Editors Reads Verdict
One of Durrell's most entertaining travel books, distinguished by the extraordinary character of the Fon of Bafut. The friendship between the two men is one of his finest portraits.
What We Loved
- The Fon of Bafut is an unforgettable character
- Vivid portrait of Cameroon highlands
- Durrell at his funniest
Minor Drawbacks
- Less focused on wildlife than some Durrell
- Episodic structure
Key Takeaways
- → Cross-cultural friendship
- → Cameroon highlands wildlife
- → Comedy of expedition life
| Author | Gerald Durrell |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Penguin Books |
| Pages | 224 |
| Published | January 1, 1954 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Nature Writing, Travel, Memoir |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Best For | Readers who enjoyed The Overloaded Ark or My Family and Other Animals |
The Bafut Beagles is the account of Gerald Durrell’s second animal-collecting expedition to the British Cameroons in 1949, and it introduced to English literature one of the most memorable characters in travel writing: the Fon of Bafut. The Fon was the hereditary ruler of the Bafut people in the Cameroon highlands — a man of immense presence, enormous hospitality, a love of whisky, and a gift for dancing that put his younger guests to shame.
The book traces Durrell’s months in the highlands, collecting animals with local hunters (the ‘Bafut beagles’ of the title) and drinking the evenings away with the Fon in his compound. The wildlife is extraordinary: giant rats, pangolins, flying squirrels, rare birds — but Durrell’s attention keeps returning to the human drama, and particularly to the character of his host.
The friendship that develops between Durrell and the Fon is one of the best things Durrell ever wrote about: genuine, warm, comic, and respectful in both directions. The Bafut Beagles is among his most purely entertaining books, and the portrait of the Fon remains one of the finest in 20th-century travel writing.
Reading Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is "The Bafut Beagles" about?
Gerald Durrell's account of his second animal-collecting expedition to the British Cameroons in 1949, and his extraordinary friendship with the Fon of Bafut — a remarkable ruler with a taste for whisky and dancing.
Who should read "The Bafut Beagles"?
Readers who enjoyed The Overloaded Ark or My Family and Other Animals
What are the key takeaways from "The Bafut Beagles"?
Cross-cultural friendship Cameroon highlands wildlife Comedy of expedition life
Is "The Bafut Beagles" worth reading?
One of Durrell's most entertaining travel books, distinguished by the extraordinary character of the Fon of Bafut. The friendship between the two men is one of his finest portraits.
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