The Garden of the Gods

            “The Garden of the Gods” is the third book in the Corfu Trilogy that describes the life of Durrell’s family on the Greek island of Corfu. Author of this book is Gerald Durrell, who was British naturalist, zookeeper, conservationist, author and television presenter. He is also author of the following books: “Corfu trilogy: My family and other animals, Birds, Beasts and Relatives, The Garden of the Gods”; “The Mockery Birds”, “The Amateur Naturalist”, “The New Noah”, “The Zoo in my Luggage”, “The Whispering Land” and many others.

            “The Garden of the Gods” as well as other two books of “Corfu Trilogy” is autobiographical book about period during which author’s family was living at Corfu. Family was living there between 1935 and 1939, and author as called by family “Gerry” was only 10 years old when they came to Corfu. Gerry immediately fell in love with Corfu’s nature and wild life and spent majority of his time observing, collecting and protecting different animal species. As a consequence of this determination, Durrell’s house is full of different animals: snakes, scorpions, tortoises, different birds such as owl, magpie, jackdaw, sparrow-hawk, merlin, kestrel etc. Gerry finds place for every animal in his bedroom and studio and he spends his pocket money on feeding the animals. Everyday Gerry wakes up early and with his three dogs and donkey he goes on his mission of studying the animals on the island. He also has a little boat, which he uses when he wants to explore sea world. Every new animal in house causes some funny event that includes rest of the family. 

            “The Garden of the Gods” is organised in eight stories all having for the main characters some member of Durrell’s family. Also, family often has some guest, which also leads to some funny events. As other three book of the Corfu Trilogy, “The Garden of the Gods” is written in very humorous and interesting way with great characters and funny events making it hard to put this book down. 

            I recommend this book to everyone; it shows how child’s passion and determination led Gerald Durrell to grow up in successful zoologist, who transformed the modern zoo. Thanks to him, zoo is not anymore place for collecting animals so visitor can admire them, but zoo is the place for protecting animals especially critically endangered species. He also introduced the idea of captive breeding that saved many endangered animals such as Mauritius pink pigeon and Mallorcan midwife toad. Gerald Durrell’s childhood as well as whole life are inspiring, and the Corfu Trilogy is the great start to dive into the world of Gerald Durrell. 

            The most often cited quote by Gerald Durrell shows how life and nature are more beautiful with animals around us and it can sum up his life’s mission in few sentences. Here is the quote:

            “We hope that there will be fireflies and flow-worms at night to guide you and butterflies in hedges and forests to greet you.

            We hope that your dawns will have an orchestra of bird song and that the sound of their wings and the opalescence of their colouring will dazzle you.

            We hope that there will still be the extraordinary varieties of creatures sharing the land of the planet with you to enchant you and enrich your lives as they have done for us.

            We hope that you will be grateful for having been born into such a magical world”.