My Family and Other Animals

By: Gerald Durrell

Narrated by: Hugh Bonneville

The book is an autobiographical account of five years in the childhood of naturalist Gerald Durrell. The book is divided into three sections, marking the three villas in which the family lived on the island. Apart from Gerald (the youngest) and Larry, the family comprised their widowed mother, the gun-mad Leslie, and diet-obsessed sister Margo together with Roger the dog.

They are fiercely protected by their taxi-driver friend Spiro (Spyros "Americano" Chalikiopoulos) and mentored by the polymath Dr Theodore Stephanides who provides Gerald with his education in natural history. Other human characters, chiefly eccentric, include Gerald's private tutors, the artistic and literary visitors Larry invites to stay, and the local peasants who befriend the family. An audio treat for those young and old.

©1956 Canongate Books (P)2010 CSA Word

Critic reviews

"Hugh Bonneville gives a lovely reading… Delicious!" ( Daily Express)

Delightfully humerous

Thoroughly enjoyed hearing about all the warm and funny antics of Gerry and his animals and the families reaction to it all. Great descriptions....

My Favorite Yet!

Hugh Bonneville is my all-time favorite narrator. I laughed so hard listening to this one!

What an enchanting story!

One of the most delightful books I have ever listened to. So full of adventure and hilarity, beautifully narrated. I will listen to it many times again I’m sure.

Love it, but please mark as Abridged!

This book is such a delight, but I was so disappointed when I realized that this was an abridged version. It did not say anywhere in the description that it was abridged, which is a bit dishonest in my opinion. Although I loved Hugh Bonneville's narration, I recommend spending the credit on the full length version of the book!

Listened Straight Thru

The funny antics of the family antics of the Durrell family, combined with the exceptional narration of Downtown Abbey's Hugh Bonneville, is a wonderful listen. Found myself smiling and even chuckling out loud. This is a mood lightener during the holiday season or anytime at all.