The Durrells

I really enjoyed the book years ago and remember laughing out loud at parts of it. Enjoyed the first two episodes so far and surprisingly so does my husband who wasn't keen on the idea of it - look forward to seeing the rest of it.

Certainly no tragedy in the books. I laughed myself sick over the first one when I was about 12. I particularly liked the swearing which has mainly been cut in this version. The children were awful in the books as well and were always berating their poor mother for letting them grow up to be so selfish. The mother seems too young, in the 30s she would have been settling comfortably into middle age. I'm a bit dubious about the animals, in the first episode Gerry seemed to have a cage full of russian hamsters. I hope they realise that big fans of his books will want the animals to be right.

Haven't read the books so taking the series at face value, enjoying it and much to my surprise DH enjoys it as well. Nice to have something undemanding we can both watch.

I thought the first episode was excellent. Loved the title sequence and the acting was very good, I thought. The books were more about Gerald and his animals but that would probably have been too boring for TV. I like how they've done it. I've been to the Gerald Durrell Zoo on Jersey, lovely place. I don't expect they call it a zoo nowadays, it's probably a conservation centre or something.

We did this book at the last secondary school I went to and I loved it. When I was young I really wanted to go to Corfu and see all the animals there, but I never did. I expect it's not so unspoiled now.

We used to take turns to read the book out loud in class and our English teacher (a very sweet older umarried lady) had gone through all the books and put a line through any risque exchanges of dialogue.

Love the title sequence and enjoyed episode 2. So far have failed to find episode 1 but will look for the ITV hub now! Thank you, NanKate!

The thing that is confusing Elrel is that you have to click on the latest episode and then beneath you should see 'other episodes available' and that is where you select the one you want.

Yes the drawings on the title sequence are fab. They look like old style railway adverts for the seaside.

Isn't catch up great ?

No me neither! We did it for O level about a hundred years ago!!

I didn't mean the book was tragic, I think Gerald Durrell left out the saddest parts of their lives.

I did My Family & Other Animals for O level, it's bringing back so many ,memories & I don;t know why the kids remind me of my own

Weird seeing Keely Hawes morphing from Lindsay Denton to Mrs Durrell! One heck of an actress.

Don't read this if you haven't seen the last of the current series.

I was so sad when the wedding didn't go ahead I liked Sven.

If I had known how different it would be from the books I wouldn't have watched. But I did watch and I loved it as a series in its own right and I'm so glad they are going to do more.

Think I might have a bit of a thing for Larry

Oh me too Deedaa He's totally gorgeous.

I worked it out that Sven was gay three episodes ago when you saw the male nude paintings on his wall for the first time. Also a couple of comments he made.

This series has been a delight and I can't wait for the next one.

I struggle with the ITV hub as well. I think Keely Hawes is really maturing as an actress.

What a disappointment - I'd have married Sven just to be able to look at him every day! I was quite upset when she cut the bellows on his accordion......

I didn't realise Sven was gay - came as a complete surprise to me! Yes, Larry is lovely, isn't he? Love his floppy hair. I thought the last episode was excellent, especially the ending where they had the reception without the wedding - and Sven even turned up to play his accordion. I always thought she should marry Spiro and perhaps she will in the next series. Marrying a goatherd, even a good looking goatherd, was never going to be a good idea.

Feeling a bit lost this evening with no Durrells to look forward to. I really enjoyed the series - just right for a Sunday evening.

Enjoyed the series too. Ideal Sun. pm to. As said very different from the books. The animals came across as stronger characters in the books. DH was idly googling about Gerald's zoo etc and noticed that on his official website it stated he had only two siblings 1 brother and 1 sister. Carried on researching. Lesley did exist but none of the family attended his funeral. How sad! I wonder if it was intentional. Does anyone know what cared the split? I know I am just being nosey!

Bit of info here but it still doesn't explain why no one attended his funeral.

whitemetropolis.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/whatever-happened-to-leslie/

Thank you, Tanith. Still a mystery then.