Penguin Island


Read by Michael Sirois

(4.8 stars; 11 reviews)

The novel (original French title -- L'Île des Pingouins) is a satire on human nature. The first publication was in 1908. These penguins are mistaken for humans by the 97-year-old priest, Father Mael, because of his bad eyesight. He baptizes them, and once baptized, they have no choice but to become human. They take on human traits (build civilizations, go to war, etc.). The book is very funny and powerful. (Summary by Michael) (9 hr 4 min)

Chapters

1-1 Life of Saint Mael 3:30 Read by Michael Sirois
1-2 The Apostolical Vocation of Saint Mael 9:43 Read by Michael Sirois
1-3 The Temptation of Saint Mael 6:53 Read by Michael Sirois
1-4 Saint Mael's Navigation on the Ocean of Ice 6:00 Read by Michael Sirois
1-5 The Baptism of the Penguins 6:24 Read by Michael Sirois
1-6 An Assembly in Paradise 18:36 Read by Michael Sirois
1-7 An Assembly in Paradise (Continuation and End) 10:49 Read by Michael Sirois
1-8 Metamorphosis of the Penguins 3:44 Read by Michael Sirois
2-01 The First Clothes 10:51 Read by Michael Sirois
2-02 The First Clothes (Continuation and End) 1:51 Read by Michael Sirois
2-03 Setting Bounds to the Fields and the Origin of Property 8:38 Read by Michael Sirois
2-04 The First Assembly of the Estates of Penguinia 5:29 Read by Michael Sirois
2-05 The Marriage of Krakken and Orberosia 4:37 Read by Michael Sirois
2-06 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 1 5:34 Read by Michael Sirois
2-07 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 2 4:59 Read by Michael Sirois
2-08 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 3 6:07 Read by Michael Sirois
2-09 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 4 5:15 Read by Michael Sirois
2-10 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 5 6:59 Read by Michael Sirois
2-11 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 6 6:19 Read by Michael Sirois
2-12 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 7 6:03 Read by Michael Sirois
2-13 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 8 (end) 4:25 Read by Michael Sirois
3-1 Brian the Good and Queen Glamorgan 8:16 Read by Michael Sirois
3-2 Draco the Great (Translation of the Relics of St. Orberosia) 6:56 Read by Michael Sirois
3-3 Queen Crucha 6:38 Read by Michael Sirois
3-4 Letters: Johannes Talpa 7:32 Read by Michael Sirois
3-5 The Arts: The Primitives of Penguin Painting 11:30 Read by Michael Sirois
3-6 Marbodius 26:03 Read by Michael Sirois
3-7 Signs in the Moon 3:22 Read by Michael Sirois
4-1 Mother Roquin 9:53 Read by Michael Sirois
4-2 Trinco 6:37 Read by Michael Sirois
4-3 The Journey of Doctor Obnubile 9:19 Read by Michael Sirois
5-1 The Reverend Fathers Agaric and Cornemuse 15:02 Read by Michael Sirois
5-2 Prince Crucho 5:52 Read by Michael Sirois
5-3 The Cabal 10:04 Read by Michael Sirois
5-4 Viscountess Olive 8:39 Read by Michael Sirois
5-5 The Prince des Boscenos 11:17 Read by Michael Sirois
5-6 The Emiral's Fall 15:09 Read by Michael Sirois
5-7 Conclusion 6:59 Read by Michael Sirois
6-01 General Greatauk, Duke of Skull 6:57 Read by Michael Sirois
6-02 Pyrot 7:26 Read by Michael Sirois
6-03 Count de Maubec de la Dentdulynx 7:40 Read by Michael Sirois
6-04 Columban 6:31 Read by Michael Sirois
6-05 The Reverend Fathers Agaric and Cornemuse 9:16 Read by Michael Sirois
6-06 The Seven Hundred Pyrotists 9:20 Read by Michael Sirois
6-07 Bidault-Coquille and Maniflore, the Socialists 12:50 Read by Michael Sirois
6-08 The Columban Trial 12:05 Read by Michael Sirois
6-09 Father Douillard 10:26 Read by Michael Sirois
6-10 Mr. Justice Chaussepied 8:46 Read by Michael Sirois
6-11 Conclusion 7:43 Read by Michael Sirois
7-1 Madame Clarence's Drawing-Room 8:15 Read by Michael Sirois
7-2 The Charity of St. Orberosia 8:57 Read by Michael Sirois
7-3 Hippolyte Ceres 12:36 Read by Michael Sirois
7-4 A Politician's Marriage 8:43 Read by Michael Sirois
7-5 The Visire Cabinet 10:45 Read by Michael Sirois
7-6 The Sofa of the Favorite 9:14 Read by Michael Sirois
7-7 The First Consequences 7:20 Read by Michael Sirois
7-8 Further Consequences 13:34 Read by Michael Sirois
7-9 The Final Consequences 17:49 Read by Michael Sirois
8-1 The Endless History & Section 1 13:31 Read by Michael Sirois
8-2 Section 2 8:29 Read by Michael Sirois
8-3 Section 3 10:57 Read by Michael Sirois
8-4 Section 4 3:27 Read by Michael Sirois

Reviews

Great narration & good book!


(4.5 stars)

Narration 5 stars without a doubt. book I'll give 3.5-4 stars. I wish there were more books read by the narrator.

Lots of fun


(5 stars)

Michael Sirois strikes just the right note of befuddled dignity, never breaking character here. My only wish is that the original preface would be included, because it's equally funny. It is not in many editions. In the later chapters, France gets into the weeds a bit about the Dreyfus Affair. I recommend Bredin's book on the subject, but there are any number of other great options to read.

Great narration, so-so book.


(5 stars)

Wonderful narration. I only liked the first 1/3 and the last 1/10 of the book, though.

wonderful satire & talented reader; a great book start to finish


(5 stars)