Retro Reads discussion

When I came to look at dividing this book up for our read, I was in a bit of a quandary. It is only around 190 pages & 6 chapters long!

Since it is non fiction I thought I wouldn't have a spoilers thread, but please use spoiler tags if you think a first time reader would rather be surprised.

Clear as mud? :D

This is my first read of this title, but I read My Family and Other Animals many years ago.

This is my cover.

I'm looking forward to this read!

I’m reading the Open Roads ebook on Scribd. This is my first read, and my cover looks like this: .

I've had my library copy for a week or two.


This will be a first read for me.

I have the library digital copy. Kinda glad it’s short tho. Bc I am way...way! Over committed this month.
Happy 😃 Valentine’s Day!

Have the book, but I might be a couple of days late. I read My Family and Other Animals and loved it.

First chapter very short - more an introduction really.

I've only managed the epigraph and the intro/prologue and I am totally charmed!
I should be able to dig in later today.

About 1/3rd of the way through 'The Birthday Party'. Let's just say that if this is supposed to be funny, I am not amused. Larry--what can I say?

Barb in Maryland wrote: "About 1/3rd of the way through 'The Birthday Party'. Let's just say that if this is supposed to be funny, I am not amused. Larry--what can I say?"
I'm on my phone, but yes - really dislike Larry.
Chapter 3 the terrapins story was charming though

I agree - Larry is a jerk, I didn’t like him in the tv program either. I guess because he’s oldest, he seems to feel he can disregard his mother’s wishes. I found the mother/son dynamic weird in the show, as well.

I hate his writing too! Never understood why he was so famous.

Ok, finished chapter 2 - there was some humor, and the impromptu magic show for the villagers was fun, but Larry really is insufferable...the scenery and food descriptions are wonderful, and the family clearly has a great love and respect for the Greeks.

Yes, there was the whole Mom thing--but some of Larry's casual remarks were awful (view spoiler)[so misogynistic and vile (the 'rape all the girls on Corfu' had my jaw dropping) (hide spoiler)]. Maybe he's supposed to be that way so we the readers can shake our heads and mutter 'oh, that's just Larry for you'.
I was also taken aback by the treatment of some of the others in the group. (view spoiler)[the almost vaudevillian rendering of Max's accent for one, Sven and the accordion for another--So not amusing at all (hide spoiler)].
Carol--glad to know the next story is good. I need a palate cleanser!

Yes, chapter 3 is charming - delightful characters! And very little Larry, so far...

Oh, the terrapin story (aka chapter 3) is so lovely and charming. What a delight!
(I'm going to try to ration myself to a story a day from here on out. Wonder how long that will last... )

Barb in Maryland wrote: "Oh, the terrapin story (aka chapter 3) is so lovely and charming. What a delight!
(I'm going to try to ration myself to a story a day from here on out. Wonder how long that will last... )"

Good plan!

Background info about both Larry & Gerald Durrell which I will put in spoiler tags. You may prefer to read after you finish the book. (view spoiler)[ Just a bit of a quirk with both both brothers which maybe shows that maybe family life wasn't quite as idyllic as their accounts make it sound. Larry was already on his first marriage to Nancy & apparently most of the time in Corfu they lived separately from the rest of the clan. Gerald never mentions Nancy in any of his works. Likewise Larry never mentions their brother Leslie in any of his writings. (hide spoiler)]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Background info about both Larry & Gerald Durrell which I will put in spoiler tags. You may prefer to read after you finish the book. [spoilers removed]"

Thank you, makes sense.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Background info about both Larry & Gerald Durrell which I will put in spoiler tags. You may prefer to read after you finish the book. [spoilers removed]"

Not too surprising re: Gerald's writing (view spoiler)[ Nancy was the first of Larry's 4 wives! (m 1935-div 1947)--easy enough to edit her out, I guess. (hide spoiler)]

This is quite a mixed bag. The terrapin story was the best of the three and, yes, Larry is insufferable.

I've only just got started and am reading this copy Fillets of Plaice the original hardcover published in 1971. It seems to be formatted a little differently as chapter 1 is The Birthday Party (p. 3-51), and chapter 2 A transport of Terrapins starting page 52.

I read chapter 1 last night which made me remember he did scenic description and setting well. I was sure I recalled he wrote more humour, but, while there was some amusing bits, I think Mactavish's magic show was a hoot!
Larry is an obnoxious prat.

Lesley wrote: "I've only just got started and am reading this copy Fillets of Plaice the original hardcover published in 1971. It seems to be formatted a little differently as chapter 1 is The Birt..."

Yes, I think obnoxious prat sums Larry up perfectly.

Well, guess what was waiting at the library for me that I thought was unavailable? I'll be reading it quickly and joining in.

Good, I’ll be interested to hear which stories you like!

I started it, and I'm loving his style. I had to either quit or go hide outside in order to continue, though, and although the sun is brilliant, it is shining on two feet of frozen snow. I'll continue later!

I read a number if
durrell's book years ago but most of them dealt with his animal collecting and the establishment of his private zoo. They were wonderful stories and a lot of fun to read. I did read the first of the Corfu books and didn't realize there were more. It looks as though I didn't miss out on much.

Jacquie wrote: "I read a number if
durrell's book years ago but most of them dealt with his animal collecting and the establishment of his private zoo. They were wonderful stories and a lot of fun to read. I did ..."

I actually really liked it and found the stories very funny - probably not strictly true (definitely not clinically written), but great character sketches.

I started this last night, such a treat. The first story could be right out of the series, chaos & Larry et al. As a mother, I take less guff from my kids & I just want her to act like she had a backbone, but I had parents who raised me to believe I could do things in the world, siblings who toughened me up, and life as a Naval officer which required a backbone everyday, so I see things very differently. It is a piece reflective of many attitudes which we find appalling today, but I did find some of it amusing. Larry would be knee deep in harassment suits these days.

The second story was charming & endearing. I always liked the little hidden shops of London, the secret neighborhoods. Gerald was in his element. I am over halfway done, am trying to slow down, first thing that has made me feel better since my Rugby died coming up on 3 weeks. February felt so long and sad. He was a great dog.

Kim wrote: "I started this last night, such a treat. The first story could be right out of the series, chaos & Larry et al. As a mother, I take less guff from my kids & I just want her to act like she had a ba..."

I was struck by Gerald's tactfullness in dealing with the adults in the London story; it's not a common attribute of 15 year old boys! He probably had a lot of training from his siblings...😁

Kim wrote: "I started this last night, such a treat. The first story could be right out of the series, chaos & Larry et al. As a mother, I take less guff from my kids & I just want her to act like she had a ba..."

Give it time, be patient and good to yourself, you don’t get over losing an old, dear friend in a moment. Glad you’re enjoying this book, great comments! Agree about Larry...but yes, the first story had a lot of the almost slapstick humor I’ve seen in the PBS dramatization Durrells in Corfu!

Karlyne wrote: "Kim wrote: "I started this last night, such a treat. The first story could be right out of the series, chaos & Larry et al. As a mother, I take less guff from my kids & I just want her to act like ..."

Good point! I feel Gerald’s innate goodness and warmth comes through- definitely unusual for a 15 yo boy, I think his rather freewheeling upbringing does account for his maturity.

Karlyne wrote: "Jacquie wrote: "I read a number if
durrell's book years ago but most of them dealt with his animal collecting and the establishment of his private zoo. They were wonderful stories and a lot of fun..."

Me, too, I thought the stories were fun - didn’t take them too seriously, but I feel for the mother, having two adult (almost adult?) sons underfoot while trying to raise two younger children. Definitely undermines your authority!