Reviews

The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell

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jlewis's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.5

An endearing autobiographical account of how a man rescued an oil-damaged penguin which then refused to leave him. Set in Argentina in the 1970s. It is simply but effectively written, with some well-described accounts of South American natural history and reflections on the social history of a messed-up country in economic meltdown and with communities largely untouched by modernity. But it is the penguin, Juan Salvador, that makes the book. In his attitude of sheer joy when meeting humans and his unconditional acceptance of all who make his acquaintance, he has something to say about the human condition.

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bunnybookslife's review against another edition

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funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

Quick, cozy, cute, wholesome book about a man who befriends a penguin. Lovely. <3

kerryp's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

patchworkbunny's review against another edition

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4.0

The Penguin Lessons is a mix of memoir and travel writing, with an adorable penguin at the centre. I was struck by the apparent intelligence of Juan Salvador. When Tom first rescues the penguin, he struggles as you would expect a wild animal to. Yet as soon as Tom starts cleaning the oil off his feathers, he settles down and overs his wings as if helping. It’s like he was aware of what Tom was doing. And the rest of the book has plenty more examples of this potential awareness, even if Tom himself admits to anthropomorphising him at times.

If you’re expecting a book just filled with cute penguin anecdotes, you may be disappointed. However I enjoyed the travel writing aspects as well. Set during the 1970s in Argentina, Tom is working at a private school where he lives with Juan Salvador. In this time, there is a lot of political upheaval in the country and his time there touches a little on it. It was also fascinating to read about the hyperinflation. When he first arrived he was given money and told to spend it all at once on things to trade as the money could become worthless overnight.

Tom also spends some time travelling around South America, which was how he first came across Juan Salvador in Uruguay. He details some time spent living with gauchos, Argentine cowboys, and a trip down to a penguin colony. He also learns how it’s best not to mention the Falklands if you’re English…

The book contains cute illustrations by Neil Baker between chapters. In the absense of any remaining photographic evidence, I like to think they capture the penguin's personality.

I learnt a little about penguins that I didn’t know, but probably more about Argentina. Overall it’s a charming little book, even if Tom does come across as a certain generation of posh, Englishman now and then. Yet he did seem to show genuine affection towards the cleaning staff and some of the less fortunate boys at the school.