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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 Feel-Good

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All stars
Most relevant  
I loved this story - it was so heartwarming and enchanting. Bill Nighy beautifully narrated this story with charm and warmth. Highly recommended.

Heartwarming

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What a delightful read, thoroughly enjoyable, superbly narrated, with the most excellent character voices by Bill. An emotional end that had me smiling with tears in my eyes.

Delightful

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Lovely story that is easy to listen to.
Bill Nighy makes an entertaining narrator with personable nuances through out the story.

Easy listen

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Well written, humorous, informative, poignant, sensitive and thought provoking, a glimpse of Argentina in the 70s

Heartwarming

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A delightful story to read and listen to.
Great narration! I absolutely loved it wow!

Delightful story

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A truly lovely story - full of laughter and tears, whilst also delivering a fabulous snap shot of the challenges and beauty of Argentina in the 1970’s.

Just glorious!

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What a joy, so many life lessons, and region and natural history I sights. Wonderfully read by Bill

Stunning

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A lovely story about travelling in Argentina and the tales of what happens when you meet a penguin on the way.

Heart warming easy listen

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I was hooked right at the start.
Fabulous narration.
Great, heart warming story.
Dealt with emotions in such a way that I think we can learn from.

I loved this book so much.
If in doubt...don't be.

Bloody brilliant

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A lovely story narrated beautifully. You sink into the story as pictures are skilfully painted in your mind and the emotions come to life from each page. Transported back in time to the 1970s in an Argentina struggling with exponential inflation you get to understand how relationships and individuals are transformed where a penguin acts as a catalyst.

Delightfully heartwarming

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