France, Anatole (1844 - 1924)

Penguin Island [Satirical Allegory]

London: John Lane The Bodley Head Ltd., 1927. Illustrated by Frank C. Pape. Translated by A. W. Evans; Later printing.

Black cloth with stamped titles and decorations in gilt; top edge with a light red stain; 9.5 inches tall; 345 pages with 12 plates decorated end-pages, and numerous drawings by Frank C. Pape. 

The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean; light, even age-toning. Moderate shelf handling wear with small rubs on the corners and frayed spine bands with no loss.

Anatole France’s Penguin Island (L'Île des Pingouins, first published in 1909) is a satirical novel that humorously critiques the absurdities of human civilization through an allegorical narrative. The story begins with Saint Maël, a half-blind missionary, who mistakes a colony of penguins for humans and baptizes them.

As a result, these penguins are granted human souls and begin to evolve into a society resembling human civilization. The novel chronicles their journey from medieval times through to a dystopian future, mirroring the rise and fall of various human societies.

Through this fantastical premise, France offers a sharp commentary on religion, politics, and social structures. The penguins' transition into a human-like society serves as a reflection of the flaws inherent in human institutions and the cyclical nature of history. France’s use of humor and irony invites readers to question the foundations of societal norms and human behavior.

Subjects: Religion, Politics, Social Critique, Human Nature, Satire, Allegory, Historical Fiction

Item #20868

Price: $125.00