The Drunken Forest

The Drunken Forest documents Gerald Durrell's 1954 expedition to collect animals in South America, accompanied by his wife Jacquie. The narrative follows their six-month journey through Argentina and Paraguay as they gather specimens for zoos and wildlife collections. During their travels, the Durrells encounter an array of local characters, set up camp in remote locations, and interact with both domestic and wild animals. The book details their methods of animal collection and the challenges of caring for captured specimens in makeshift conditions. The text presents factual observations about South American wildlife and habitats, while incorporating Durrell's trademark humor and storytelling ability. Native customs, geography, and environmental conditions feature prominently in the account. This work stands as both a travel narrative and a record of mid-20th century wildlife collection practices, offering insights into the relationship between humans and animals in scientific pursuit.

Readers describe The Drunken Forest as a humorous account of Durrell's wildlife collecting expedition in Argentina. The book maintains a lighthearted tone while detailing animal encounters and local characters. Readers appreciate: - The vivid descriptions of animals and their personalities - Durrell's self-deprecating humor - The blend of travel writing and natural history - Interactions with his wife Jacquie Common criticisms: - Less cohesive narrative than other Durrell books - Some dated attitudes toward local people - Too much focus on domestic squabbles Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (891 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (42 ratings) Reader quotes: "His descriptions of the animals make you feel like you're right there with them" - Goodreads reviewer "Not his best work, but still entertaining" - Amazon reviewer "The coatimundi chapters alone are worth reading the book for" - LibraryThing reviewer

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell A naturalist's memoir of childhood in Corfu captures the same blend of wildlife observation and family dynamics that characterizes The Drunken Forest.

One River by Wade Davis This expedition narrative through the Amazon follows a botanist's journey collecting specimens, mirroring Durrell's scientific collection mission in South America.

The Old Patagonian Express by Paul Theroux The detailed observations of South American landscapes and people provide similar insights into mid-century travel through Argentina and neighboring regions.

A Naturalist's Journey Through Southeast Asia by Alfred Russel Wallace The account documents wildlife collection expeditions and specimen gathering in remote locations, reflecting parallel experiences to Durrell's work.

Zoo Quest to Guiana by David Attenborough The documentation of animal collecting in South America for the BBC and London Zoo presents comparable experiences in wildlife acquisition and observation.

🦜 Gerald Durrell founded the Jersey Zoo (now Durrell Wildlife Park) in 1959 using animals collected during expeditions like the one described in "The Drunken Forest." 🌿 The book's unusual title refers to a specific type of forest in Paraguay where the trees appear to be "drunk" due to their twisted, leaning shapes. 🇵🇾 The expedition documented in the book helped establish important early conservation efforts in Paraguay, where many species were facing threats from habitat loss. 👫 This was one of the few expeditions where Durrell was accompanied by his wife Jacquie, who later illustrated several of his books and became an accomplished wildlife photographer. 🎬 The success of Durrell's writing career, including "The Drunken Forest," helped fund his conservation work and inspired the popular TV series "The Durrells," based on his family's life in Corfu.