Corfu Trilogy

The inspiration for The Durrells in Corfu, a Masterpiece production on public television: A naturalist's account of his childhood on the exotic Greek island. When the Durrells could no longer endure the gray English climate, they did what any sensible family would do: sold their house and relocated to the sun-soaked island of Corfu. As they settled into their new home, hilarious mishaps ensued as a ten-year-old Gerald Durrell pursued his interest in natural history and explored the island's fauna. Soon, toads and tortoises, bats and butterflies-as well as scorpions, geckos, ladybugs, praying mantises, octopuses, pigeons, and gulls-became a common sight in the Durrell villa. Uproarious tales of the island's animals and Durrell's fond reflections on his family bring this delightful memoir to life. Capturing the joyous chaos of growing up in an unconventional household, My Family and Other Animals will transport you to a place you won't want to leave. This book features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author's estate.

The follow-up to My Family and Other Animals and the inspiration for The Durrells in Corfu: A naturalist's memoir of his family's time on a Greek island. In the years before World War II, Gerald Durrell's family left the gloomy shores of England for the sun-drenched island of Corfu. Against this picturesque backdrop, Durrell fondly recalls his family's disorderly household and outrageous antics, including their interactions with locals of both human and animal varieties. After a boyhood spent studying zoology and acquiring the island's exotic insects, reptiles, birds, mammals, and sea creatures as pets, Durrell's budding naturalism would later bloom into a passion for conservation that would last a lifetime. Filled with clever observations, amusing anecdotes, and childlike wonder, Birds, Beasts and Relatives is half nature guide, half coming-of-age tale, and all charmingly funny memoir. This book features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author's estate.

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 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 book features an illustrated biography of Gerald Durrell including rare photos from the author's estate.

The complete trilogy that inspired Masterpiece production The Durrells in Corfu in one volume. The tales of a naturalist and his family, who left England for the Greek island of Corfu-where they interacted with fascinating locals of both human and animal varieties-these memoirs have become beloved bestsellers and inspired the delightful series that aired on PBS television. Included in this three-book collection are: My Family and Other Animals: Ten-year-old Gerald Durrell arrives on sun-drenched Corfu with this family and pursues his interest in natural history, making friends with the island's fauna-from toads and tortoises to scorpions and geckos-while reveling in the joyous chaos of growing up in an unconventional household. Birds, Beasts and Relatives: Written after a boyhood spent studying zoology, this memoir is part nature guide, part coming-of-age tale, and all charmingly funny memoir. The Garden of the Gods: In the conclusion of the trilogy, Durrell shares more tales of wild animals and his even wilder family, including his mother, Louisa, and his siblings Lawrence, Leslie, and Margo, in the years before World War II.