My Family and Other Animals (Corfu)

‘What we all need,’ said Larry, ‘is sunshine…a country where we can grow.”Yes, dear, that would be nice,’ agreed Mother, not really listening. ‘I had a letter from George this morning – he says Corfu’s wonderful.

Why don’t we pack up and go to Greece?”Very well, dear, if you like,’ said Mother unguardedly. Escaping the ills of the British climate, the Durrell family – acne-ridden Margo, gun-toting Leslie, bookworm Lawrence and budding naturalist Gerry, along with their long-suffering mother and Roger the dog – take off for the island of Corfu. But the Durrells find that, reluctantly, they must share their various villas with a menagerie of local fauna – among them scorpions, geckos, toads, bats and butterflies.

Recounted with immense humour and charm My Family and Other Animals is a wonderful account of a rare, magical childhood.