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. Having lived through the war, Veronica believes amonster is lurking in all of us and that asmile can hide avillain. Do you think this is an unfair judgement of her lived experience or the truth? 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. At first glance, this is not the type of book I usually read but I love penguins so took a chance and I'm so glad I did. The main character is just wonderful and the plot a delightful surprise.

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

What are your thoughts about Veronica when you first meet her, and how does your opinion change throughout the story? 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. Veronica, for all her cranky sullenness, is extremely likable. She is stubborn, feisty, and does not suffer fools gladly. I felt such affection for her, almost instantaneously. And over the course of the narrative, Prior skillfully allows the reader to know Veronica deeply and understand the reasons for her gruff exterior. Veronica’s life story is quite poignant, and it is no wonder she has built such walls around her icy heart.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.

Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior | Goodreads

It's clear that Veronica has her own secrets, ones that has made her be the stubborn individual that we first meet.How the Penquins Saved Veronica is just the uplifting sort of read I needed this week. It���s sweet and touching — don’t miss it! 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.

Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior - Penguin Books Australia Away with the Penguins by Hazel Prior - Penguin Books Australia

This is my second Hazel Prior book and I really enjoy her quirky character driven stories. Veronica is in her seventies, living on her own, and has lived a life marked by stark loneliness and tragedy. She has no one left. No family. Except… she discovers, she does. A long lost grandson she never knew about is discovered, and the book delves into his life, into her past coming of age during WW2, and a mission to Antarctica to be with the penguins (which was my favorite part of the book—penguins, so adorable.)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 Thankfully, Prior never allows the book to descend into treacle-y, twee inspirationalism, and while there are copious moments of human warmth and wonder that make reading Away With the Penguins a total joy, Veronica McCreedy is allowed to retain enough rough edges to make her feel like a real, authentic human being.