It is positively mind-boggling that there are so many negative reviews of this delightful adaptation of Durrell's equally delightful books (just finishing up the trilogy), and that so many of them come from Australian viewers.
Yes, the adapters took liberties with Durrell's books. For instance, Sven, who plays such an integral part in the 1st series, is homosexual, but he doesn't live on Corfu in BIRDS, BEASTS, AND RELATIVES. He's one of Larry's many eccentric friends who come to stay briefly, his story over in about 5-6 pages. Gerry describes him as bald and ugly, and Louise certainly never had a relationship with him.
But what really puzzles me is the hostile attitude of so many reviewers toward the Durrell siblings. Leslie, Margo and Larry were all young men and women by the time they arrived on Corfu with their mother, so why anyone should be surprised they were often less than thrilled (even Larry, who seldom has a kind word for his English homeland) to leave their old lives behind for a new life in a foreign land is beyond me. I experienced it a couple of times growing up, and it takes some getting used to. They're young and going through a period of adjustment. Their bouts of moodiness and often bratty behavior come with the territory.
In any case, that's the way they comported themselves in the books. Larry was a bit of a libertine, Leslie an angry young man who still missed his late father, Margo boy-crazy and a bit dim, and Gerry obsessed with his nature studies.
The series isn't completely faithful to its source material, but so what? It captures the spirit of Durrell's books just fine. Hating it for not adhering faithfully to them is just silly.
Yes, the adapters took liberties with Durrell's books. For instance, Sven, who plays such an integral part in the 1st series, is homosexual, but he doesn't live on Corfu in BIRDS, BEASTS, AND RELATIVES. He's one of Larry's many eccentric friends who come to stay briefly, his story over in about 5-6 pages. Gerry describes him as bald and ugly, and Louise certainly never had a relationship with him.
But what really puzzles me is the hostile attitude of so many reviewers toward the Durrell siblings. Leslie, Margo and Larry were all young men and women by the time they arrived on Corfu with their mother, so why anyone should be surprised they were often less than thrilled (even Larry, who seldom has a kind word for his English homeland) to leave their old lives behind for a new life in a foreign land is beyond me. I experienced it a couple of times growing up, and it takes some getting used to. They're young and going through a period of adjustment. Their bouts of moodiness and often bratty behavior come with the territory.
In any case, that's the way they comported themselves in the books. Larry was a bit of a libertine, Leslie an angry young man who still missed his late father, Margo boy-crazy and a bit dim, and Gerry obsessed with his nature studies.
The series isn't completely faithful to its source material, but so what? It captures the spirit of Durrell's books just fine. Hating it for not adhering faithfully to them is just silly.