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sopsyjo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
utopiaandmelancholy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This book was a delightful journey to another time and place (though it did make me cry at points!), through the eyes of a young man and the penguin he rescues. The interactions of people with the penguin range from adorable to relatable, and the narrative has a charming storybook-like quality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
meganpbell's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.5
This is a touching and, on the whole, charming memoir about a young Englishman in 1970s South America who rescues a penguin from death by oil pollution and ends up bringing him home, transforming life at the boarding school in Argentina where he teaches. Michell must be quite elderly by the time of writing, and some outdated views show quite cringily at times (including fatphobia), and there’s some editing/structural issues, but still a pleasant read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Alcohol, Violence, and Xenophobia
dorothygrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Xenophobia, Animal death, and Violence
aus10england's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
4.0
A great quick read! Heartwarming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
melissacushman's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
Adorable tale of a British school teacher in Argentina who saves a penguin in Uruguay then successfully smuggles the bird into Argentina even though he gets caught in customs! He raises at his boarding school where it is beloved by the boys and staff. Funny tales of the bird, and the authors travels in South America. Read perfectly by Bill Nighy. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
starshine1's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
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