Marrying Off Mother: And Other Stories (Paperback)

by Gerald Durrell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Eight droll stories--linked only in that they may or may not have happened to Durrell--told with the cleverness and wit of an accomplished after-dinner raconteur.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
In these eight stories, which feature the author himself, naturalist Durrell contrasts human and animal behavior. The entire collection is prefaced by an epigram from Ambrose Bierce's Devil's Dictionary : "Bride--a woman with a fine prospect of happiness behind her." The reader soon finds the same prospect, for the epigram's minimal relevance indicates the problem: Durrell does not seem to know when he has made his point. The title story shows how the author's widowed mother cleverly stops her meddlesome children from trying to get her remarried. "Retirement" aims for profundity with the sudden death of a retiring sea captain but becomes silly. "The Jury," about a hangman in Paraguay haunted by his victims, has potential but grows tired and predictable. There are many wonderfully descriptive passages and images, but they ramble. A valiant effort drowned by purple prose. Not recommended.
-Kenneth Mintz, Hoboken P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 197 pages
• Publisher: Arcade Publishing (May 9, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559702133
• ISBN-13: 978-1559702133
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #116,951 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read on to see what four "concerned" children can do..., September 27, 1996

By A Customer

Another engaging, rambling account of Gerald Durrell's interesting,to say the least, childhood. The title story recounts the attempts made by the brood to marry off their mother for her "benefit", in their words. The chaos and tumult that follow must be read to be really appreciated. The other stories in the book describe in vivid detail some of the amazing incidents that happened during the family's stay on the beautiful island that is Corfu. Definitely worth spending many afternoons re-reading this book, with a cup of hot chocolate and cookies.You might think you were one of the many guests this family has had.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sightly Disappointing, March 9, 2000

By	"pure-swallow" (NZ) - See all my reviews

I had high hopes of being impressed, but the 8 stories fell short of the expectaions created by that fine novel 'My Family and Other Animals'.

Yes there are flashes of the Durell humour, but the quality of the writing is sometimes strained - especially apparant in 'Marrying Off Mother' where information about things and people ate given in terse little bites that do not have the charm of a more full-bodied development. Also some of the stories are too improbable for suspension of disbelief, ie. the story of the gambling nun. 'The Jury' is like something out of 'Tales of the Unexpected' or 'Tales from the Dark side', and bears some resemblence to Somerset Maugham's darker tales of Malaya. Also some of the world-weary author comes through in the stories, which means the wry and humourous 'voice' of ten year old Durell, created so beautifully in 'My Family and Other Animals' is merely imitated. The only place it fully succeeds is in Antoine's little speech in 'Marrying Off Mother' - which is worth reading the whole book for!

Perhaps I am being grossly unfair in expecting something like 'My Family and Other Animals' - each book and story should stand on its own. It is worth reading just to get a taste of what other things interested Durell. Some of the stories do not actually have animals in them!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing compared to "My Family and Other Animals", December 25, 2000

By	"jaybilly" (Wilmington, DE USA) - See all my reviews

I read this book hoping for another gem like "My Family and Other Animals". Unfortunately, I was disappointed.

Although "Marrying Off Mother" has much of the same wonderful timing & wit that's in other Durrell books, it seems to be missing their soul. This is a cynical book, and the timing & wit (that in earlier books shows Durrell's innonence and passion) conveys smugness and superiority in "Marrying off Mother". This attitude wears thin pretty quickly.

If you're interested in reading Durrell, I strongly recommend "My Family and Other Animals". But not this book.