Farewell Mr Puffin

Reviews

It would be hard to imagine a more thoughtful, intelligent and companionable person to go to sea with than Paul Heiney. High comedy on the high seas. Informative and warm and freezing. It's quite a combination. Funny and perceptive An exciting read... Heiney’s chatty, ‘warts and all’ narrative style lends especial charm to the tale, giving you the feeling that he is retelling his story over a pint in front of a log fire. A consummate storyteller... being at sea and overcoming the challenges of time, tide and stormy weather make this an entertaining and informative read. A captivating and humorous travel narrative, Farewell Mr Puffin is rich with the natural, social and maritime history of many ports of call, and the lives of folks inhabiting these remote places. This book, infused with humour, anecdotes and stacks of maritime history, is a travel writer’s love letter to one of the world’s most popular seabirds together with observations of the simplest pleasures to be found at sea. A tonic for the sailing reader’s soul: part adventure, part travelogue, part character study and all heart. Heiney wraps it all up in the perfect package. A very enjoyable read...I would very highly recommend it. The maritime counterpart to Bill Bryson: by turns evocative, entertaining and though-provoking. A good-humoured portrait of life on the ocean waves. This ode to life at sea by writer and broadcaster Paul Heiney will have you dreaming of Iceland's storied shores from which he set sail while searching for the iconic puffins. Though Heiney fails to see his beloved birds, he finds meaning as he reflects on his travels, peppered throughout with maritime history and humor. Humorous and thoughtful, Paul skilfully tells stories of encounters with people and places, painting a vivid picture of his journey. In Farewell Mr Puffin he weaves together the history of the lands with a story of altered biodiversity, and paints a picture of an ever challenging and changing landscape and adaptable peoples. An entertaining, well-written and very readable book for all sailors. Paul’s joy of the sea, wildlife and sailing knowledge shine through in this delightful trip around northern waters. The book contains excellent advice and humorous observations for those sailing to Iceland: finding protected anchorages, weather forecasts, clearing in, staying warm, and the cost of basic supplies. Expand reviews