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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing is just so on the nose. The diary entries feel written by an author, not a teenage girl, and as Victoria reflects on her past she gets more boring and predictable. I wanted to like it, I really did… but when she saw herself in a baby penguin without family or friends and vowed to take care of it, I couldn’t take it anymore.
A cute, sweet book about a curmudgeon learning to live again reminiscent of A Man Called Ove and Elinor Oliphant.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
One of the best books I’ve read in a long time — and of course, it’s not just about Veronica and/or penguins. It’s about how circumstances shape our lives, about the freedom to choose, about the courage to open up — and to let someone else open up in return.
And it’s also about love, because in the end, everything in the world and in art is, in one way or another, about love.
Every single character is written with details and depth — absolutely brilliant. I’ve been walking around recommending it to everyone I know.
And it’s also about love, because in the end, everything in the world and in art is, in one way or another, about love.
Every single character is written with details and depth — absolutely brilliant. I’ve been walking around recommending it to everyone I know.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 out of 5 stars
How the Penguins Saved Veronica felt like it was written in a very similar style to Remarkably Bright Creatures. This type of "feel good" book does not have anything particularly unique about it outside of the setting, but being perfectly honest, I think that is okay. Though the plot beats aren't all that different between this book and Remarkably Bright Creatures or other similar "feel good" books, I enjoyed reading this all the way through and thought it was a fun, lighthearted romp. If you are looking for something that presents unique or challenging scenarios, you are in the wrong place. This is the type of book you will want to read with your brain mostly shut off.
I don't really have much to say about the characters in the book for this very reason. They were all pleasant enough and felt mostly believable. Veronica, the title character, comes off as mostly likeable, but does have some personality quirks I did not care for. It felt like she was intended to be curmudgeonly but likeable, similar to Ove from the book A Man Called Ove. I would say the novel was for the most part successful with this.
Patrick was overall a solid character. Nothing incredibly unique or interesting about him, but he definitely wasn't unlikeable.
In the end, I think as long as you know what to expect going in to this book, I think you will have a good time. How the Penguins Saved Veronica was mostly a fun time for me, but ultimately nothing special.
How the Penguins Saved Veronica felt like it was written in a very similar style to Remarkably Bright Creatures. This type of "feel good" book does not have anything particularly unique about it outside of the setting, but being perfectly honest, I think that is okay. Though the plot beats aren't all that different between this book and Remarkably Bright Creatures or other similar "feel good" books, I enjoyed reading this all the way through and thought it was a fun, lighthearted romp. If you are looking for something that presents unique or challenging scenarios, you are in the wrong place. This is the type of book you will want to read with your brain mostly shut off.
I don't really have much to say about the characters in the book for this very reason. They were all pleasant enough and felt mostly believable. Veronica, the title character, comes off as mostly likeable, but does have some personality quirks I did not care for. It felt like she was intended to be curmudgeonly but likeable, similar to Ove from the book A Man Called Ove. I would say the novel was for the most part successful with this.
Patrick was overall a solid character. Nothing incredibly unique or interesting about him, but he definitely wasn't unlikeable.
In the end, I think as long as you know what to expect going in to this book, I think you will have a good time. How the Penguins Saved Veronica was mostly a fun time for me, but ultimately nothing special.
Charming book about growing older but still looking forward. I really enjoyed the characters, especially the seemingly prickly Veronica, and also the way the author wove her story of love, loss and rediscovering what's important around the idea of penguins. It was weighty enough to be engaging and relatable but still recognized the notions of change and new beginnings - and adorable penguins.
Beautiful story, beautifully written; don't be fooled by the slow start.