Children live a world that is astonishingly imaginative, gaily coloured and unflatteringly honest. Paradoxical? Not at all. Their vision of people, situations and behaviour is so pure that it stumps adults like us when they display their unwavering faith in life. As a parent when I see my daughter glued to Harry Potter books, I marvel at the world she lives in however farfetched it might be for a grownup like me! Her eyes take on a sparkle when she describes a tense moment from the book and I am swept away into her magical world of make- believe. It is a bliss like no other. What drives us to dream, imagine and hope? Movies, people, desires…. the list seems endless. But when I reminisce about my childhood and school life, it was those wonderful English lessons that made life oh so interesting to a bored teenager. A particularly interesting lesson in class 8 on Gerald Durrell’s “My Family and Other Animals” had us giggling that afternoon. I was hooked! In no time I was heading to the school library to hunt down that quaint book. That was the best weekend that I spent reading. The excitement of looking at animal life coupled with wonderous pictures painted by Gerald Durrell’s words were nothing like I had experienced before. Imagine this: blue Ionian skies, calm clear seas, lush carpet of flowers, twisted cypresses and the chirping of cicadas- I was instantly transported to the island of Corfu.
It is a delightful account of Gerald’s childhood spent with his eccentric family on Corfu where he discovers his passion for the animal kingdom. Each chapter is an engaging account of his obsession for spiders, geckos, tortoises, not to mention an occasional scorpion that leads to mayhem in the Durrell household. As the family moves from one villa to another aided by the rambunctious Spiro; the never-ending stream of poets, artists and aspiring writers who visit them manage to liven up their lives with their idiosyncrasies. Larry, Leslie and Margo (Gerald’s siblings) have a tolerant view of the various species that Gerald gets home much to the trepidation of their mother. But it is only Roger (the family dog), who sticks with Gerry with good humoured companionship through their forages into the countryside. Gerald observes that humans and animals in all forms and sizes behave exactly the same when faced with a challenge. Geronimo, his pet gecko would typically attack a usurper if his territory was at stake not unlike two of Margo’s potential suitors! Each incident brings laughter to the reader as Gerald prefers to spend time studying animal than man even though his methods are a trifle unconventional.
Gerald’s experiments with home-schooling are met with limited success as many of the tutors fall prey to an idyllic Mediterranean life. As Gerry continues his struggles with Maths and Geography, his tutor George manages to weave birds and animals into arithmetic problems that keeps his young pupil engrossed in its complexities as they swim leisurely in the warm sea. George ultimately sees the purpose of outdoor lessons as he seeks to entice Gerry to formal education, whose sole existence revolves around life outside. Gerald meets interesting characters on his journeys- a dumb rose-beetle-man from whom he learns to bargain Greek style. From him, he acquires Achilles, a tortoise with a penchant for strawberries and grapes. The finer aspects of how Roger accepts each pet that Gerry adds to his menagerie is so well written. With the addition of magpies to the expanding household, chaos truly reigns! Once the magpies learn how to fly, they map out each room with the intent of robberies. On one such raid, they manage to dismember Larry’s typewriter; splatter bird droppings on the keys, leaving behind red and green ink prints all across his manuscripts. To rub salt into his wounds, they raucously fly out over Larry’s head that has him furious!
The magic of Durrell’s writing humanises every species that he encounters as a young lad; as though putting words in their mouth with school boyish humour. Every anecdote describes a meaningful relationship that Gerry develops with creatures around him incidentally sowing the seed for his career as a naturalist in his adult years. It isn’t just humour and funny moments, but also about developing a serious respect for the world that we humans share with animals. It is about live and let live. This book is also about finding a mentor who truly shares your passion, encourages you, drives you and keeps you on course so that you eventually achieve your vision. It essentially talks about sharing a beautiful relationship with your siblings; accepting their craziness yet striking out your path however different it may be. It is an exciting time filled with mad capers that leave you tickled with mirth together with owls, bats and one travelling circus! The televised series released in 2005 highlights this journey amazingly well.
Rashmi Joshi
Visiting Faculty, Eltis