Do You like book A Zoo In My Luggage (2005)?
I was excited to read this book because I'm always excited to read anything having to do with zoos or animals that go in zoos, but it kind of disappointed me. It was interesting but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. The wording Durrell uses to describe his animals isn't always very flattering and sometimes I couldn't help but think he was only trying to acquire as many exotic species as possible. I'm sure there were good intentions behind everything he did but I think he could have expressed those intentions better in this book. I also felt like he was at times patronizing the native people with the way he talked about them. I understand that this was a different time and not necessarily what I'm used to today but it just didn't turn out to be the kind of book I thought it would. I wanted more animals and animal discussions! :)
—Kamisha
Натолкнулся на аудиокнигу, где были собраны отрывки из различных книг Джеральда Даррела.Это как раз тот случай, когда не надо делать никакой скидки на воспоминания детства.Книги великолепны.Книги Джеральда Даррела относятся к тому уникальному случаю, когда хороший специалист оказывается талантливым литератором.Чтение таких книг неизбежно приводит к тому, что хочется посвятить свою жизнь описываемой профессии, так увлекательно о ней рассказывается.Естественно, увлекательна любая профессия, когда ей занимаются творчески, даже склеивание коробок ;) И конечно же увлекательна она оказывается обычно не по тем причинам, что делают ее выглядящей привлекательно в художественной литературе.Но мы сейчас о книге, а не о профессии автора. Книга наполнена мягким юмором и человечностью. В ней море узкоспециальной информации о животных, которую при этом глотаешь, совершенно не затрудняясь ее объемом.И перевод на русский, автора которого к сожалению не сохранили в данных аудиокниги, также великолепен.
—Biblioworm
This is only the second Gerald Durrell book for me, and while I enjoyed it, I didn't find it as purely entertaining as My Family and Other Animals. Durrell means to write with humor and a measure of humility, but unwittingly comes off as patronizing and even arrogant in his approach both to the Cameroons and to the animals he has come to collect. This is most unfortunate because I don't believe this to be an accurate characterization of the man whose lifework led to the founding of the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. I expect to read more of Durrell's books in the future, and perhaps read a biographical account of his life if there's a good one out there. For those readers who have criticized the man, his intentions, and contributions, I wish they would take a closer look. Durrell was instrumental in transforming the mindset and fundamental organization and operation of "zoological gardens" (aka, "zoos"). He wasn't perfect, but he cared deeply about animals and their well-being, and he dedicated his life to their preservation, preferably in their own native, natural habitats.
—Tejas Janet