How the Penguins Saved Veronica

Patrick is Veronica’s grandson, but he doesn’t learn this until he is 27 years old. Patrick is dealing with a recent breakup and is depicted as a slacker at the beginning of the novel. His past contains as much grief as Veronica’s: His father abandoned the family very early, and Patrick’s mother died by suicide when he was only six. A series of foster homes have left Patrick without any clear sense of direction in life. He works part-time as a bicycle repairman and lives off government benefits and his friend (and employer) Gav’s goodwill.

Once Veronica seeks him out, Patrick’s life changes in unforeseen ways. Patrick isn’t sure what Veronica really wants but entertains her desire to meet. As the novel progresses, he realizes that he wants to make a good impression on Veronica and learn more about his family. He reads her diaries, which give him a glimpse into Veronica’s inner world, and he develops a fondness for her. When she falls ill, Patrick travels to Antarctica to be with her. While there, his mechanical aptitude earns him the gratitude of the research team. He also develops a romantic relationship with Terry and finds a new purpose in life as a valued member of the penguin research team.

Through Veronica, Patrick finds family, meaning, and home. He once numbed his pain through alcohol and drug use, but he changes his actions and outlook on life once his bond with his grandmother strengthens. In his determination to be by her side when she falls deathly ill, he charts a new course for himself. His dedication allows him to meet Terry, his eventual love interest, and he becomes a useful part of the Antarctica team, which will eventually become his team and his home base. Patrick finds family due to his willingness to trust and honor others.

Terry is a young researcher who collects data about the penguins on Locket Island. She is well-meaning and kindhearted. Of the three researchers, she is the most approachable and forms a friendship with Veronica. Terry writes a penguin blog that is read by a small following, and she incorporates photos of Veronica into her posts, generating more interest in the research project.

Unlike her colleagues, Terry is willing to help Veronica save an orphaned penguin chick. When Patrick arrives, she becomes romantically involved with him, but her mission in life is to save penguins. The ideal solution presents itself when Patrick agrees to stay in Antarctica to help the project and develop a long-term relationship with Terry.

Eileen is Veronica’s housekeeper. She has a home and husband of her own but comes in daily to help Veronica. Eileen worries about Veronica’s isolation and acts as the go-between to convey messages among the penguin researchers, Patrick, and Veronica. Since Veronica refuses to master the internet, Eileen types her handwritten messages and sends them via email to all the parties involved. She is overjoyed when Veronica finds a new sense of purpose in life and is reunited with her grandson.

Dietrich is the leader of the penguin research team. He is Austrian and has a wife and three children back home, whom he misses very much. He is older than Terry and Mike, which gives him a different perspective on life in the novel. Although initially opposed to Veronica’s visit to Locket Island, he eventually appreciates her presence and her generous financial support. At the end of the novel, Dietrich decides to return to his family in Austria and puts Terry in charge of the field team.

Mike is a know-it-all biochemist who is the third member of the penguin team. He is the most hostile to Veronica’s presence on the island and makes no secret of his contempt for her. Over the course of the story, his attitude softens a bit, though he tries to maintain a businesslike demeanor most of the time. Eventually, he even comes to like the penguin chick that he initially wanted to abandon. Although he seems to have a crush on Terry, he doesn’t interfere when she shows a liking for Patrick instead.

Patrick is the original name given to the orphaned penguin chick that Veronica adopts. He becomes vital to her emotional recovery since he is the first creature that she has cared for in many decades. When Veronica’s grandson arrives on the island, the chick’s name is changed to Pip to avoid confusion. At the end of the story, he is strong enough to be released back into the wild to rejoin his penguin colony.

Margaret is Veronica’s Bible-quoting, sanctimonious great-aunt. She is cold and emotionally distant but allows Veronica to stay with her in Derbyshire during the London blitz to keep her out of harm’s way. Once Aunt Margaret learns that Veronica is pregnant, she rejects her completely and sends her to live in a convent.

Giovanni is a handsome 18-year-old Italian prisoner of war who is being held in Derbyshire, where he meets the 15-year-old Veronica. They soon fall in love and carry on a secret affair. Giovanni is transferred to another location and is taken away before he even learns that Veronica is pregnant with his child. At the end of the novel, we get a glimpse of Giovanni on his deathbed in Italy, thinking about the English girl he loved and lost.

Gavin is Patrick’s best friend and employer. He owns the bicycle shop where Patrick works part-time. In addition to helping Patrick with his personal problems and lending him money, Gavin, or Gav, is mourning the recent loss of his mother. His daughter Daisy also has cancer. Despite these challenges, Gav maintains a positive attitude and is a source of emotional support for Patrick. At the end of the novel, Gav and his family are invited to stay at Veronica’s estate for an extended visit.