Away with the Penguins: The joyful no. 1 Richard & Judy pick now with exclusive bonus chapter

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The next book to be featured on the Jo Whiley Radio 2 Book Club will be Away with the Penguins, the wonderfully uplifting novel by Hazel Prior. Hazel will be on the show on Monday 6 April and the book was released on 12 March. Veronica McCreedy is a fussy, unfriendly, skeptical 85-year-old woman, living in her huge house in Scotland. She likes to be left alone, is sure that her memory is perfect (it’s not), and is, in general, fed up with the world, her housekeeper Eileen, and the hand life has dealt her. So when Veronica and Daisy are invited to travel to the other side of the world together and visit the penguins of the southern hemisphere, they both jump at the chance. However, as her story unfolds, we gain new insights into her life and understand why she keeps people at arm's length, fearing the possibility of losing them again.

Penguins: The new heartwarming story from the No Call of the Penguins: The new heartwarming story from the No

The only criticism I have to offer regarding How the Penguins Saved Veronica is fairly minor, in nature. And it’s that I think the story would have benefited from Prior fleshing out the secondary characters a bit further, namely the three penguin researchers in Antarctica. All three play important roles in the story and knowing each of them a bit more would’ve further rounded out the novel.After all, Veronica is almost eighty-six, and has to consider the dispersion of her considerable wealth after she departs this life. Not that there’s any sign of that happening: Veronica is hale and healthy, with an excellent memory, she continues to assure everyone (even if they know otherwise): “My memory is faultless. I can recall dozens of lines of Hamlet from my schooldays.” In my opinion, the last part felt harsh, if Veronica wanted to help the penguins, she should make sure they get support no matter what. Veronica doesn’t have family or friends nearby. Not that she knows about, anyway . . . And she has no idea where she’s going to leave her considerable wealth when she dies. I love this gorgeous book. Unflinching, stubborn, funny and moving, Veronica is an unlikely heroine who will sneak in and capture your heart. Trisha Ashley

Away with the Penguins: The heartwarming and uplifting Away with the Penguins: The heartwarming and uplifting

The highlight of this novel is the manner her past is revealed in old diary entries, these are some of the tougher but ultimately happy sections of the story, especially as the pengiuns make such an impression on her.Then one day Veronica makes a fateful decision, one that will have a significant impact on her life going forward. If you are a fan of books that challenge the notion that life is immutable once settled on a particular course and which sing the praises of re-invention and renewal then you will adore the beguiling wonder of Away With the Penguins.

BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS: Away with the Penguins - AJ Campbell author BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS: Away with the Penguins - AJ Campbell author

I love this gorgeous book. Unflinching, stubborn, funny and moving, Veronica is an unlikely heroine who will sneak in and capture your heart.' Trisha Ashley The time spent there is challenging at first, not everyone was on board with her decision in coming there. Granted, it’s highly unlikely that scientists would take an 86-year-old into their base nor let her roam around the penguin rookery with them, and you’d have to wonder if there would be anyone left in Veronica’s life after a lifetime of virulently acerbic treatment of others, but these narratively convenient elements are tempered by the fact that Veronica never once comes across as a saint.

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If you were to ask Veronica McCreedy at the start of Hazel Prior’s ( Ellie and the Harp Maker) charmingly redemptive novel Away With the Penguins, you would likely receive a snappy, tart reply that “Of course it is! How could you think otherwise?” As I neared the top of the stairs, I realised there were Magellanic nests everywhere. We had to watch our step as the nests were directly beside the walkway, or under it. One nest was on the walkway and I had to turn to the girl behind me – who was understandably distracted by other penguins – to warn her to be careful. She would have stepped right into a nest of two babies and a parent otherwise. She also finds most human company irksome, and deplores stupid questions so she pretends to be hard of hearing when it’s suits her. To be fair, the book is a little tough going at first because Veronica McCreedy is not a pleasant person to be around and there are times when you wonder if it is worth persevering with a person who responds to the normal social niceties with a tone so acidly brusque and razor-sharp rude that you begin to wonder how someone like Eileen has stayed in her employ as long as she has. A quote from the book: "There are three types of people in the world: those who make the world worse, those who make no difference, and those who make the world better."

Away with the Penguins: A trip to Isla Martillo - Travel Polar Away with the Penguins: A trip to Isla Martillo - Travel Polar

Magellanic penguins are curious little critters. As we made our way around the nests, they were as interested in looking at us as we were at them. Their little heads tilted to the left and to the right as they peered at us with first one eye and then the other. It was cute to watch, especially when the babies joined the dance. A note for animal lovers: There is one brief scene of bird-on-penguin violence that may be disturbing. This is a difficult time for would-be Antarctic adventurers, with expeditions to the continent in the south being cancelled on a regular basis due to Covid-19 and the government’s regulations for ships that have an outbreak. Our trip was cancelled just two days before we were due to embark – read more on that here– but we made the decision to travel to Ushuaia regardless and we didn’t regret it. She spends most of the time with Terry (one of the scientists who writes and takes pictures for her penguin blog), and one day she finds a baby penguin that despite the rules, Veronica insists on adopting the little one. Furthermore, the book touches upon significant themes such as anti-religious sentiments, climate change, pollution, animal extinction, drug abuse, marriage, prisoners of war during World War II, orphaned children, and the pervasive loneliness experienced, particularly in old age.Veronica had thought her days of new friendships, family and love were over, but perhaps it's never too late for one more adventure? Veronica doesn’t have family or friends nearby. Not that she knows about, anyway… And she has no idea where she’s going to leave her considerable wealth when she dies. Veronica’s 86th birthday is approaching. She is cantankerous and feisty. She lives in an old mansion. A woman, Eileen comes in to help around the house. A hired Gardner keeps the grounds in fine condition. Veronica has been friendless most of her long life and has no known relatives. She is very wealthy and is wondering to whom she will leave her riches. Her days are spent doing crossword puzzles, reading, and watching TV. At the start of the story, Veronica imparts her father’s wisdom. What one piece of advice would you impart? The quirkiness of this book and characters was fabulous. I never knew what the characters were going to do next and it really enhanced the book for me.