Hazel Prior

A charming, quirky story by English author Hazel Prior, about an octogenarian, Veronica McCreedy, who leaves her home in Scotland to stay at the research station on Locket Bay, South Shetland islands in Antarctica to study the penguins. I seem to have become a fan of elderly rebirth lit, and this book is a great example. Veronica is feisty, stubborn and even prickly at times but nevertheless her stay changes things for the scientists: the sweet blogger Terry, grumpy Mike and family man Dietrich. She has also recently met her grandson Patrick and begun a tentative relationship with him. The book delves into Veronica’s wartime past and gradually reveals the secrets behind her stoic facade and the locket she wears constantly. My favourite character is Pip, the orphaned baby penguin they adopt, who melts even the toughest of hearts. 4.5 stars from me.… (more)