Summary

Escape to Corfu with the Durrell family in this hilarious memoir of their five-year adventure. From their impulsive decision to flee the dreary English weather to their chaotic settling-in on the sun-drenched Greek island, the Durrells encounter a cast of unforgettable characters and embrace the eccentric charm of Corfu. Young Gerry, the budding naturalist, leads the charge, exploring the island's rich wildlife and accumulating a menagerie of pets, from rose-beetles to scorpions, much to the amusement and occasional exasperation of his family.

Led by the impulsive and literary Larry, the gun-obsessed Leslie, the beauty-conscious Margo, and their ever-patient mother, the Durrells navigate the quirks of Corfu with humor and resilience. Their encounters with the locals, from the voluble Spiro Americano to the enigmatic Rose-beetle Man, are filled with laughter and cultural clashes. As Gerry delves into the island's natural wonders, his passion for animals blossoms under the tutelage of eccentric mentors like the erudite Theodore Stephanides.

From the strawberry-pink villa to the daffodil-yellow mansion, each Durrell home becomes a stage for their unconventional lives and a revolving door for a colorful cast of guests. Exploding toilets, runaway tortoises, and disastrous dinner parties are just a few of the hilarious mishaps that punctuate their days. As Gerry's collection of pets grows, so does his understanding of the natural world, leading to heartwarming discoveries and laugh-out-loud encounters.

Experience the charm of Corfu through Gerry's eyes as he explores the tortoise hills, the cyclamen woods, and the enchanted archipelago. His encounters with scorpions, mantids, and magpies reveal his growing passion for zoology. Meanwhile, the Durrell family's chaotic social life, filled with eccentric artists, amorous Turks, and hairless countesses, provides a constant source of amusement.

Join the Durrells as they embrace the unexpected, from moonlight picnics with phosphorescent porpoises to wrestling matches with wrestling champions to accidental fires caused by drunken escapades. Their time in Corfu is a celebration of life's simple pleasures, the beauty of nature, and the importance of family, however unconventional it may be. Their eventual return to England is tinged with sadness, but the memories of their Corfu adventure will stay with them, and with you, long after the last page is turned.