It's a pleasure to take part in the Blogtour Gone With The Penguins by Hazel Prior.
'From the No.1 bestselling author of Away with the Penguins comes the heart-warming and charming final chapter of Veronica McCreedy's story.'
About the Author
Hazel Prior lives on Exmoor with her husband and a huge ginger cat. As well as writing, she works as a freelance harpist.
Hazel is the author of Ellie and the Harp-Maker, the #1 ebook and audiobook bestseller Away with the Penguins and its follow-up, Call of the Penguins. Gone with the Penguins is her fifth novel. Follow @HazelPriorBooks on X
"Emperor penguins defy the odds, and I shall too.” - Still fiery and feisty at eighty-seven, Veronica McCreedy, the very first Penguin Ambassador, is determined to prove that nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it.
Eileen, Veronica’s ever-patient assistant, is content taking care of other people. But when a new adventure calls, it makes her question everything...
Ten-year-old, penguin-obsessed Daisy can’t wait to be reunited with Mrs McCreedy in her huge house by the sea for the school holidays.
When they discover that the local Sea Life Centre is under threat, the unlikely trio are determined to save it and the penguins that live there.
Inspired by the penguins and fuelled by Darjeeling tea and finger sandwiches, they embark on an epic fundraising walk. But soon, their mission becomes so much more and it might just lead each of them to a new beginning...
As I often do with books, I pondered the most on the ending, perhaps because it says the most about this book and the trilogy. There is a clear separation of threads, how they connect and where the disconnect is. You see the human factor, the animal's view - albeit through the eyes of the character and writer, and the environment. I think it's important to note that the environments can also be viewed as two and then again as a third entity when envisioned as a result of current and impending changes.
It's not only a story about conservation, about sustaining the planet for all living species - it's also one about human hierarchy and where society places us in the rankings. Veronica's journey is an example of ageism and being the forgotten group, and how the majority of society is only too happy to appease and quieten older generations. At some level their lack of importance is mirrored in the way the world is only too happy to ignore the Pip's and their environment.
It's a superbly poignant story that doesn't preach or try to whack the reader around the head with truths, facts and realities. It invites you to take a seat on a sweet, often funny and sometimes tongue-in-cheek ride, perhaps with the hope that you will take away the fun stuff and the important messages within.
Buy Gone With the Penguins at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: Penguin; pub date 7th November 2024 | Paperback Original | £9.99. Buy at Amazon com.
