An Inconvenience of Penguins is a travelogue and memoir by award-winning Scottish travel writer Jamie Lafferty. In his fanatical and focused pursuit over several years, Lafferty realises he has become a ‘twitcher’, or obsessive birdwatcher who travels long distances to see rare birds. (Too busy birdwatching, he missed out on several weddings and a funeral.)
There’s much delight in this book. Lafferty set out on a mission to chase various species of penguin: Galapagos, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Humboldt, Adélie, Emperor (of course), Royal, Erect-crested, Snares, African Penguins … (the list continues to a total of 18). He journeyed across the corners of the globe, sometimes during the challenges of COVID, travelling to Antarctica,
New Zealand, South America, South Africa (and more). The penguins are only part of the journey.
Understandably, given Lafferty’s travel-writing background, the various encounters with genuine penguins are seamlessly tumbled in with assorted adventures, unexpected diversions, humorous asides, hijinks and travel escapades. The writing is springy, energetic and entertaining.
An Inconvenience of Penguins started its life as a collection of essays before transforming into an actual book, with full-colour photos. It’s an ideal book to read on your next holiday.
(Or a book to read for an entertaining escape, while anticipating your next holiday.) In this unique, chaotic birdwatching quest, readers will feel as though they’re a fellow ‘penguin twitcher’ along for the ride.
Reviewed by Mark Parry
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jamie Lafferty is a regular contributor to the Sunday Times, Financial Times and National Geographic Traveller, while his work has also appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Telegraph and BBC Travel. He has been nominated for over twenty awards in the travel writing industry, winning Travel Writer of the Year at the Travel Media Awards in 2020 and Specialist Travel Writer of the Year at the TravMedia Awards in April 2023. When he’s not travelling, he lives in Glasgow.
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