In 1935 widow Louisa Durrell pulls her bullied youngest son Gerry out of his Bournemouth school and, along with his siblings, would-be writer Larry and rebellious teenagers Margo and Leslie, moves him to Corfu, where Larry's friend Donald lives. Thanks to enterprising local taxi driver they are installed in a - fairly dilapidated - house and whilst the other children annoy the natives Gerry finds a fellow nature enthusiast in doctor Theo. Efforts by her offspring to match-make Louisa with salty ex-sailor Captain Creech are a disaster . On the other hand, she finds Theo perfectly charming. Written by don @ minifie-1

With the house falling apart, no help from the children and Margo besotted with Donald's friend Max Louisa is dependent on Spiros's local contacts and anxious to befriend another English woman, Florence Petridis, wife of the island's doctor though the two women get off to a bad start. However when Larry comes down with appendicitis Florence helps former medical student Theo and his Swedish friend, farmer Sven, to perform a - literal - text book operation. It is successful and Louisa is also pleased that Larry has earned the family some money by selling a story though Sven is offended when Louisa offers payment for his help. Written by don @ minifie-1

Louisa makes up with Sven but is perturbed when Gerald is befriended by Kosti, a convict on weekend release who shares his love of nature. However, once more helped by Spiros, she intervenes when Kosti is wrongly accused of stealing from widowed recluse Countess Mavrodaki. - which in turn leads to Margo going to work for the countess. Larry has further success as a writer but is less effective in stopping a love-lorn Leslie from getting arrested for brawling. Written by don @ minifie-1

After Leslie has antagonized a neighbouring turkey farmer Louisa throws him out and he moves in with local bad boys Fotis and Sotos, who take him with them on an armed burglary. Leslie is arrested and needs his mother's help to avoid jail. Unsure of her relationship with Sven Louisa agrees to go sailing with Captain Creech but the outing is a disaster and she is grateful that Sven is there to comfort her. Gerald turns his bedroom into a centre for scientific learning whilst Margo falls for Angel, the countess's young gardener. Written by don @ minifie-1

The family receives an unwelcome visitor in the form of domineering Aunt Hermione, along with cousins Prue and Geoffrey and she makes it clear that she disapproves of their life-style, demanding that they return to England with her. Louisa decides to show her the sights of the island to sway her but they end up seeing Leslie shooting and Margo kissing Angel. However Hermione's attitude ultimately forces Louisa to make a stand - though it almost ends in disaster. With Hermione gone Lawrence receives bad news but Sven offers Louisa a tempting proposal and Gerald meets a fellow conservationist. Written by don @ minifie-1

Louisa agrees to marry Sven in two weeks time but has reason to believe that he is gay and when challenged he admits it, claiming that he wants to prove himself with a woman and to take on a family. Louisa calls the wedding off but the Durrells still celebrate, as Larry has his novel published and Gerry considers releasing his animals into the wild, with even the reclusive countess turning up for the party. Written by don @ minifie-1