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The Penguin Lessons

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The Penguin Lessons

By: Tom Michell
Narrated by: Bill Nighy
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

NOW A MAJOR FILM STARRING STEVE COOGAN AND JONATHAN PRYCE


THIS IS THE TRUE STORY OF THE UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN A FLIGHTLESS BIRD AND A TEACHER OUT OF HIS DEPTH . . .

Tom Michell is in his roaring twenties: single, free-spirited and seeking adventure. He has a plane ticket to South America, a teaching position in a prestigious Argentine boarding school, and endless summer holidays.

What he doesn't need is a pet. What he really doesn't need is a pet penguin.

But while on holiday in Uruguay he spots a penguin struggling in an oil slick and knows he has to help. And then the penguin refuses to leave his side . . .

Clearly Tom has no choice but to smuggle it across the border, through customs, and back to school. He names him Juan Salvador.

Whether it's as the rugby team's mascot, the housekeeper's confidant, the host at Tom's parties or the most flamboyant swimming coach in world history, Juan Salvador transforms the lives of all he meets - including Tom, who discovers a compadre like no other . . .


AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 2

'A much-beloved tale about a much-beloved bird . . . Heart-warmingly eccentric' Guardian

'So touching that I didn't want it to end. I really loved this book' Michael Bond, creator of Paddington

'Charming' Daily Mail

'One of the most touching tales we've read all year' Heat

© Tom Michell 2015 (P) Penguin Audio 2015

Birds Environmentalists & Naturalists Pets & Animal Care Professionals & Academics Travel Writing & Commentary South America Feel-Good Argentina

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This is just a beautiful story and Bill's reading of it is light but intensely moving and entertaining. What a joy.
I would recommend for anyone who loves animals and especially penguins and also anyone who enjoys beautiful language. A gem of a book. Thank you

Enchanting

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I enjoyed this story particularly the early chapters. Well read by Bill Nighy and the story suited his personality.

Entertaining tale with a message for us all

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I listened to this book and whilst doing so realised for most of the time I was smiling.

An absolutely charming book. I loved it!-

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I’ve just finished this and am writing without time to reflect or muse on what I write. It was lovely. Joy from start to finish. Do listen to it. I hope there’s a film one day.

I have tears in my eyes

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Bill Nighy is a very good reader and I very much enjoyed this delightful book. It was a refreshing journey into a simple, kind, world, where animals and people can have that rich, loving relationship that is so charming to read about and even more wonderful to experience. Thankyou Tom and Bill for taking me there

A wonderful story

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Wonderful story of an unusual friendship. Beautifully narrated. I learnt a lot about penguins and Argentina

Marvellous

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I found a gem with this beautiful story. I was totally unprepared for the warmth and joy it brought into my life. With my love of wildlife and horror of what we humans are doing to the planet, Juan Salvador and his rescue is endearing, funny and heartwarming as well as heart wrenching. The book is well written by Tom Michell and read by Bill Nighy in such a way that it was difficult to believe this was not part of Bill Nighy’s life experience. Anyone interested in South America in the last century, it’s politics and struggles, it’s geography and peoples will also enjoy The Penguin Lessons because South America is the rich backdrop to this joyful story. Yes, the penguin is given speech, but anyone with a pet would understand how we interpret the silent language of the animals we love in our lives. This is a winning book from almost every aspect. I heartily recommend it.

Touching and totally absorbing

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This is one of the most charming and engaging books I've ever read. Perhaps it is me experience of penguins in the Antarctic that endeared this story so much to me. It captures the very essence of a penguin's character and presence. Wonderful! I don't often come across a book I would return to, but I will probably listen to this again and again.

Just the most charming tale

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I bought this in the sale by chance, and from the first descriptions of the rescue, I was completely enchanted. Probably my favourite book of this year, I have adored listening to the adventures of this enchanting little penguin with the big personality. I was even more delighted to realise early on that it's a true story. A bravissimo performance from the legend, Bill Nighy - this couldn't be more perfect. Unless you have a heart of stone, you should definitely buy this wonderful Audible book. ❤️

Charming and heart warming

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Just loved this charming gem of a book. Bill Nighy is the perfect narrator. I was so sad to finish and say adios to Juan Salvatore!

charming

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