Product Description

A collection of short stories by a world-renowned naturalist and author of My Family and Other Animals introduces an eccentric cast of characters including a prize-truffling pig in France and an aging Memphis belle.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #255533 in Books
• Published on: 1993-05-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 197 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Eight droll stories--linked only in that they may or may not have happened to Durrell--told with the cleverness and wit of an accomplished after-dinner raconteur.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
In these eight stories, which feature the author himself, naturalist Durrell contrasts human and animal behavior. The entire collection is prefaced by an epigram from Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary : "Bride--a woman with a fine prospect of happiness behind her." The reader soon finds the same prospect, for the epigram's minimal relevance indicates the problem: Durrell does not seem to know when he has made his point. The title story shows how the author's widowed mother cleverly stops her meddlesome children from trying to get her remarried. "Retirement" aims for profundity with the sudden death of a retiring sea captain but becomes silly. "The Jury," about a hangman in Paraguay haunted by his victims, has potential but grows tired and predictable. There are many wonderfully descriptive passages and images, but they ramble. A valiant effort drowned by purple prose. Not recommended.
-Kenneth Mintz, Hoboken P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews
Beginning with Esmeralda, a champion truffle pig who smells of Joy, this collection of eight stories finds Durrell on a familiar anecdotal high. Fact or fiction, his tales are full of the unique tricks and deftly timed scenes that characterize his other writings, from the nun who finds her truer calling in a Monte Carlo casino to the beloved cruise captain who drops dead as his ship crosses the dateline. But, memorable as they are, the manner of their introduction has more enduring appeal. With his natural storytelling rhythm and sunny, generous stance, Durrell not only pins down the precise idiosyncrasies of his unlikely subjects (the devoted Greek friend who swears ``My lips are seals'') but validates them as well, allowing, for example, the former hangman rattled by his past to confront the men he executed before determining his own death. In the title story, Gerry and his siblings at a younger age, endowed with the same dubious qualities they've had in previous appearances, try to arrange a wildly inappropriate match for their widowed mother; she responds with a vastly superior scheme of her own. In another piece, a perpetually cursing parrot inadvertently hastens the downfall of a wayward vicar. On two legs or four, these improbable creatures offer softened charms and certain satisfactions for old fans and newer enthusiasts. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Read on to see what four "concerned" children can do...
Another engaging, rambling account of Gerald Durrell's interesting,to say the least, childhood. The title story recounts the attempts made by the brood to marry off their mother for her "benefit", in their words. The chaos and tumult that follow must be read to be really appreciated. The other stories in the book describe in vivid detail some of the amazing incidents that happened during the family's stay on the beautiful island that is Corfu. Definitely worth spending many afternoons re-reading this book, with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies.You might think you were one of the many guests this family has had.

Sightly Disappointing
I had high hopes of being impressed, but the 8 stories fell short of the expectaions created by that fine novel 'My Family and Other Animals'.

Yes there are flashes of the Durell humour, but the quality of the writing is sometimes strained - especially apparant in 'Marrying Off Mother' where information about things and people ate given in terse little bites that do not have the charm of a more full-bodied development. Also some of the stories are too improbable for suspension of disbelief, ie. the story of the gambling nun. 'The Jury' is like something out of 'Tales of the Unexpected' or 'Tales from the Dark side', and bears some resemblence to Somerset Maugham's darker tales of Malaya. Also some of the world-weary author comes through in the stories, which means the wry and humourous 'voice' of ten year old Durell, created so beautifully in 'My Family and Other Animals' is merely imitated. The only place it fully succeeds is in Antoine's little speech in 'Marrying Off Mother' - which is worth reading the whole book for!

Perhaps I am being grossly unfair in expecting something like 'My Family and Other Animals' - each book and story should stand on its own. It is worth reading just to get a taste of what other things interested Durell. Some of the stories do not actually have animals in them!

Disappointing compared to "My Family and Other Animals"
I read this book hoping for another gem like "My Family and Other Animals". Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

Although "Marrying Off Mother" has much of the same wonderful timing & wit that's in other Durrell books, it seems to be missing their soul. This is a cynical book, and the timing & wit (that in earlier books shows Durrell's innonence and passion) conveys smugness and superiority in "Marrying off Mother". This attitude wears thin pretty quickly.

If you're interested in reading Durrell, I strongly recommend "My Family and Other Animals". But not this book.