Publisher's 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.
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.
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.
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.
Used availability for Gerald Durrell's Marrying Off Mother
See all available used copies of this book at: Abebooks UK or Abebooks US
Hardback Editions
December 1993 : Hardback
| Title: Marrying Off Mother and Other Stories (Windsor Selections) Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 0-7451-7615-1 / 978-0-7451-7615-4 (UK edition) Publisher: Chivers Large print (Chivers, Windsor, Paragon & C Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
April 1992 : Hardback
| Title: Marrying Off Mother and Other Stories Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 1-55970-180-3 / 9781559701808 (USA edition) Publisher: Arcade Pub Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
July 1991 : Hardback
| Title: Marrying Off Mother and Other Stories Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 0-00-223808-X / 978-0-00-223808-3 (UK edition) Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
Paperback Editions
February 2012 : Paperback
| Title: Marrying Off Mother and Other Stories (Bello) Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 1-4472-1454-4 / 978-1-4472-1454-0 Publisher: Bello Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
September 2009 : Paperback
| Title: "Marrying off Mother" and Other Stories Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 0-00-637815-3 / 978-0-00-637815-0 Publisher: Fontana Press Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
August 1994 : Paperback
| Title: Marrying Off Mother and Other Stories (Paragon Softcover Large Print Books) Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 0-7451-3501-3 / 978-0-7451-3501-4 (UK edition) Publisher: Chivers Large print (Chivers, Windsor, Paragon & C Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
May 1993 : Paperback
| Title: Marrying Off Mother: And Other Stories Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 1-55970-213-3 / 9781559702133 (USA edition) Publisher: Arcade Publishing Availability: Amazon Amazon UK Amazon CA More details... |
July 1992 : Paperback
| Title: Marrying Off Mother Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 0-00-637816-1 / 978-0-00-637816-7 (UK edition) Publisher: Fontana Press Availability: Amazon Amazon UK More details... |
Audio Editions
March 1993 : Audio Cassette
| Title: Marrying Off Mother and Other Stories: Complete & Unabridged Author(s): Gerald Durrell ISBN: 0-7451-4123-4 / 978-0-7451-4123-7 (UK edition) Publisher: Chivers Audio Books Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
Other Editions
February 2012 : Kindle edition
| Title: Marrying Off Mother Author(s): Gerald Durrell Publisher: Arcade Publishing Availability: Amazon More details... |
February 2012 : Kindle edition
| Title: Marrying Off Mother and Other Stories (Bello) Author(s): Gerald Durrell Publisher: Bello Availability: Amazon UK More details... |
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