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gniknej's review
5.0
“...his behavior was more like that of the perfect host at a grand society banquet, His Excellency Don Juan Salvador de Pingüino. Witty, urbane, and dressed immaculately in white tie and tails, with a confidence born of a noble ancestry, superior learning, and wider experience, His Excellency circulated among his guests.”
The Penguin Lessons is one of the most charming books I have ever read. Never have I been a big reader of non-fiction stories, but I couldn’t resist a story of a man who rescued a penguin from an oil spill and consequently gained an adorable companion. The author’s prose is witty and insightful and I often found myself laughing out loud to some of his remarks. The title truly reflects the author’s lessons learned from not only his penguin friend, Juan Salvado, but from the experience of living and traveling in South America as a young british man.
“I wanted to experience some of life’s challenges without the security of a safety net. If there are always cows in the field, hens in the barn, and dinner on the table, where is the challenge and excitement?”
As much as I loved reading the stories about Juan Salvado, I also found it interesting to read about life in Argentina and the politics that were going on at the time, especially as it is something not often taught about in history books. With that being said, Tom Michell’s recollection of his time spent with Juan Salvado is also a platform to discuss how environmental and geopolitical issues have affected many wildlife species, particularly the charming and intelligent Magellan penguins.
The Penguin Lessons is a short, enjoyable, and easy read- recommended for anyone who loves traveling, likes watching cute videos of penguins, or who’s bucket list items includes meeting penguins in the wild.
The Penguin Lessons is one of the most charming books I have ever read. Never have I been a big reader of non-fiction stories, but I couldn’t resist a story of a man who rescued a penguin from an oil spill and consequently gained an adorable companion. The author’s prose is witty and insightful and I often found myself laughing out loud to some of his remarks. The title truly reflects the author’s lessons learned from not only his penguin friend, Juan Salvado, but from the experience of living and traveling in South America as a young british man.
“I wanted to experience some of life’s challenges without the security of a safety net. If there are always cows in the field, hens in the barn, and dinner on the table, where is the challenge and excitement?”
As much as I loved reading the stories about Juan Salvado, I also found it interesting to read about life in Argentina and the politics that were going on at the time, especially as it is something not often taught about in history books. With that being said, Tom Michell’s recollection of his time spent with Juan Salvado is also a platform to discuss how environmental and geopolitical issues have affected many wildlife species, particularly the charming and intelligent Magellan penguins.
The Penguin Lessons is a short, enjoyable, and easy read- recommended for anyone who loves traveling, likes watching cute videos of penguins, or who’s bucket list items includes meeting penguins in the wild.
themagicalinbetween's review
3.0
The title is a bit misleading as there were not many "lessons" from a Penguin. But the story is charming, meaningful and quirky. At some points, the author went into what felt like unnecessary details of his travels that didn't have anything to do with the Penguin, but this true story was still meaningful and interesting.
Some mild language.
Some mild language.
pebbles1984's review against another edition
5.0
This was absolutely wonderful!! And not in the least because of the excellent narration by Bill Nighy. I wish there was more!
barbaraf's review
5.0
This was on the recommended reading list for South America. It is a touching memoir of a young British expat (author Tom Michell), who moved to Argentina during the 1970s to work as an assistant school master at a British boarding school in Buenos Aires. While visiting a coastal town in Uruguay, he rescues a Magellan penguin from an oil spill and brings him back to his school, where he and his staff and students become affectionately attached to the bird. Hence, begins the story of Juan Salvador de Penguino. It is quite an engaging story, and I can't wait to see these penguins...
swillsy's review against another edition
4.0
2023 - I still think this is an incredibly heartwarming book, but also quite sad given the circumstances described. It stays as a 4 star for me as it’s still a great book.
2016 - This is such a heartwarming book! Not only does it focus on the most brilliant little penguin, it also focuses on so many other topics and really leaves you with something to think about afterwards - the social situation in Argentina at the time, human impact on the world and nature, the beauty of travelling the world, the rewarding feeling that comes with teaching - so much! I loved this book and expect I will be reading it again some day.
2016 - This is such a heartwarming book! Not only does it focus on the most brilliant little penguin, it also focuses on so many other topics and really leaves you with something to think about afterwards - the social situation in Argentina at the time, human impact on the world and nature, the beauty of travelling the world, the rewarding feeling that comes with teaching - so much! I loved this book and expect I will be reading it again some day.
marbooks88's review
5.0
Love, love, love this book!! A young man working abroad is traveling when he encounters a beach of dead, oil covered penguins. When he spies movement his real adventure begins!! From transporting the penguin across the border to figuring out how to feed it, to introducing him to the boarding school, life with a penguin is an adventure. And everyone who encounters it is changed. Beautiful and moving this is a story of compassion and friendship and finding your way through the unknown.