He describes the animals he studied and collected in anthropomorphic terms that can be very funny. Here is his description of a penguin colony. "In among these craters waddled the biggest collection of penguins I had ever seen, like a sea of pigmy headwaiters, solemnly shuffling to and fro as if suffering from fallen arches due to a lifetime of carrying overloaded trays."
The animals he collected and observed were all christened with amusing names. A penguin family group Durrell and his associates were filming were dubbed the Joneses. The Joneses were exemplary parents, with a "deep, carefully dug villa-residence" of a nest burrow. Their offspring were so well nourished as to be "disgustingly fat." Next to the Jones family lived a penguin chick with "an unhappy homelife" living in a "slovenly nest burrow," that Durrell and his friends named Henrietta Vacanttum. Henrietta's parents didn't feed her properly, and Durrell described her attempts to cage food off the Joneses.
The Whispering Land describes Durrell's friendship with the residents of Patagonia, who seemed to be universally friendly and helpful, taking him to find people who kept wild animals as pets, and even allowing their back yards to be turned into corrals for his animals while he and his associates searched for more.
This is a wonderful book that made me want to get on a plane for Patagonia immediately. Read it.
Durrell has a wonderful sense of humor and an excellent ability to paint word pictures. He describes the animals he studied and collected in anthropomorphic terms that can be very funny. Here is his description of a penguin colony. "In among these craters waddled the biggest collection of penguins I had ever seen, like a sea of pigmy headwaiters, solemnly shuffling to and fro as if suffering from fallen arches due to a lifetime of carrying overloaded trays."
The animals he collected and observed were all christened with amusing names. A penguin family group Durrell and his associates were filming were dubbed the Joneses. The Joneses were exemplary parents, with a "deep, carefully dug villa-residence" of a nest burrow. Their offspring were so well nourished as to be "disgustingly fat." Next to the Jones family lived a penguin chick with "an unhappy homelife" living in a "slovenly nest burrow," that Durrell and his friends named Henrietta Vacanttum. Henrietta's parents didn't feed her properly, and Durrell described her attempts to cage food off the Joneses.
The Whispering Land describes Durrell's friendship with the residents of Patagonia, who seemed to be universally friendly and helpful, taking him to find people who kept wild animals as pets, and even allowing their back yards to be turned into corrals for his animals while he and his associates searched for more.
This is a wonderful book that made me want to get on a plane for Patagonia immediately. Read it.
February 19, 2021
In Book 2 of The Zoo Memoir Trilogy, originally published in 1961, it appears that Gerald Durrell wanted to follow the path of Charles Darwin as recorded in "The Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle". Before getting to their first main destination, Patagonia, along the coastline of Southern Argentina in South America, he made a point to stop and stay over at a small town called Carmen de Patagones, one where Darwin had stayed and written about while on his adventure. Once reaching Patagonia, he, his wife Jacquie, and his secretary Sophie, stayed in Calilegua with a couple he had met. They actually let him store his collection in their garage, and even helped take care of the animals at times while he went on his own excursions in search of rare creatures.
Once again, his observations of the penguins and fur seals in the wild are very interesting and quite humorous. It is as if you were actually watching National Geographic with a commentary. But, unfortunately, this was the most interesting thing about his journey to Argentina.
In Part 2, he continues his travel down to Jujuy looking to collect more animals and birds for his zoo back on the Channel Isle in Jersey. His wife, Jacquie, had to be sent back home and didn't make this part of the adventure because upon first arriving in Patagonia, they were involved in an automobile accident which left her with severe migraines.
The focus in this book seemed to be more on the people he met and his travelling adventures getting from one place to another. Still quite an adventure, but just not quite as interesting. His strong suit in writing seems to be in his descriptions of animal behavior.
He was able to collect about 150 rare birds and animals to ship back to his zoo. You might want to have your phone nearby so you can Google images of the wild animals he crosses paths with and mentions, such as the variety of parrots, guans, seriemas, coatimundis, puma, agouti, his favorite...a very young peccary he named Juanita (common species of wild pig), tree frogs and a baby coral snake, pigmy owl, a pair of douroucoulis from the monkey tribe, etc...
Now on to Book 3: Menagerie Manor...
Once again, his observations of the penguins and fur seals in the wild are very interesting and quite humorous. It is as if you were actually watching National Geographic with a commentary. But, unfortunately, this was the most interesting thing about his journey to Argentina.
In Part 2, he continues his travel down to Jujuy looking to collect more animals and birds for his zoo back on the Channel Isle in Jersey. His wife, Jacquie, had to be sent back home and didn't make this part of the adventure because upon first arriving in Patagonia, they were involved in an automobile accident which left her with severe migraines.
The focus in this book seemed to be more on the people he met and his travelling adventures getting from one place to another. Still quite an adventure, but just not quite as interesting. His strong suit in writing seems to be in his descriptions of animal behavior.
He was able to collect about 150 rare birds and animals to ship back to his zoo. You might want to have your phone nearby so you can Google images of the wild animals he crosses paths with and mentions, such as the variety of parrots, guans, seriemas, coatimundis, puma, agouti, his favorite...a very young peccary he named Juanita (common species of wild pig), tree frogs and a baby coral snake, pigmy owl, a pair of douroucoulis from the monkey tribe, etc...
Now on to Book 3: Menagerie Manor...
October 18, 2022
4.25🌟
the whispering land chronicles gerry durrell's south americal travels, mainly in argentina, with the mission of acquiring animals for his zoo and also filming interesting wildlife in there.
this was a fun read, and in a durrell fashion, hilarious and amusing with a touch of moving and wholesome anecdotes. he never fails at making you care about the animals he talks about; or at the very least perceive them as beings who feel.
i thought he'd be catching wild animals (which would be an ironic thing as he advocates for wildlife preservation). turns out he just went to local places and with the help of friends, looked for captive wildlife he could buy.
i am in constant awe at the amount of knowledge he had about animals, but it's nothing less expected from someone who loved and lived with wildlife from his childhood in the rich nature of corfu in greece
i am especially moved with the chapters where he talked about the two people he met that left him a mark. especially the last one, coco, who was so passionate in wildlife and nature, and pursued his interests with the limited resources he could get. it was obvious this meeting was extra special to durrell.
overall an amazing read, just as i thought it would be. gerard durrell is an amazing storyteller who finds nuances in human and animal behaviours. recommended to anyone looking for a light read that involves animals and nature and interactions with life in mid-20th century argentina
the whispering land chronicles gerry durrell's south americal travels, mainly in argentina, with the mission of acquiring animals for his zoo and also filming interesting wildlife in there.
this was a fun read, and in a durrell fashion, hilarious and amusing with a touch of moving and wholesome anecdotes. he never fails at making you care about the animals he talks about; or at the very least perceive them as beings who feel.
i thought he'd be catching wild animals (which would be an ironic thing as he advocates for wildlife preservation). turns out he just went to local places and with the help of friends, looked for captive wildlife he could buy.
i am in constant awe at the amount of knowledge he had about animals, but it's nothing less expected from someone who loved and lived with wildlife from his childhood in the rich nature of corfu in greece
i am especially moved with the chapters where he talked about the two people he met that left him a mark. especially the last one, coco, who was so passionate in wildlife and nature, and pursued his interests with the limited resources he could get. it was obvious this meeting was extra special to durrell.
overall an amazing read, just as i thought it would be. gerard durrell is an amazing storyteller who finds nuances in human and animal behaviours. recommended to anyone looking for a light read that involves animals and nature and interactions with life in mid-20th century argentina
March 15, 2023
The Whispering Land, Gerald Durrell (1925-1995), illustrations (3 dozen or so) by Ralph Thompson, 1961, 217 pages.
An engaging (true) story. Jersey Zoo keeper Gerald Durrell goes to Argentina to collect animals for his exhibits.
His easiest method is to simply offer to buy the tropical birds and other animals people were keeping as pets.
Also, he hired hunters to capture animals in the wild:
We also meet penguins, fur seals, elephant seals, many talkative birds and South American mammals, and very helpful, friendly people.
Jersey Zoo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Zoo
Gerald Durrell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_...
An engaging (true) story. Jersey Zoo keeper Gerald Durrell goes to Argentina to collect animals for his exhibits.
His easiest method is to simply offer to buy the tropical birds and other animals people were keeping as pets.
Also, he hired hunters to capture animals in the wild:
Among the new creatures which I had added to my collection were two of the most enchanting members of the monkey tribe, a pair of douroucoulis which had been caught in the forest by an Indian hunter. He had been a very good hunter, but unfortunately I had paid him rather too lavishly for the monkeys, and, overcome by the size of the payment, he had retired to the village and stayed drunk ever since. p. 187.
The 'dangers' of the forest pale into insignificance as compared with the dangers of being stranded in a remote part of the world with a collection of a hundred fifty animals to feed, and your money running out.
We also meet penguins, fur seals, elephant seals, many talkative birds and South American mammals, and very helpful, friendly people.
Jersey Zoo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Zoo
Gerald Durrell: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_...
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