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CFU

Mrs. Durrell, do you think the island was faithful to the book, and the one-off
of Corfu acted as a catalyst to Gerald show captured the essence of the Durrell
Durrell’s life, professional inclination family. The present series well portrays
and passion for nature? the spirit and place of Corfu in the 1930s
Without doubt Corfu was vital to and explores in an amusing way how the
Gerald Durrell’s passion for nature family characters develop over time.
and his development as a writer and Describe us the first time you visited
conservationist. Gerry discovered his the ‘White House’, your husband’s
affinity for the natural world when he family country home on the island.
was just a toddler in India, but he always I first visited Corfu in 1983 when we
said that moving to Corfu was like were making a television series called
Dorothy stepping from the black and The Amateur Naturalist. The first
white world of Kansas into the colourful episode was to be in Corfu, and we
world of Oz. were lucky to be allowed to film at the
What was his fondest memory of the villa in Cressida, which was the third
island as a child? and last villa rented by the Durrell
It is hard to know what was his fondest family in the 1930s. Gerry called it the
memory, but certainly among them ‘Snow White Villa’. It was a charming
would be his friendships with the property, but had been allowed to
Corfiot people, whom he adored. deteriorate somewhat. Even so, I could
Did he have the chance to visit again as easily imagine the life led by the Durrell
a grown-up? family there nearly fifty years previously
He visited Corfu several times, first – the parties, the sumptuous meals, the
in 1950 and last in 1986. Although he singing and laughter. Gerry showed
bemoaned the rampant development me the places where as a boy he found
caused by the explosion in tourism, he various animals, such as tortoises, lizards
always wanted to return. and brightly coloured insects – and their
How did Corfu reveal itself to you descendants were still there, which we
through your husband’s eyes? filmed for the series!
When I read Gerald Durrell’s books How many times have you been
about Corfu many years before I actually to Corfu? Would you choose it as a Gerald’s
visited the island, I was enchanted. His permanent residence?
‘word pictures’ are what struck me I have been to Corfu at least a dozen
– the beauty of the landscapes from times and would dearly love to own a “word
olive grove to sea shores, the warmth house and a few “strema” there.
of the people from peasant to poet, What are your favourite places on the
the simplicity of hilltop villages to the island? pictures”
extraordinary architecture of Corfu There are many, but I am particularly
Town – and I was no less enchanted fascinated by the inland hilly areas, with
when I first arrived. winding roads and hidden olive groves, reflect
How did you feel watching the TV such as on the way to and around Old
series and film? Was it a faithful screen Perithia. I love Erimitis, the wild and
adaptation? beautiful headland on the northeast the aura
There have been two television series coast, with its huge diversity of animal
and one special television programme and plant life, and Ι am distressed of
based on Gerry’s three books about that it is threatened by tourism and
Corfu: My Family and Other Animals, housing developments. I have not really
Birds, Beasts and Relatives and The explored the south, but hope to do so
Garden of the Gods. I liked all of them, in upcoming trips. And of course I love
but for different reasons. The first series Corfu Town with its fabulous buildings,

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