Penguin Island

Anatole France (1844 - 1924)
Translated by A. W. Evans

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)

Genre(s): Satire

Language: English

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 1-1 Life of Saint Mael Michael Sirois
00:03:30
Play 02 1-2 The Apostolical Vocation of Saint Mael Michael Sirois
00:09:43
Play 03 1-3 The Temptation of Saint Mael Michael Sirois
00:06:53
Play 04 1-4 Saint Mael's Navigation on the Ocean of Ice Michael Sirois
00:06:00
Play 05 1-5 The Baptism of the Penguins Michael Sirois
00:06:24
Play 06 1-6 An Assembly in Paradise Michael Sirois
00:18:36
Play 07 1-7 An Assembly in Paradise (Continuation and End) Michael Sirois
00:10:49
Play 08 1-8 Metamorphosis of the Penguins Michael Sirois
00:03:44
Play 09 2-01 The First Clothes Michael Sirois
00:10:51
Play 10 2-02 The First Clothes (Continuation and End) Michael Sirois
00:01:51
Play 11 2-03 Setting Bounds to the Fields and the Origin of Property Michael Sirois
00:08:38
Play 12 2-04 The First Assembly of the Estates of Penguinia Michael Sirois
00:05:29
Play 13 2-05 The Marriage of Krakken and Orberosia Michael Sirois
00:04:37
Play 14 2-06 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 1 Michael Sirois
00:05:34
Play 15 2-07 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 2 Michael Sirois
00:04:59
Play 16 2-08 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 3 Michael Sirois
00:06:07
Play 17 2-09 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 4 Michael Sirois
00:05:15
Play 18 2-10 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 5 Michael Sirois
00:06:59
Play 19 2-11 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 6 Michael Sirois
00:06:19
Play 20 2-12 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 7 Michael Sirois
00:06:03
Play 21 2-13 The Dragon of Alca, pt. 8 (end) Michael Sirois
00:04:25
Play 22 3-1 Brian the Good and Queen Glamorgan Michael Sirois
00:08:16
Play 23 3-2 Draco the Great (Translation of the Relics of St. Orberosia) Michael Sirois
00:06:56
Play 24 3-3 Queen Crucha Michael Sirois
00:06:38
Play 25 3-4 Letters: Johannes Talpa Michael Sirois
00:07:32
Play 26 3-5 The Arts: The Primitives of Penguin Painting Michael Sirois
00:11:30
Play 27 3-6 Marbodius Michael Sirois
00:26:03
Play 28 3-7 Signs in the Moon Michael Sirois
00:03:22
Play 29 4-1 Mother Roquin Michael Sirois
00:09:53
Play 30 4-2 Trinco Michael Sirois
00:06:37
Play 31 4-3 The Journey of Doctor Obnubile Michael Sirois
00:09:19
Play 32 5-1 The Reverend Fathers Agaric and Cornemuse Michael Sirois
00:15:02
Play 33 5-2 Prince Crucho Michael Sirois
00:05:52
Play 34 5-3 The Cabal Michael Sirois
00:10:04
Play 35 5-4 Viscountess Olive Michael Sirois
00:08:39
Play 36 5-5 The Prince des Boscenos Michael Sirois
00:11:17
Play 37 5-6 The Emiral's Fall Michael Sirois
00:15:09
Play 38 5-7 Conclusion Michael Sirois
00:06:59
Play 39 6-01 General Greatauk, Duke of Skull Michael Sirois
00:06:57
Play 40 6-02 Pyrot Michael Sirois
00:07:26
Play 41 6-03 Count de Maubec de la Dentdulynx Michael Sirois
00:07:40
Play 42 6-04 Columban Michael Sirois
00:06:31
Play 43 6-05 The Reverend Fathers Agaric and Cornemuse Michael Sirois
00:09:16
Play 44 6-06 The Seven Hundred Pyrotists Michael Sirois
00:09:20
Play 45 6-07 Bidault-Coquille and Maniflore, the Socialists Michael Sirois
00:12:50
Play 46 6-08 The Columban Trial Michael Sirois
00:12:05
Play 47 6-09 Father Douillard Michael Sirois
00:10:26
Play 48 6-10 Mr. Justice Chaussepied Michael Sirois
00:08:46
Play 49 6-11 Conclusion Michael Sirois
00:07:43
Play 50 7-1 Madame Clarence's Drawing-Room Michael Sirois
00:08:15
Play 51 7-2 The Charity of St. Orberosia Michael Sirois
00:08:57
Play 52 7-3 Hippolyte Ceres Michael Sirois
00:12:36
Play 53 7-4 A Politician's Marriage Michael Sirois
00:08:43
Play 54 7-5 The Visire Cabinet Michael Sirois
00:10:45
Play 55 7-6 The Sofa of the Favorite Michael Sirois
00:09:14
Play 56 7-7 The First Consequences Michael Sirois
00:07:20
Play 57 7-8 Further Consequences Michael Sirois
00:13:34
Play 58 7-9 The Final Consequences Michael Sirois
00:17:49
Play 59 8-1 The Endless History & Section 1 Michael Sirois
00:13:31
Play 60 8-2 Section 2 Michael Sirois
00:08:29
Play 61 8-3 Section 3 Michael Sirois
00:10:57
Play 62 8-4 Section 4 Michael Sirois
00:03:27