A Zoo in My Luggage is the colourful, first-hand account of Gerald Durrell’s six-month animal-collecting trip in British Cameroon, and his attempts to create his own zoo. Motivated by a passion for wildlife, and a desire to save endangered species from extinction, Durrell assembles a glorious panoply of exotic animals – including a female baboon called Georgina, who later runs amok in a department store; a black-eared squirrel, who tries to bury nuts in his ear; and a gentlemanly chimpanzee named Chumly, who greets him with an outstretched hand. Aided by the Fon of Bafut, who houses the collection (and hosts many long and lively parties), Durrell amasses more than 250 animals. He struggles to find a home for the animals back in England, until a stroke of luck leads him to Jersey, and the eventual founding of Durrell Wildlife Park (now Jersey Zoo).
Arvosteluja kirjoittavat vain ne, joilla on aktiivinen tilaus ja jotka ovat arvioineet kirjan.
If you need a light, whimsical escape, A Zoo in My Luggage might be just what you're looking for. Gerald Durrell's charming tales of his animal-collecting adventures in Africa are as much about the quirky human characters as they are about the creatures he so lovingly describes. His knack for storytelling shines through, but it's not exactly a page-turner. It feels like you're listening to a delightful yet meandering conversation with an eccentric uncle at a family gathering—amusing but not edge-of-your-seat stuff.
Durrell's passion for animals is clear, and his anecdotes are fun, but the book doesn't quite pack the punch you might expect from a wildlife adventure. Still, this is a solid choice if you're after a breezy read with a bit of nature thrown in. Just don't expect to be glued to every page.
It's ideal for animal lovers or anyone needing something light between heftier reads.
