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ladyreading365's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
simonlorden's review against another edition
4.0
I'm ambivalent on this book, and it was mostly the last part that pulled my rating down. I'm conflicted on the topic of capturing wild animals to take them away from their homes, but Durrell seems to care about them and care well for them for the most part. However, getting the animals first and THEN trying to get a land for the zoo is incredibly irresponsible. Apparently, it took months and he even considered giving up on the whole thing, and there was a risk of the animals dying over the winter (but in the end he found them a temporary place).
Still, there are some great animal anecdotes in this. I especially liked the parts with the various monkeys that are almost like human children in the stories.
Still, there are some great animal anecdotes in this. I especially liked the parts with the various monkeys that are almost like human children in the stories.
pauloleary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
hollysar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
steph_e's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
trin's review
1.0
Mystery box book #33!
Unfortunately, this is a sequel to [b:The Overloaded Ark|111792|The Overloaded Ark|Gerald Durrell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408924737l/111792._SY75_.jpg|1894658] -- and unfortunately, it's just as racist! The occasional nice passage describing animal behavior can't make Durrell's condescending, colonialist attitude toward the Africans he encounters even remotely palatable. It's terribly disappointing to me to learn that Durrell, whose Corfu Trilogy I deeply love, was also capable of writing this.
Unfortunately, this is a sequel to [b:The Overloaded Ark|111792|The Overloaded Ark|Gerald Durrell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1408924737l/111792._SY75_.jpg|1894658] -- and unfortunately, it's just as racist! The occasional nice passage describing animal behavior can't make Durrell's condescending, colonialist attitude toward the Africans he encounters even remotely palatable. It's terribly disappointing to me to learn that Durrell, whose Corfu Trilogy I deeply love, was also capable of writing this.
cmbohn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, and Racism
frannyglasslover's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Every time I finish a Gerald Durrell book i want to grab a pair of binoculars and set off on a walk, which I think explains why I gave this book a high rating.
There are two instances where it falls short of five stars for me; some attitudes and methods were dated in a way that jolted me out of my engagement with the rest of the book, and it is simply not as good as the Corfu trilogy.
Having said that, Gerald Durrell will forever be one of my favourite writers, he has such an eye for describing the unique, small details that give so much life to the animals, landscapes and people described.
There are two instances where it falls short of five stars for me; some attitudes and methods were dated in a way that jolted me out of my engagement with the rest of the book, and it is simply not as good as the Corfu trilogy.
Having said that, Gerald Durrell will forever be one of my favourite writers, he has such an eye for describing the unique, small details that give so much life to the animals, landscapes and people described.