Reviews

The Penguin Lessons by Tom Michell

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thelittlebirdie's review

adventurous inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.5

I was initially attracted by the delightful cover, but I absolutely loved this gentle, funny and charming book about Tom Michell's adventures with the penguin he rescued whilst in South America in the 1970s.

dmchesher's review against another edition

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3.0

I loved the stories directly involving Juan Salvador but I found the narrative of Michelle’s travels quite dull. I understand it helps to contextualise the story but I want to hear about penguins not a tour of South America 🐧

nanirump's review

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4.0

Very cute story, gives you an insight into what life and travelling was like on South America in the 1970's. What a time to be alive!

margaret21's review against another edition

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4.0

I didn't expect to like this book. The story of how Mitchell keeps a penguin during his days as a school teacher in Argentina promised to be a fey, sentimental read, I thought. But it wasn't. Though light in tone and amusing, it highlighted the real challenges faced, and life-lessons learnt from caring for a wild beast in a thoroughly domestic setting. A somewhat thought- provoking and satisfying holiday read.

booksngrannies's review

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

hugbandit7's review

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4.0

I have to admit I wasn't sure about this book when I first started reading, but a few chapters in and I was engrossed in the story of a man in the 70's that finds a penguin that could have died from an oil spill but he manages to clean him up and earn the penguin's trust. From there it is like they were best buds and I chuckled at the conversations he had with him because it reminded me of my conversations with my dogs!

The story itself is more than just his life with this penguin, but it was also the life lessons learned from having Juan Salvadore (the penguin) around and what he also taught to the young men at the boarding school.

This is a heartwarming story, one that I think anyone would enjoy. you also get a peek into the culture and history of Argentina and the towns around where he was teaching. This was also the time around the Peron's power and so there is a bit of history thrown in too.