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HOW THE PENGUINS SAVED VERONICA – Hazel Prior

This is a lovely story about an 86-year-old curmudgeon who decides to go to a scientific station in Antarctica to see the penguins. What ensues is gently humorous, scientifically factual, and full of family, love, disappointment, sorrow, overcoming setbacks, relationships, and coming to terms with yourself.

Prior writes warmly, gracefully, and clearly. Her characters live and grow and endear themselves to the reader. I enjoyed the relationship growth between the characters as they dealt with isolation and extreme cold along with the hardships of living and working in the unforgiving environment of an Antarctic scientific base.

The relationship of Veronica and her grandson develops in a natural way as they alienate each other on first meeting and then write notes and letters to each other as they each attempt to make amends.

A lovely book by a newish author. This is her second book. Her first, ELLIE AND THE HARPMAKER, is also worth your time.

5 of 5 stars