Penguin Island - Softcover

France, Anatole

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0451504259 ISBN 13: 9780451504258

Publisher: Signet Classics, 1968

Synopsis

A critique of human nature, and a satire on France's political history

About this title

About the Author

Anatole France (pseudonym of Jacques Anatol Thibault, 1844- 1924) was the most prominent French man of letters of his time. France's style was precise, elegant, gentle, ironic, and humorous. He was elected to the French Academy, and in 1921 was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature. Some of his other works include The Aspirations of Jean Servien, The Revolt of the Angels, and Penguin Island.

From AudioFile

A foolish, old priest with weak eyes comes upon an island full of penguins. They look like people to him, so he baptizes them. This creates a crisis in heaven; God and the saints have to decide whether to give the penguins souls. From there France runs us through the history of the great penguin race, and if the birds weren't so venal and ridiculous, you too might mistake them for people. First published in 1908, this satire is certainly not contemporary, but it is, nevertheless, very fine stuff. France won the Nobel Prize, and this was considered his masterpiece. Frederick Davidson gives a strong, but conventional reading. B.H.C. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Edition details

• Publisher: Signet Classics
• Publication date: 1968
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0451504259
• ISBN 13: 9780451504258
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback