What We're Up To Part II: My Family and Other Animals

My Family and Other Animals

By: Gerald Durrell

Our class is reading My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. We have read up to chapter 12, The Woodcock Winter.

The main characters are Gerald, Leslie, Margo, Larry, and Mrs. Durrell, or as she is referred to in the book, Mother. This story is based on Gerald Durrell’s life as a kid in Corfu, Greece, moving from place to place.

Gerald’s family moved to Corfu, Greece five years before the onset of World War II. Durrell was born in India, and educated in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Greece. Gerald was the explorer of his family. Gerald Durrell was born in 1925. He died in 1995. When he was a kid, he collected animals such as: A turtle, a pigeon, scorpions, an owl, and spiders. He also had three dogs named Roger, Puke, and Widdle. He observed birds in their nests. He also observed tortoises, butterflies, and fireflies. On one of his birthdays, he got Widdle, Puke, and a boat, the Bootle-Bumtrinket.

Everyone in Gerald’s family is different. His sister, Margo, is in love with herself, and a whole lot of other guys… His mother never agrees with anyone. His brother, Leslie, likes to shoot things. His other brother, Larry, writes books and is the one to make the family change houses A LOT. Gerald loves animals, and adopts lots of them. He also likes to study animals so he can learn more about them.