Editors Reads Verdict
A wonderful continuation of the Corfu trilogy, matching My Family and Other Animals in warmth and wit. Durrell's love for the island's wildlife shines through every page.
What We Loved
- Perfect companion to the first book
- Vivid natural history observations
- Durrell's comic writing at its best
Minor Drawbacks
- Slightly looser structure than My Family
- Assumes familiarity with the first book
Key Takeaways
- → Wildlife observation as a form of love
- → Family as comedic cast
- → Corfu's extraordinary biodiversity
| Author | Gerald Durrell |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
| Pages | 208 |
| Published | January 1, 1969 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Memoir, Nature Writing, Comedy |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Best For | Readers who loved My Family and Other Animals and want to continue the Corfu trilogy |
Birds, Beasts, and Relatives is the second volume in Gerald Durrell’s beloved Corfu trilogy, continuing the story of the eccentric Durrell family’s years on the Greek island in the late 1930s. Where My Family and Other Animals established the framework — young Gerry’s obsessive interest in wildlife, his long-suffering family, the sun-drenched landscape — this volume deepens and enriches it.
The book introduces a new cast of animals that Durrell befriends, studies, and often brings home to the consternation of his family: a giant tortoise, a collection of scorpions, an imperious pelican. The natural history is as precise as ever, but what distinguishes the trilogy is the way Durrell makes these creatures morally present — they have personalities, grievances, and social lives as vivid as any human character.
The human comedy continues with full force. Larry, Leslie, Margo, and their mother remain some of the funniest family portraits in English literature. Durrell’s Corfu exists outside time — golden, slightly absurd, abundant with life — and this second volume extends that world with the same warmth and precision that made the first book a classic.
Reading Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "Birds, Beasts, and Relatives" about?
The second volume of Gerald Durrell's Corfu trilogy continues the story of the Durrell family's years on the Greek island. With the same warmth and comic genius as the first, it introduces more extraordinary animals and eccentric characters.
Who should read "Birds, Beasts, and Relatives"?
Readers who loved My Family and Other Animals and want to continue the Corfu trilogy
What are the key takeaways from "Birds, Beasts, and Relatives"?
Wildlife observation as a form of love Family as comedic cast Corfu's extraordinary biodiversity
Is "Birds, Beasts, and Relatives" worth reading?
A wonderful continuation of the Corfu trilogy, matching My Family and Other Animals in warmth and wit. Durrell's love for the island's wildlife shines through every page.
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