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Part of the trilogy of memoirs that inspired the television show The Durrells in Corfu: A naturalist's adventures with animals—and humans—on a Greek island.When his family moved to a Greek island, young naturalist Gerald Durrell was able to indulge his passion for wildlife of all sorts as he discovered the new world around him—and the creatures and people who inhabited it. Indeed, Durrell's years growing up on Corfu would inspire the rest of his life.
In addition to his tales of wild show more animals, Durrell recounts stories about his even wilder family—including his widowed mother, Louisa, and elder siblings Lawrence, Leslie, and Margo—with undeniable wit and humor.
The final chapter in Durrell's reflections on his family's time in Greece before the start of World War II, The Garden of the Gods is a fascinating look at the childhood of a naturalist who was ahead of his time.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author's estate.
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Не знам дали бих могъл да обясня на някой за какво изобщо пише Джералд Даръл и защо толкова много хора от няколко поколения благоговеят пред книгите му, ако този някой не е събирал буболечки като малък, за да ги отглежда в буркани, не се е грижил поне за няколко хамстера, папагали и риби и не е влачил в къщи кученца и котенца, които е намерил на улицата…
Аз, разбира се, бях изял с кориците по няколко пъти всички show more книги на Джералд Даръл, които можах да намеря, още преди да направя 11 години, а майка ми беше вдигнала ръце от мене и ме беше оставила да се занимавам с менажерията в стаята си, която тогава беше доста по-внушителна – в голямата си част под влиянието точно на Моето семейство и други животни.
Това е една от трите книги, в които Джералд Даръл описва детството си на остров Корфу (Гърция), където по цял ден търчи по слънчевите поляни и рекички и всеки ден открива по един нов свят на дивата природа в лицето на безбройните животинки, които щъкат там. Честно казано, нямам думи да опиша не само езика на Даръл, но и начина по който той описва своето, моето и на толкова много други хора щастливо детство. show less
Аз, разбира се, бях изял с кориците по няколко пъти всички show more книги на Джералд Даръл, които можах да намеря, още преди да направя 11 години, а майка ми беше вдигнала ръце от мене и ме беше оставила да се занимавам с менажерията в стаята си, която тогава беше доста по-внушителна – в голямата си част под влиянието точно на Моето семейство и други животни.
Това е една от трите книги, в които Джералд Даръл описва детството си на остров Корфу (Гърция), където по цял ден търчи по слънчевите поляни и рекички и всеки ден открива по един нов свят на дивата природа в лицето на безбройните животинки, които щъкат там. Честно казано, нямам думи да опиша не само езика на Даръл, но и начина по който той описва своето, моето и на толкова много други хора щастливо детство. show less
The third book in Gerald Durrell’s Corfu Trilogy is The Garden of the Gods. He continues on with his memories of the years his colorful family lived on Corfu before the second world war. To Gerald, a budding naturalist, Corfu was a paradise full of creatures to be captured and studied. He planned his excursions on land and sea according to which particular creature he was after and spend his “happy, sunlit childhood” wandering the beaches and olive groves of the island.
Although Gerald isn’t considered the author of the family, that titles goes to his eldest brother, Lawrence, he does write in a warm, humorous and engaging manner. His stories of both the creatures he encounters and his family are guaranteed to bring a smile to show more your face. There is an innocence and lightness to these books that make them perfect companions when one needs a pick-me-up.
I originally read these books when I was quite young, yet they still delight and amuse me today. His humorous observations about people, places and events give these books their mass appeal and would, I believe, make a delightful read for just about anybody. show less
Although Gerald isn’t considered the author of the family, that titles goes to his eldest brother, Lawrence, he does write in a warm, humorous and engaging manner. His stories of both the creatures he encounters and his family are guaranteed to bring a smile to show more your face. There is an innocence and lightness to these books that make them perfect companions when one needs a pick-me-up.
I originally read these books when I was quite young, yet they still delight and amuse me today. His humorous observations about people, places and events give these books their mass appeal and would, I believe, make a delightful read for just about anybody. show less
Durrell has again dug back into his childhood and the four year stint on the Greek island of Corfu for the next installment of his memoir series. This time sister Margo's relationships and brother Leslie's gun obsession take more of a center stage but don't worry, Gerald's "pets" still abound. He still has plenty of stories regarding the mishaps involving animals. Another constant is all of the Durrell children continue to lie to mother and she continues to eat it up, no questions asked, just like one of Gerald's baby birds.
I have to wonder if the family was as fun loving and accepting of the practical jokes and antics as they seem to be? What kind of household welcomes perfect strangers into their home as guests? Especially ones with show more no intention of leaving? And speaking of guests, what mother would put up with dead birds falling at her feet while she tried to entertain a prominent guest?
All in all, exaggerated antics aside, Garden of the Gods is a charming and funny book. show less
I have to wonder if the family was as fun loving and accepting of the practical jokes and antics as they seem to be? What kind of household welcomes perfect strangers into their home as guests? Especially ones with show more no intention of leaving? And speaking of guests, what mother would put up with dead birds falling at her feet while she tried to entertain a prominent guest?
All in all, exaggerated antics aside, Garden of the Gods is a charming and funny book. show less
I have only one criticism of this book and that is at only 188 pages it is far too short. How I longed for it to continue! This is the final instalment of Gerald Durrell's 'Corfu Trilogy' in which he tells of his 'truly happy and sunlit childhood' and like the previous 'Birds, Beasts and Relatives' is not so much a continuation of the original 'My family and Other Animals' as another addition, with scenes often slotting in amongst the previous two books. This is a truly delightful book full of the sunshine and wonder of the previous two books but with even richer descriptions of the wildlife and island scenery than before that I felt that I too was there, going on expeditions with the young Gerry and staying at the villa and attending show more the family's crazy parties. A very fitting finale to this excellent trilogy and great reading for all who love animals, or simply enjoy experiencing true joie de vivre. show less
I've been a fan of Gerald Durrell since 1960 when I read My Family and Other Animals. I didn't know until recently that later Durrell wrote two sequels to My Family and made it into a trilogy. The second book Birds Beasts and Relatives was more adult and continued that same great stories of the author and his family in Corfu. I was unsure if a third book in the series would not be just rehashing the stories already told from a slightly older angle. But I was pleased to find that this book too is a delight. It has some new to me stories about Gerald, his mother and his siblings. Some new characters are introduced, mostly friends of Lawrence Durrell who come to visit the Durrell family at their rented Corfu villa. Gerald Durrell wrote show more over 30 books in his life. I may not read all of them but I am glad that I discovered The Garden of the Gods. show less
Durrell's third book of stories about his magical childhood on the Greek island of Corfu in the years leading up to the second world war is just as hilarious as the previous two. Interspersed with sketches on the native fauna are unbelievably funny anecdotes of the colourful people who populated his home and the island around it. Meet Prince Jeejeebuoy and Count Rossignol, and enjoy the continuing escapades of Gerry's siblings, Margo, Leslie, and Lawrence, as well as the scintillating insights of Gerry's friend and tutor, the fascinating polymath Theodore Stephanides.
I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the previous two books in the Corfu Trilogy, and unlike most readers I am more interested in the descriptions of Durrell's activities collecting animals rather than the doings of people, so. It's another collection of stories from the time his family lived on a small Greek island, when he was between the ages of eight and ten, I think. Most of the time he spends wandering the island, wading the lagoon and lake, searching for insects, reptiles, birds and the like to observe their habits and if he can, catch them to take home for his growing collection. In particular he has a pet owl and acquires several new, voraciously hungry owlets, has a variety of snakes, frogs and toads and one wonderful show more hoopoe- a bird he rescued from a hunter. The incident with the buried puppies was familiar to me, I think because I saw it represented in the film beforehand. Being a fishkeeper myself, I really liked reading about when he caught several brightly-colored gobies during the mating season, installed them in his aquarium, and watched them lay and hatch eggs. There's also a lively battle between a mantis stalking a moth, who is in turn stalked by a fat gecko, when a centipede also goes after the moth- and they are all at the last moment accosted by a hungry toad- to Gerry's indignant consternation (even though the toad itself is one of his pets).
But to me it seemed like the incidents involving people populated this book more than in others. His family is interesting and their endless rotation of visitors equally so. A lot of the characters are very unique and colorful, let's say- and the family's reaction to them is often equally so. They argue a lot- in very amusing conversations- I can't help but wonder now how much of that is accurate, and how much a bit embellished. And while it might seem that the characterizations are a bit flat- mother is always in the kitchen or planning new, lavish meals, his sister is exasperated over boys or involved in sewing, decorating and making sarcastic remarks, his older brothers immersed in their individual interests- firearms and literary pursuits- I remind myself that it's also depicted through the eyes of a child. Of course a ten-year-old who spends the day tramping the island through hot fields and olive groves, coming home hungry, might well think his mother's chief importance in life is to provide great food! Many of the jokes and comments (by visitors and family alike) are a bit scandalous or definitely sexist in nature- especially when it comes from Captain Creech- you think young Gerry doesn't comprehend it all, but he thinks it mighty funny regardless.
from the Dogear Diary show less
But to me it seemed like the incidents involving people populated this book more than in others. His family is interesting and their endless rotation of visitors equally so. A lot of the characters are very unique and colorful, let's say- and the family's reaction to them is often equally so. They argue a lot- in very amusing conversations- I can't help but wonder now how much of that is accurate, and how much a bit embellished. And while it might seem that the characterizations are a bit flat- mother is always in the kitchen or planning new, lavish meals, his sister is exasperated over boys or involved in sewing, decorating and making sarcastic remarks, his older brothers immersed in their individual interests- firearms and literary pursuits- I remind myself that it's also depicted through the eyes of a child. Of course a ten-year-old who spends the day tramping the island through hot fields and olive groves, coming home hungry, might well think his mother's chief importance in life is to provide great food! Many of the jokes and comments (by visitors and family alike) are a bit scandalous or definitely sexist in nature- especially when it comes from Captain Creech- you think young Gerry doesn't comprehend it all, but he thinks it mighty funny regardless.
from the Dogear Diary show less
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Author Information
104+ Works 21,725 Members
Gerald Durrell was born on January 7, 1925 in Jamshedpur, India to British parents. After the death of his father in 1928, the family lived in England and Europe before settling in Corfu, where he spent much of his childhood. Educated by private tutors, he became interested in natural history and amassed a private collection of dozens of creatures show more from scorpions to owls. He went on numerous wildlife expeditions and founded the Jersey Zoological Park and the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust with the purpose of breeding endangered species. His first book, The Overloaded Ark, was published in 1953. He wrote 37 books during his lifetime including My Family and Other Animals, The Bafut Beagles, A Zoo in My Luggage, Rosy Is My Relative, and The Mockery Bird. He received the Order of the British Empire in 1982 and was featured in the United Nations' Roll of Honor for Environmental Achievement in 1988. He died from complications related to a liver transplant on January 30, 1995 at the age of 70. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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- Canonical title
- The Garden of the Gods
- Original title
- The Garden of the Gods
- Alternate titles
- Fauna and Family
- Original publication date
- 1978
- Important places
- Corfu, Greece
- Dedication
- This book is for Ann Peters, at one time my secretary and always my friend, because she loves Corfu and probably knows it better than I do.
- First words
- That summer was a particularly rich one; it seemed as if the sun had drawn up a special bounty from the island for never had we had such an abundance of fruit and flowers, never had the sea been so warm and filled with fish, ... (show all)never had so many birds reared their young, or butterflies and other insects hatched and shimmered across the countryside.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)'Elephants,' said Jeejee earnestly, 'the largest quadrupeds in India.'
- Original language
- English UK
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- 813
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- 33,710
- Reviews
- 22
- Rating
- (4.08)
- Languages
- 13 — Catalan, Czech, Danish, English, Estonian, French, German, Galician, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Russian, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 48
- ASINs
- 14
