Gerald Durrell’s Corfu: Family, Animals, and Nature
Book Review: “My Family and Other Animals”
“My Family and Other Animals” is an autobiographical work written by naturalist Gerald Durrell. First published in 1956, it is a light-hearted and humorous account of the author’s childhood years on the picturesque Greek island of Corfu. The story begins in 1935 when Gerald arrives, at the age of ten, on the island of Corfu along with his somewhat eccentric family. It describes his relationship with his tolerant mother; his brother Larry, who goes on to become a very famous writer; his brother Lesley, who is crazy about guns; and his sister Margo, who is preoccupied with her looks. Several other local characters like Spiro, the taxi driver who befriends them, and Dr. Theodore Stephanides, a scientist who greatly influences Gerald and encourages his interest in the flora and fauna of the island, also feature prominently in the book.
The book takes the reader on Gerald’s adventures exploring the island, during which he discovers a treasure trove of animal life. He often brings home animals and insects that he finds on his expeditions, which aren’t always met with a warm welcome by the rest of the family. This habit of his gives rise to several amusing situations. On one occasion, he puts a scorpion with her babies in a matchbox and places it on the mantelpiece. His brother, Larry, opens the matchbox to light a cigarette, and it’s easy to imagine what follows!
“My Family and Other Animals” is not just a collection of funny anecdotes; it is a study on family relationships, sketching how five very different people coexist, interact, and develop. However, the central theme throughout the book is the relationship between humans and animals. It is a book that pioneered ecological awareness long before such issues became fashionable. Through Durrell’s perceptive observations of animals and nature and his comic accounts of events, the reader becomes aware of and sensitive to the need to respect and protect animal life.
“My Family and Other Animals” is a book that makes an everlasting impression by successfully combining humor, zoology, and human relationships. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who is looking for something fun yet meaningful to read.
An Informal Letter
Dear Jennifer, It was great to hear from you! I’ve been meaning to write back sooner, but I have been very stressed. If I were you, I would definitely accept the offer. It was a great experience for me, and I suppose you are bound to enjoy it as well… My course is very challenging, and it’s been tough adjusting to managing my time. It was especially stressful during the exam period in January, but all the tutors are very approachable and easy to get on with and have been very supportive. Why don’t you try to come to an Open Day? That way, you’ll meet some of the tutors and other students, and you’ll also be able to see what Manchester is like as a place. I hope I’ve been of some help to you in making your decision. Don’t think twice about asking me anything else you want to know. Please, do contact me. Love, Paula
- I’m keen on watersports, so I am hoping to do some sailing while I’m there, too.
- Take advantage of this opportunity to…
- One tip I can give you is…
Letter of Complaint
To: [Manager’s Name/Customer Service] From: Paula Cantón Subject: Complaint Regarding Defective Tablet
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the quality of the tablet I received this week. According to the information on your website, the item, which was described as being “cool,” with a dual-core processor and a long-lasting battery, is unfortunately a piece of junk. The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is the processor. It does not function properly, despite the fact that I have formatted it once. Not only do I have a useless tablet case, but also the tablet screen protection is broken. In addition to this, the long-lasting battery is also unacceptable, as it dies after only a few hours.
Might I suggest that, as the manager, it would be advisable for you to change the information given on your website because it is totally inaccurate and misleading? Although I realize that your company is one of the best-known services to buy technological devices online, I nevertheless feel that the advertising campaign should be more effective. I would recommend, therefore, that you give this matter urgent attention.
Regarding delivery, I would suggest that you speak to the carriers in order for them to be careful with the transported items. I am extremely disappointed by this incident, and in the circumstances, I demand a written apology. I would also be grateful if my money is refunded, or I will be forced to take legal action. I look forward to hearing your views on this matter. In the meantime, I hope you will take my comments into consideration.
Yours sincerely, Paula Cantón
Tips for Writing:
- It is common knowledge that in modern societies, many people are better equipped to cope with…
- Due to the fact that…
- I would rather…to…
- Not only do I finish the housework, but I also go shopping…
- To seek advice from…
- People live beyond their means.
- Human-made activity puts a threat on the nature, consuming natural resources.
- Hooked on (addicted to)
- To be on the home stretch (to be about to achieve something).
- To be as happy as a flea in a dog’s house.
- Up-to-date (updated)
- Swap (exchange)
- Haggling (bargaining)
- To be loaded (wealthy people).
- Spill the beans (nosy).
- The more you study, the better you will do in the test.
- Nowadays, people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
- In a world where jobs are few and far between, imagination and drive are what count towards success.
- Possibly the most significant factor is the current economic climate, which has put a strain on employment. Record numbers of people are being made redundant as both the commercial and public sectors struggle to survive in the recession.
A Letter to the Editor
Dear Sir/Madam, As a concerned member of society, I would like to express my opinion with regard to the article in your newspaper about seal hunting. I firmly believe that seal hunting is unethical and cruel and that it should be banned altogether.
To begin with, the methods used to kill seals are inhumane and cause pain and suffering to the animals. Hunters may claim that clubbing is a traditional method for killing seals and does not necessarily result in needless torment to the animal. However, video footage showing what actually takes place is proof that their claims are groundless. In fact, after being clubbed, many seals are still alive during the skinning process. Inflicting this sort of torture on any living creature is completely unjustifiable.
Furthermore, I would like to point out that seal hunting is dependent on the demand for seal products, which are mainly fur and other types of clothing, footwear, and cosmetics. In my opinion, seal products are by no means a necessity. In our day and age, we are fortunate enough to have access to other man-made materials and substances that can effectively replace animal fur and fat. It is unethical to slaughter thousands of these animals for the sole purpose of satisfying our vanity.
In conclusion, seal hunting is a barbaric practice that results in the senseless killing of thousands of animals every year. The way I see it, the only way to stop this tragedy is for governments to take radical action and ban the hunting of seals.
Yours faithfully, [Signature] Paula Cantón
Forest Fires
Deforestation should be stopped because it causes the extinction of species, changes in climate conditions, desertification, and indigenous population displacements. (Illegal poaching, global warming.) (Recycle, reduce, reuse) (Charities: Greenpeace) Destruction of habitats should be more strictly controlled. Dumping of waste products is also leading to the destruction of habitats. …. is threatened due to habitat loss, which occurs due to farming and logging, as well as poaching. Humans need to be aware of… Exploiting animals for the production of luxury items is totally unacceptable.
Letter of Application: Personal Statement
I am applying for this course because, although I feel I have a good level of…, I need to improve my…skills. I am interested in learning….
I worked with primary children as a classroom assistant in my final year of school. As well as providing practical experience in a primary school, this opportunity also allowed me to develop skills in communication.
Success in my school studies and extra work experience in … for four hours every day in my summer holidays, has given me the experience I need to approach a degree course in…with confidence and enthusiasm.
In my summer holidays, I had a part-time job as a customer service assistant in Pizzamovil. This provided me with an opportunity to work as a team, cooperating with others and, at the same time, learning to be independent. Often, I have been able to work on my own initiative, which I have enjoyed immensely as it has allowed me to use my own ideas and thoughts.
In my spare time, I enjoy socializing and meeting new people. My greatest love is traveling and experiencing foreign cultures. So, I have gained useful cross-curricular skills, and I am an honest, reliable, and friendly person. While I am attending the course, I would also like to take the opportunity to soak up the rich cultural life of a great city. Furthermore, my experiences during studies have enabled me to be independent, organized, and self-disciplined, which should prove invaluable preparation for life at university.
I consider myself an enthusiastic and conscientious student who will benefit from – and participate actively in – the classes. If my application is successful, I aim to seize the opportunity to take an active part in a variety of academic, cultural, and social activities during my university life.
Opinion Essay: Fast Food
Junk food is said to be gaining popularity in our modern world. It becomes an outlet for those who are in a rush because of their busy lives. In my view, it is a way of satisfying hunger, but I think the dangers of consuming this kind of nutrition outweigh the advantages. I am convinced that there is at least one alternative to eating fast, tasty, and healthy food.
First of all, fast food does not satisfy nutritional needs, and consumers can also suffer from health diseases. Junk food is made from a lot of highly saturated fats and calories. So, if those are not worked off, then you can become obese. Moreover, bad eating habits may take their toll on your heart. This is due to the fact that when you eat all the sugars and salts, your heart may grow weak, which will endanger your life.
On the other side of the coin, a feasible alternative perspective must be found. For example, might I suggest that Mediterranean cuisine, with salads and organic produce, could be a good solution? In addition, you can also prepare meals ahead of time. When you are crunched for time, you only need to reheat them. Last but not least, you can prepare as many ingredients as possible in advance in order to freeze them. So, you will simply need to defrost them the previous day.
To sum up, I would like to say that everyone should think twice before deciding to eat fast food, even if it is easy to buy and cheap. The health risks outweigh the five minutes of satisfaction that fast food brings.
Paula Cantón