The Puffin Keeper

Michael Morpurgo is a popular author best known for the 2016 book, War Horse. His recent book, The Puffin Keeper, will attract further readers. The book tells the story of a lighthouse keeper on one of the lonely islets of the Isles of Scilly, southwest of mainland Cornwall. Told from the first-person perspective of Allen Williams, the book begins with the narrator recalling the time he and his mother were shipwrecked aboard the Pelican as they were sailing from New York to Liverpool. Fortunately for the five-year-old Allen, he and his mother and all the other passengers and crew were saved by the lighthouse keeper, Benjamin Postlethwaite.

The shipwreck took place in the 1920s, but most of the book is set years later, after a 17-year-old Allen reads an old magazine’s coverage of the hero rescuer’s refusal to accept a medal for his actions. In the absence of his deceased father, Allen has lived a difficult life with a heartbroken mother, a “somber and silent” grandmother, and a terrifying grandfather. He was then banished to boarding school where he endured further difficulties with stern teachers. When Allen leaves school, he decides to return to Puffin Island to visit his rescuer. Allen settles into a comfortable and relaxed routine with his new companion: “We talked, we fished, we painted. We became the best of friends.”

Although Puffin Island is the name of the island upon which Allen and Benjamin reside, puffins have not lived there for over a century. One day, however, Benjamin rescues an injured puffin, and he and Allen nurse the bird back to health before releasing it again. From time to time, the puffin returns to the islet, occasionally returning with other puffins. Unfortunately, Allen’s idyllic life is interrupted when he is called up to serve in World War II.

Morpurgo’s written text is accompanied by full colour illustrations by Benji Davies. The artist mostly employs a cool and muted colour palette suitable for the windswept maritime setting. Wind-driven waves and swirling clouds add action and movement to the artwork, as do the skilful depictions of the seabirds.

In places, Morpurgo writes beautifully. At times, the lyrical written text is a delight—especially in the first half of the book. Unfortunately, in the second half, there is too much telling about what happens and not enough showing through careful descriptions and explanations. For instance, Morpurgo merely provides a brief overview of Allen’s war service and time as a prisoner of war. Too many things are left unsaid. It seems unlikely Allen would choose a life confined to Puffin Island when he seeks release from the restrictions of boarding school. There is little explanation of why the solitary Benjamin welcomes Allen to live with him. The welcome seems improbable. “Only old Ben lives on Puffin Island,” Allen was told, “And he won’t welcome you neither. Don’t say too much. Grumpy old so-and-so, he is.” More details would have added length to the work, but it would also have improved the book’s quality and helped the reader to invest in the life of the protagonist more fully. What is here is good, but there was scope for much more.

The Puffin Keeper is dedicated to Allen Williams Lane, Morpurgo’s father-in-law. Lane was the founder of Penguin Books. Since 1940, Puffin Books has been a children’s imprint of Penguin, with the first Puffin titles published for children evacuated from London and other British cities bombed during the Second World War. Hence, this tribute to Sir Allen Lane through the central role of puffins as a symbol of healing and renewal on Puffin Island.

Within the pages of The Puffin Keeper, there is much to like. It is an interesting story generally well told and nicely illustrated. Further detail would have likely increased the age of the target audience for the book; however, further detail and development would have enhanced the story.