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A Sailor, a Chicken, an Incredible Voyage: The Seafaring Adventures of Guirec and Monique
Jeune Breton qui n’a jamais connu d’autre terrain de jeux que l’océan, Guirec Soudée écume les mers du globe avec pour seule compagnie une poule, Monique.Ensemble, ils ont traversé l’Atlantique, rallié le Groenland, affronté 130 jours emprisonnés au cœur de la banquise, franchi le périlleux passage du Nord-Ouest, mis les voiles pour le Grand Sud, essuyé des tempêtes dans les plus extrêmes latitudes, passé le cap Horn, rejoint l’Antarctique avant d’amorcer un long retour jusqu’en Bretagne.L’histoire incroyable d’un garçon opiniâtre, qui n’attend pas que ses rêves se dessinent à l’horizon, et d’une poule, concentré de fantaisie et de courage, qui offre un œuf par jour à l’aventurier.
324 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
44 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
Guirec Soudée
18 books8 followersGuirec Soudée sails around the world on his yacht Yvinec accompanied by a red hen named Monique. At age 22, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean alone. At 23, he went 130 days without assistance after being stuck in ice near Greenland. At 24, he became the youngest navigator in the world to cross the Northwest Passage alone! He and Monique are currently crossing the Pacific Ocean. They invite you to visit them online at guirecsoudee.com or on Instagram @guirecsoudeeadventure.
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October 13, 2021This is a cute little book that details the adventures of Guirec's sailing trip along with his chicken, Monique. I had mixed feelings about this one. Monique is the reason I wanted to read it and the parts of the story that include her are super cute.
However, I got really frustrated with Guirec. As much as he means well, the way he approached his adventure was one with a lot of white male privilege. I don't know in what world would you get upset that people don't come to your assistance when you have critical mishaps from your own lack of good planning, blatant lying at border customs, and lying your way into jobs.
The adventure parts in different cities/towns were quite fun otherwise. It's an easy read.
Thank you Greystone Books for sending me a copy to read and review.
However, I got really frustrated with Guirec. As much as he means well, the way he approached his adventure was one with a lot of white male privilege. I don't know in what world would you get upset that people don't come to your assistance when you have critical mishaps from your own lack of good planning, blatant lying at border customs, and lying your way into jobs.
The adventure parts in different cities/towns were quite fun otherwise. It's an easy read.
Thank you Greystone Books for sending me a copy to read and review.
June 1, 2021
I found this travel memoir both incredibly interesting and frustrating in equal measures.
The premise is at first unique and humorous - a man sailing around the world with only a chicken - but as the story continued I began to frown at how very stubborn and dangerous the undertaking was. Too many times, the author could have made a smarter and safer decision, and in nearly all instances the trip would have still gone ahead with only short delay but much more safety for all involved.
I have no care in the world than my sailboat and Monique. My family and friends are in my thoughts, of course; I love them, but I can’t say I miss them.
Since I was eighteen years old I’ve been showing up in new places without knowing anyone, and without any money. It’s a challenge every time, but I’ve always been lucky.
A stray line is tangled up in the propeller, and I have to dive down to untangle it. Barely an hour later, when I see fins cresting the surface beside the boat, I realize my decision to take a dip could have ended very badly.
I can also appreciate that he was very young when he set off on his adventure, though its hard to sympathize with a narrator who so regularly lies, deceives, and cons his way into ensuring his sailing trip goes forward. I will grant him that he is very honest in his detailing the journey throughout the whole book, so the readers get a front row show of him lying to potential employers to get a few bucks, lying to border and customs agents, and then just a few too many off the cuff comments about not missing his family and friends. His poor decision-making skills and impatience also landed him in some seriously dangerous situations early in the journey and I found that incredibly frustrating too. I’ve never met someone who would go sailing without any experience, and certainly not in dangerous areas and against advice from experienced people. Ah well, it made for an exciting story!
I enjoyed the descriptions each time we arrived somewhere new, and the descriptions around Greenland and in the Northwest Passage were beautiful. It was a treat to hear about these areas I will most probably never visit.
All things considered, this story was fun and if you enjoy reading about a journey that you’re very unlikely to ever make yourself, then this a great piece of adventure and escapism. It’s unlike any others I’ve yet come across, and there are a handful of tender moments of connection and personal growth for the author. I was particularly fond of his time in BC, Canada and the friendship he forged resulting in that stunning lifelong gift, and of course the time reflecting on his relationship with his father.
I also loved Monique and her tenacity. I truly hope that post-voyage she continued to be valued and cared fo as a companion and not just an egg-machine. It was sad to learn she had become depressed on two occasions and I hope she is doing well now seeing as Guirec is once again doing long-haul sea trips without her.
* Thank you to Edelweiss+ and GreyStone Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The premise is at first unique and humorous - a man sailing around the world with only a chicken - but as the story continued I began to frown at how very stubborn and dangerous the undertaking was. Too many times, the author could have made a smarter and safer decision, and in nearly all instances the trip would have still gone ahead with only short delay but much more safety for all involved.
I have no care in the world than my sailboat and Monique. My family and friends are in my thoughts, of course; I love them, but I can’t say I miss them.
Since I was eighteen years old I’ve been showing up in new places without knowing anyone, and without any money. It’s a challenge every time, but I’ve always been lucky.
A stray line is tangled up in the propeller, and I have to dive down to untangle it. Barely an hour later, when I see fins cresting the surface beside the boat, I realize my decision to take a dip could have ended very badly.
I can also appreciate that he was very young when he set off on his adventure, though its hard to sympathize with a narrator who so regularly lies, deceives, and cons his way into ensuring his sailing trip goes forward. I will grant him that he is very honest in his detailing the journey throughout the whole book, so the readers get a front row show of him lying to potential employers to get a few bucks, lying to border and customs agents, and then just a few too many off the cuff comments about not missing his family and friends. His poor decision-making skills and impatience also landed him in some seriously dangerous situations early in the journey and I found that incredibly frustrating too. I’ve never met someone who would go sailing without any experience, and certainly not in dangerous areas and against advice from experienced people. Ah well, it made for an exciting story!
I enjoyed the descriptions each time we arrived somewhere new, and the descriptions around Greenland and in the Northwest Passage were beautiful. It was a treat to hear about these areas I will most probably never visit.
All things considered, this story was fun and if you enjoy reading about a journey that you’re very unlikely to ever make yourself, then this a great piece of adventure and escapism. It’s unlike any others I’ve yet come across, and there are a handful of tender moments of connection and personal growth for the author. I was particularly fond of his time in BC, Canada and the friendship he forged resulting in that stunning lifelong gift, and of course the time reflecting on his relationship with his father.
I also loved Monique and her tenacity. I truly hope that post-voyage she continued to be valued and cared fo as a companion and not just an egg-machine. It was sad to learn she had become depressed on two occasions and I hope she is doing well now seeing as Guirec is once again doing long-haul sea trips without her.
* Thank you to Edelweiss+ and GreyStone Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2019
Un 4,5/5. Voilà une jolie épopée qui m'a fait voyager autour du monde ! Guirec et Monique sont bien sympas et leur périple est passionnant. Je n'ai pas mis 5 car je me suis un peu perdue dans les explications en rapport avec le bateau (les noms des différentes pièces de voilier, l'utilisation de certains appareils ou autres ... je ne fais pas de bateau donc je n'y connais strictement rien !)
October 26, 2021
Moi aussi j'ai soif d'aventures !
May 14, 2023
De altijd optimistische Guirec maakt na zijn eindexamen een reis over de wereld. Maar dat doet hij niet alleen, maar samen met zijn kip Monique. Een lekker vakantieboek.
The always optimistic Guirec takes a trip around the world after his final exams. But he doesn't do that alone, but together with his chicken Monique. A nice holiday book.
The always optimistic Guirec takes a trip around the world after his final exams. But he doesn't do that alone, but together with his chicken Monique. A nice holiday book.
November 30, 2021
4.5*
“If you stop to assess every single risk you encounter in life, you’ll never get anywhere or do anything”
Guirec Soudée sets off to circumnavigate the seven seas in a battered boat that gets him through his journeys on a wing and a prayer. Along the way he chums up with Monique, a brown hen who joins him on his boat in the Canaries. They become the firmest of companions and she drops an egg every couple of days which becomes essential nutrition for Guirec as the voyage progresses. She is the perfect partner for this expedition – I used to keep hens and know just what warm little souls they are.
“Sailing a boat really isn’t rocket science. All it takes is common sense, quick reflexes and a little creativity!” says Guirec when he has got into trouble with a flapping spinnaker.. I get the sense he really didn’t quite know the full ramifications of sailing solo over several years, yet he embraced his adventure with incredible determination and positivity. As a child he had studied his globe and knew on his home island of Yvinec in Brittany (after which he named his boat) that one day he would need to embark on a testing adventure.
He had in mind the places he wants to visit, culminating early on in Greenland, where he actively wants to get stuck for several months in the ice packs. There he hoped to find his sense of self and test is endurance skills. Once released he heads right around north and down to the South Pole. Helpfully there is a sketched map of his route.
Having his hen in tow meant that he had to be circumspect about customs in various small ports, some didn’t care, others cared more about the undeclared gun he had in his possession, designed to frighten off bears and he got a short jail term as a result.
He meets people, finds himself in impossible situations, and delights in most of the experiences his adventures offer him. He is sanguine and capable and can turn his hand to anything, it seems.
His story is told with a childlike awe, in simple prose that is both charming and beguiling and makes for a surprisingly gripping read. You are in for a treat.
I suspect the title could do with being a bit more, well, peppy.
Monique is still around but not travelling any more. Guirec has just returned from a solo trip and he and Monique are doing interviews together for this book!
“If you stop to assess every single risk you encounter in life, you’ll never get anywhere or do anything”
Guirec Soudée sets off to circumnavigate the seven seas in a battered boat that gets him through his journeys on a wing and a prayer. Along the way he chums up with Monique, a brown hen who joins him on his boat in the Canaries. They become the firmest of companions and she drops an egg every couple of days which becomes essential nutrition for Guirec as the voyage progresses. She is the perfect partner for this expedition – I used to keep hens and know just what warm little souls they are.
“Sailing a boat really isn’t rocket science. All it takes is common sense, quick reflexes and a little creativity!” says Guirec when he has got into trouble with a flapping spinnaker.. I get the sense he really didn’t quite know the full ramifications of sailing solo over several years, yet he embraced his adventure with incredible determination and positivity. As a child he had studied his globe and knew on his home island of Yvinec in Brittany (after which he named his boat) that one day he would need to embark on a testing adventure.
He had in mind the places he wants to visit, culminating early on in Greenland, where he actively wants to get stuck for several months in the ice packs. There he hoped to find his sense of self and test is endurance skills. Once released he heads right around north and down to the South Pole. Helpfully there is a sketched map of his route.
Having his hen in tow meant that he had to be circumspect about customs in various small ports, some didn’t care, others cared more about the undeclared gun he had in his possession, designed to frighten off bears and he got a short jail term as a result.
He meets people, finds himself in impossible situations, and delights in most of the experiences his adventures offer him. He is sanguine and capable and can turn his hand to anything, it seems.
His story is told with a childlike awe, in simple prose that is both charming and beguiling and makes for a surprisingly gripping read. You are in for a treat.
I suspect the title could do with being a bit more, well, peppy.
Monique is still around but not travelling any more. Guirec has just returned from a solo trip and he and Monique are doing interviews together for this book!
June 13, 2021
|3,5*|
Ein schöner Bericht über eine Bootsreise, die wohl nicht viele freiwillig unternommen hätten.
Eine etwas ungewöhnliche Weltreise mit dem Segelboot mit sehr viel Eis. So ganz kann ich noch nicht nachvollziehen, warum der Autor sich vor Grönland ein halbes Jahr einfrieren lassen hat. Ein ums andere Mal hat er sich das wohl selbst auch gefragt.
Mindestens zu Beginn seine Reise wirkt der Segler etwas unbedarft, teilweise auch ziemlich waghalsig. Und auch nachdem er mehr Erfahrung gesammelt hat, geht er immer noch ziemlich große Risiken ein, so wirkt es zumindest seinem Bericht nach. Also ein Ratgeber für das Fahrtensegeln ist das mit Sicherheit nicht.
Erfrischend und authentisch wirkt jedoch seine Freundschaft zu Monique, dem Huhn welches ihn auf dieser Reise begleitet. So ist es wohl auf dem Boot nicht ganz so einsam.
Ein bisschen komisch ist die Beziehung von Guirec zu Tieren für mich jedoch schon. Zu Monique hat er eine echte Freundschaft aufgebaut, ihre Eier isst er aber. Delfine und Wale zu essen ist manchmal nicht vertretbar, manchmal ist es ok (wenn es eben „Tradition“ ist). Fischen ist für ihn immer toll, auf eine Robbe möchte er aber nicht schießen. Naja, so ist das wahrscheinlich bei den meisten Menschen.
Ein schöner Bericht über eine Bootsreise, die wohl nicht viele freiwillig unternommen hätten.
Eine etwas ungewöhnliche Weltreise mit dem Segelboot mit sehr viel Eis. So ganz kann ich noch nicht nachvollziehen, warum der Autor sich vor Grönland ein halbes Jahr einfrieren lassen hat. Ein ums andere Mal hat er sich das wohl selbst auch gefragt.
Mindestens zu Beginn seine Reise wirkt der Segler etwas unbedarft, teilweise auch ziemlich waghalsig. Und auch nachdem er mehr Erfahrung gesammelt hat, geht er immer noch ziemlich große Risiken ein, so wirkt es zumindest seinem Bericht nach. Also ein Ratgeber für das Fahrtensegeln ist das mit Sicherheit nicht.
Erfrischend und authentisch wirkt jedoch seine Freundschaft zu Monique, dem Huhn welches ihn auf dieser Reise begleitet. So ist es wohl auf dem Boot nicht ganz so einsam.
Ein bisschen komisch ist die Beziehung von Guirec zu Tieren für mich jedoch schon. Zu Monique hat er eine echte Freundschaft aufgebaut, ihre Eier isst er aber. Delfine und Wale zu essen ist manchmal nicht vertretbar, manchmal ist es ok (wenn es eben „Tradition“ ist). Fischen ist für ihn immer toll, auf eine Robbe möchte er aber nicht schießen. Naja, so ist das wahrscheinlich bei den meisten Menschen.
October 20, 2021
What can I say?
I love chickens
I love people going on adventures
And I have a strange fascination for people exploring the cold cold places.
This book had all of them, yes that is true. This is a book about a guy sailing to Greenland with his pet chicken monique.
It's a cute heartwarming book. It shows how little prepared we have to be to survive if you have determination. Although it's not brillinatly written. But then again, that is not a must for travelogues if the travelling was so awesome.
4 stars for the guy who decided to take a chicken on a sailboat and managed to get one who liked sailing as much as he did!
I love chickens
I love people going on adventures
And I have a strange fascination for people exploring the cold cold places.
This book had all of them, yes that is true. This is a book about a guy sailing to Greenland with his pet chicken monique.
It's a cute heartwarming book. It shows how little prepared we have to be to survive if you have determination. Although it's not brillinatly written. But then again, that is not a must for travelogues if the travelling was so awesome.
4 stars for the guy who decided to take a chicken on a sailboat and managed to get one who liked sailing as much as he did!
March 1, 2025
An adventurous 20-something year old, a chicken and an old boat. A voyage towards the North Pole. What could go wrong?! The adventures of 45000 nautical miles are condensed into this fascinating travel journal by Guirec Soudée. A great read for anyone who's interested in travel writing and/or the sea in general. As predicted, he couldn't see the chicken as food after spending so many years with her as a companion...
July 21, 2025
Vrolijk geschreven en ongelooflijke avonturen. Roept drang op om het onbekende in te gaan.
April 8, 2024
This book is an interesting diary-like account of a Frenchman’s unlikely voyages in a small vessel alone with a chicken (!) across oceans and into the Arctic and Antarctic!
Guirec was a decent sailor and an adventurer but incredibly naive and very lucky if this account is remotely accurate. Repeatedly, he puts himself in incredible danger but somehow escapes with a lot of luck and help from kind strangers. It was a fun read while traveling across the Pacific but I was happy to be on a cruise ship!
Guirec was a decent sailor and an adventurer but incredibly naive and very lucky if this account is remotely accurate. Repeatedly, he puts himself in incredible danger but somehow escapes with a lot of luck and help from kind strangers. It was a fun read while traveling across the Pacific but I was happy to be on a cruise ship!
November 28, 2024
J'ai adoré je l'ai connu en classe 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽⛵⛵ Madeleine
May 8, 2022
Superbe récit d'une expérience incroyable. On voyage page après page.
March 18, 2024
Spannender und mitreißender Reisebericht.
May 15, 2021
Le récit d'un personnage antipathique aux pérégrinations insipides et dénuées de sens.
Pourquoi antipathique ? Parce qu'avoir recours au crowfunding pour acheter ordinateur, materiel photo et video, disques durs, drone et faire l'aller-retour Saint Barth/France me semble totalement amoral. Mentir systématiquement pour arriver à ses fins (achat du bateau, recherche de travail, etc.) affiche une absence totale de valeurs et véhicule un message néfaste et sans scrupule. Et j'en passe, je ne vais pas spoiler tout le livre.
Pourquoi insipide ? Car il s'agit bien ici d'un amas d'anecdotes sans objectif ou réflexion réel de la part de l'auteur, si ce n'est de se mettre en avant pour gonfler son égo et ajouter une croix à sa checklist. D'ailleurs, les interventions de Veronique de Bure pour mener à terme ce projet sont flagrantes tant la pauvreté et la lourdeur générale du texte sont pénibles. En effet, les remarques censément humoristiques se relèvent souvent sexistes et demontrent l'étroitesse d'esprit et l'ethnocentrisme de l'auteur.
Au final on se demande bien qui est le galliforme entre Monique et Guirec, au fil de cette croisière d'un jeune coq à qui l'on a donné des milliers d'euros pour aller frimer à l'international.
Pourquoi antipathique ? Parce qu'avoir recours au crowfunding pour acheter ordinateur, materiel photo et video, disques durs, drone et faire l'aller-retour Saint Barth/France me semble totalement amoral. Mentir systématiquement pour arriver à ses fins (achat du bateau, recherche de travail, etc.) affiche une absence totale de valeurs et véhicule un message néfaste et sans scrupule. Et j'en passe, je ne vais pas spoiler tout le livre.
Pourquoi insipide ? Car il s'agit bien ici d'un amas d'anecdotes sans objectif ou réflexion réel de la part de l'auteur, si ce n'est de se mettre en avant pour gonfler son égo et ajouter une croix à sa checklist. D'ailleurs, les interventions de Veronique de Bure pour mener à terme ce projet sont flagrantes tant la pauvreté et la lourdeur générale du texte sont pénibles. En effet, les remarques censément humoristiques se relèvent souvent sexistes et demontrent l'étroitesse d'esprit et l'ethnocentrisme de l'auteur.
Au final on se demande bien qui est le galliforme entre Monique et Guirec, au fil de cette croisière d'un jeune coq à qui l'on a donné des milliers d'euros pour aller frimer à l'international.
August 26, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. Despite the fact that I can't think of much worse than sailing round the world on a very small yacht which kept breaking down or losing essential bits, I found Guirec's chatty, informative style very enjoyable. I also really identified with all his adventures - and he had some pretty life-threatening experiences as well as the inevitable highs of spending time in some of the world's most dramatic and beautiful places.
However, the star of the show is undoubtedly Monique, a little red hen who he adopted in the Canary Islands and took on his voyage. This included over-wintering in Greenland, sailing the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and reaching the upper edges of Antarctica. And through it all, Monique carried on with total aplomb, laying an egg most days, catching flying fish on the deck, learning to swim and absolutely bonding with Guirec, to the extent that she became depressed when he spent an extended time away from her.
This is a great adventure story, and also a delightful love story between a human and a chicken, told without any sentimentality but with honesty and humour. Guirec later went on to row the Atlantic (without Monique who now lives on his home island of Yvinec in Brittany.) Highly recommended!
However, the star of the show is undoubtedly Monique, a little red hen who he adopted in the Canary Islands and took on his voyage. This included over-wintering in Greenland, sailing the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and reaching the upper edges of Antarctica. And through it all, Monique carried on with total aplomb, laying an egg most days, catching flying fish on the deck, learning to swim and absolutely bonding with Guirec, to the extent that she became depressed when he spent an extended time away from her.
This is a great adventure story, and also a delightful love story between a human and a chicken, told without any sentimentality but with honesty and humour. Guirec later went on to row the Atlantic (without Monique who now lives on his home island of Yvinec in Brittany.) Highly recommended!
July 17, 2019
4,5 || Quelle aventure incroyable.
Je me suis tellement attachée à Monique qu'il m'arrivait de prendre peur pour elle hahaha.
Seul petit bémol: c'était parfois un peu répétitif et avec une incohérence date à un endroit.
Je me suis tellement attachée à Monique qu'il m'arrivait de prendre peur pour elle hahaha.
Seul petit bémol: c'était parfois un peu répétitif et avec une incohérence date à un endroit.
November 23, 2023
[𝕦𝕟𝕓𝕖𝕫𝕒𝕙𝕝𝕥𝕖 𝕎𝕖𝕣𝕓𝕦𝕟𝕘]
𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕝: Seefahrt mit Huhn - Monique und ich und unsere außergewöhnliche Weltreise
𝔸𝕦𝕤 𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝔽𝕖𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕧𝕠𝕟: Guirec Soudée
𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕒𝕘: National Geographic
𝔾𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕟 𝕒𝕦𝕗: Deutsch
𝕌𝕖𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕥𝕫𝕥 𝕧𝕠𝕟: Barbara Neeb und Katharina Schmidt (aus dem Französischen)
𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕚 (𝕠𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕞𝕖𝕙𝕣) 𝕎𝕠𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕫𝕦𝕞 𝔹𝕦𝕔𝕙:
TeilweiseSpannend - TeilweiseLangweilig - IrgendwieInteressant
𝕀𝕟𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕥:
Eine Henne und ein junger Mann zusammen auf hoher See.
Beide mit wenig Segelerfahrung, machen sie sich auf, die Welt zu umsegeln.
𝕄𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕄𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕦𝕟𝕘:
Ich bin wirklich ein total anderer Mensch als Guirec Soudée. 🫣 Ich könnte niemals alles stehen und liegen lassen und mich so auf machen wie er. Deshalb fand ich es faszinierend, mit welcher Entschlossenheit der junge Mann seinen Weg geht (oder eher segelt). Dabei ist er nicht nur entschlossen, sondern auch ziemlich mutig, ja sogar leichtsinnig. 🤯
Ein wenig hat die Geschichte ja anfangs an Vaiana erinnert. Und einige der beschriebenen Szenen hätten auch aus einem Film stammen können.
Was die Sache mit den Huhn angeht, bin ich ein wenig hin und her gerissen. 😅 Offenbar war es für das Tier nicht so schlimm, an Bord zu sein, aber das hätte auch ganz anders ausgehen können. 🫣
Im Buch wechseln sich langweilige Abschnitte und spannende Ereignisse ziemlich gut ab.
Mit ganz vielen der Bootsbegriffe könnte ich wenig anfangen, sodass ich mich oft gefragt habe, was mir das alles sagen soll. 😂 Aber ein bisschen googeln und ausblenden, dass ich das nicht verstanden habe, hat mir sehr weitergeholfen.
Alleine hätte ich das Buch sicher nicht gelesen, aber es war definitiv mal was anderes und hat mich gut unterhalten. 😊
𝕃𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕗𝕖𝕙𝕝𝕦𝕟𝕘?
Ihr mögt ungewöhnliche Reiseberichte? Dann seid ihr hier richtig.
𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕃𝕚𝕔𝕖𝕪 ☘️
𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕝: Seefahrt mit Huhn - Monique und ich und unsere außergewöhnliche Weltreise
𝔸𝕦𝕤 𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝔽𝕖𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕧𝕠𝕟: Guirec Soudée
𝕍𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕒𝕘: National Geographic
𝔾𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕟 𝕒𝕦𝕗: Deutsch
𝕌𝕖𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕤𝕖𝕥𝕫𝕥 𝕧𝕠𝕟: Barbara Neeb und Katharina Schmidt (aus dem Französischen)
𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕚 (𝕠𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕞𝕖𝕙𝕣) 𝕎𝕠𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕫𝕦𝕞 𝔹𝕦𝕔𝕙:
TeilweiseSpannend - TeilweiseLangweilig - IrgendwieInteressant
𝕀𝕟𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕥:
Eine Henne und ein junger Mann zusammen auf hoher See.
Beide mit wenig Segelerfahrung, machen sie sich auf, die Welt zu umsegeln.
𝕄𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕄𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕦𝕟𝕘:
Ich bin wirklich ein total anderer Mensch als Guirec Soudée. 🫣 Ich könnte niemals alles stehen und liegen lassen und mich so auf machen wie er. Deshalb fand ich es faszinierend, mit welcher Entschlossenheit der junge Mann seinen Weg geht (oder eher segelt). Dabei ist er nicht nur entschlossen, sondern auch ziemlich mutig, ja sogar leichtsinnig. 🤯
Ein wenig hat die Geschichte ja anfangs an Vaiana erinnert. Und einige der beschriebenen Szenen hätten auch aus einem Film stammen können.
Was die Sache mit den Huhn angeht, bin ich ein wenig hin und her gerissen. 😅 Offenbar war es für das Tier nicht so schlimm, an Bord zu sein, aber das hätte auch ganz anders ausgehen können. 🫣
Im Buch wechseln sich langweilige Abschnitte und spannende Ereignisse ziemlich gut ab.
Mit ganz vielen der Bootsbegriffe könnte ich wenig anfangen, sodass ich mich oft gefragt habe, was mir das alles sagen soll. 😂 Aber ein bisschen googeln und ausblenden, dass ich das nicht verstanden habe, hat mir sehr weitergeholfen.
Alleine hätte ich das Buch sicher nicht gelesen, aber es war definitiv mal was anderes und hat mich gut unterhalten. 😊
𝕃𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕗𝕖𝕙𝕝𝕦𝕟𝕘?
Ihr mögt ungewöhnliche Reiseberichte? Dann seid ihr hier richtig.
𝔼𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕃𝕚𝕔𝕖𝕪 ☘️
March 16, 2022
There seems to be a surge of books about young men and their animal companions. This one may be the most unique, and I did enjoy it. To me, the most gripping sections by far were those where Guirec and Monique overwintered in the Arctic near Greenland. There was a lot of emotion (due to a sad event I'll try not to spoil) and some of the more vivid descriptions of the landscape and the problems of being aboard a small boat and quite isolated from any help.
That said, great literature this is not. The tone is warm and breezy and enthusiastic and Guirec and Monique are pleasant companions. Monique is one feisty little bird!
But I have to agree with some of the other reviewers. I don't understand why Guirec sometimes tells unnecessary lies. I don't understand why he "burns his bridges" in this way. And I don't understand why he refuses to listen to the good advice of Native people in Greenland. Further, I would have liked a better sense of some of the people he met and the landscapes and seascapes he witnessed. All these things distanced me a bit from what should have been a gripping adventure.
That said, great literature this is not. The tone is warm and breezy and enthusiastic and Guirec and Monique are pleasant companions. Monique is one feisty little bird!
But I have to agree with some of the other reviewers. I don't understand why Guirec sometimes tells unnecessary lies. I don't understand why he "burns his bridges" in this way. And I don't understand why he refuses to listen to the good advice of Native people in Greenland. Further, I would have liked a better sense of some of the people he met and the landscapes and seascapes he witnessed. All these things distanced me a bit from what should have been a gripping adventure.
September 26, 2023
The story itself is fascinating and a wild real-life adventure which I love. But I felt the actual storytelling odd. It may be bc it's been translated into English from French and some thing may just not translate well. But I also felt like the pacing and time sequences were hard to follow. The beginning had great detail with dates, etc. And by the end of the book we covered almost a year in the last 20 pages or so. There's only one overview type map at the beginning and for the intriqucies of this massive trip I was constantly looking up these places online. I also wished there were more pictures of the fantastic places he went. He talks about having a large social media following who were also helping to fund the trip, but he always seemed to be broke and kinda whiney about it along with things always breaking down and not being able to afford to fix them. And also a serious issue with getting permits in the countries he was visiting as well as just paying for a boat slip or harbor time. The concept and adventure itself really is cool. But I found myself more annoyed at the guy than liking him by the end of the book. I wish it had been written better.
January 31, 2022
Pretty enjoyable light read. I'd recommend this as a palate cleanser after you've just finished something a little denser.
Monique the chicken largely serves as the selling point of this book and provides the humor and lightheartedness that make this book enjoyable. Guirec is very charismatic and good natured. As he experiences turbulent moments and frustrations on his voyage, you find yourself frustrated with everything that goes wrong with his ship.
Sometimes Guirec could be a bit frustrating due to his naivete and inexperience. However, that's likely to be expected since it's not like he had ever done a voyage like this before.
I felt that the time spent camped out near Greenland could've been condensed. This section accounts for nearly a quarter of the book and gets tiring. I would've expanded more on his experiences during his layovers and gotten a bit more descriptive in that regard.
This was still enjoyable enough that if Guirec wrote a book about another voyage I'd definitely read it.
Monique the chicken largely serves as the selling point of this book and provides the humor and lightheartedness that make this book enjoyable. Guirec is very charismatic and good natured. As he experiences turbulent moments and frustrations on his voyage, you find yourself frustrated with everything that goes wrong with his ship.
Sometimes Guirec could be a bit frustrating due to his naivete and inexperience. However, that's likely to be expected since it's not like he had ever done a voyage like this before.
I felt that the time spent camped out near Greenland could've been condensed. This section accounts for nearly a quarter of the book and gets tiring. I would've expanded more on his experiences during his layovers and gotten a bit more descriptive in that regard.
This was still enjoyable enough that if Guirec wrote a book about another voyage I'd definitely read it.
December 6, 2020
Ce livre a été mon livre de "salles d'attente" pendant quelques mois, et à vrai dire ça a été difficile parce que je voulais absolument savoir la suite et ne pas attendre.
J'ai tout simplement adoré, les descriptions de paysage, les réflexions de Guirec autour de la nature, de ce qu'on en fait, le respect des croyances et des cultures qu'on ne rencontre pas toujours chez les personnes qui voyagent et qui est présent ici. Il va avec humilité à la rencontre des gens, et pas en conquérant blanc qui a tout à leur apprendre, ou en en parlant un peu comme de "sous culture", et c'est très appréciable, ce ne sont pas tous les voyageurs qui ont cette mentalité de traiter les gens d'égal à égal malheureusement.
Je suis désormais une grande fan de Monique <3
J'ai mis seulement 4 étoiles car j'aurais aimé un petit schéma au début du livre ou une petite explication des termes techniques, parfois j'étais un peu perdue. Mais si j'avais pu j'aurais mis 4,75 étoiles disons :p
J'ai tout simplement adoré, les descriptions de paysage, les réflexions de Guirec autour de la nature, de ce qu'on en fait, le respect des croyances et des cultures qu'on ne rencontre pas toujours chez les personnes qui voyagent et qui est présent ici. Il va avec humilité à la rencontre des gens, et pas en conquérant blanc qui a tout à leur apprendre, ou en en parlant un peu comme de "sous culture", et c'est très appréciable, ce ne sont pas tous les voyageurs qui ont cette mentalité de traiter les gens d'égal à égal malheureusement.
Je suis désormais une grande fan de Monique <3
J'ai mis seulement 4 étoiles car j'aurais aimé un petit schéma au début du livre ou une petite explication des termes techniques, parfois j'étais un peu perdue. Mais si j'avais pu j'aurais mis 4,75 étoiles disons :p
July 27, 2025
Le premier bouquin que j'ai commencé en français — clairement pas le premier que j'ai fini — mon dieu, il y a tellement d'argot et de termes techniques... Pas très pratique pour quelqu’un qui est juste en train d’apprendre la langue. Mais ce livre est la raison pour laquelle j’ai commencé à faire de la navigation. J’aime cette mentalité "fuck it, let’s go", quoique parfois un peu dangereuse.
Dans la deuxième moitié, les petits boulots qu’il doit faire pour financer son aventure m’ont un peu manqué. Je ne l’envie pas quand il trouve des sponsors et gagne de l’argent avec ses photos et les réseaux sociaux, mais les petits récits où il vend des vitres à Paris ou bosse comme prof de planche étaient toujours très amusants. :)
Dans la deuxième moitié, les petits boulots qu’il doit faire pour financer son aventure m’ont un peu manqué. Je ne l’envie pas quand il trouve des sponsors et gagne de l’argent avec ses photos et les réseaux sociaux, mais les petits récits où il vend des vitres à Paris ou bosse comme prof de planche étaient toujours très amusants. :)
November 14, 2021
J’ai adoré ce récit, et la décision de partir en voilier de ce jeune qui n’a jamais navigué, sur un bateau plein de trous …
Lorsqu’on se lance dans une aventure, on peut être arrêté par toutes sortes de bonnes raisons, logiques, raisonnables, et en l’occurrence, ne pas savoir naviguer et avoir un bateau plein de trous dans la coque semblent de bonnes raisons de ne pas traverser l’Altlantique et partir vers le pôle nord. Guirec considère que s’il s’arrête à ce genre de détails il ne partira jamais, et il part !
Emmener une poule à bord, ça ne semble pas non plus indispensable…
Une belle aventure, inspirante
Lorsqu’on se lance dans une aventure, on peut être arrêté par toutes sortes de bonnes raisons, logiques, raisonnables, et en l’occurrence, ne pas savoir naviguer et avoir un bateau plein de trous dans la coque semblent de bonnes raisons de ne pas traverser l’Altlantique et partir vers le pôle nord. Guirec considère que s’il s’arrête à ce genre de détails il ne partira jamais, et il part !
Emmener une poule à bord, ça ne semble pas non plus indispensable…
Une belle aventure, inspirante
July 24, 2022
Intéressant; mais le mec est totalement taré : je lisais et je me disais heureusement que je suis sur la terre ferme ^^. En plus, son aventure ne me parait pas hyper écologique vu le nombre de bout de matériels qu'il perd dans l'océan et le nombre de pièces qu'il change... je sais pas faudrait comparer à la vie à terre.
Après il y a des trucs que j'aurais pas devinait : par exemple je voyais le pôle sud comme un endroit plutôt calme, je ne pensais pas non plus que la fonte de la banquise était dangereuse pour un bateau.
Après c'est aussi une aventure très masculine où on ne croise que des hommes : dur de s'y retrouver en temps que femme.
Après il y a des trucs que j'aurais pas devinait : par exemple je voyais le pôle sud comme un endroit plutôt calme, je ne pensais pas non plus que la fonte de la banquise était dangereuse pour un bateau.
Après c'est aussi une aventure très masculine où on ne croise que des hommes : dur de s'y retrouver en temps que femme.
November 17, 2023
Een fantastisch verhaal is het zeker temeer als je de YouTube filmpjes kent van Guirec. Zo'n onderneming doe je waarschijnlijk alleen als je jong en onbezonnen bent. Hoogtepunten voor mij het zich laten invriezen bij Groenland, de noordwest passage boven Canada, en de beschrijvingen van de Screaming Sixties (moeilijk voorstelbaar dat hij daar ongeschonden uitgekomen is). En de kip Monique is de de ster van het verhaal. Als je haar niet op YouTube in Groenland hebt gezien mis je iets.
Inmiddels is Guirec schipper op een Imoca en neemt deel aan de Transat Jacques Vabre. Zeilen heeft hij inmiddels dus meer dan onder de knie.
Inmiddels is Guirec schipper op een Imoca en neemt deel aan de Transat Jacques Vabre. Zeilen heeft hij inmiddels dus meer dan onder de knie.
November 9, 2023
Wonderful listen
I love chickens, had them when we used to live in NZ. So the cover is what drew me to this tale. I listened to this book in the Dutch autumn, rain streaming down my face during my daily walks but I counted myself lucky as I listened to Guirec and Mono facing icebergs approaching, the roaring whatevers when the boat was more like a submarine and then there they are, giving surfing lessons on an idyllic island in the tropics. This book is amazing and inspiring. Follow your own heart, it doesn't have to be sailing. Love it.
I love chickens, had them when we used to live in NZ. So the cover is what drew me to this tale. I listened to this book in the Dutch autumn, rain streaming down my face during my daily walks but I counted myself lucky as I listened to Guirec and Mono facing icebergs approaching, the roaring whatevers when the boat was more like a submarine and then there they are, giving surfing lessons on an idyllic island in the tropics. This book is amazing and inspiring. Follow your own heart, it doesn't have to be sailing. Love it.
April 18, 2025
I loved this sweet story about a young French man's sailing adventures -- with a live chicken as his traveling companion. It's light, humorous, engaging, heartwarming, and often amazing; and he can be forgiven for his sometimes hair-brained decisions and naivete because he's a nice guy with a positive outlook (who survived some pretty desperate situations). I loved reading about all the places they went and adventures they had together, and Guirec and Monique stayed with me long after finishing the book -- unique!
July 10, 2022
This is a very entertaining book. The author is no poet, but he has an amazing story that he shares effectively with his audience. The only reason I give this a 4 and not a 5 is because it gets a bit repetitive at times. Also he uses a ton of sailboat jargon. Yes, he includes a glossary, but I don’t enjoy having to actually go and read a glossary in order to fully understand a book. Call me spoiled I guess 🤷🏻♀️.
October 13, 2023
Being a certified RYA Coastal Skipper and having sailed for 35 years, Guirec did everything you shouldn’t do when sailing round the world. At 21 clearly he was adventurous and fearless and had the journey of a lifetime.
I have read many books of people sailing around the world but this one was fascinating and difficult to put down.
I nearly gave it 5 stars but have to admit I was a little disappointed with the lack of pictures that the publisher could have done.
You couldn’t write a review without mentioning the unlikely companion that kept him company in days if 40 degree heat and minus 39 degree cold in Greenland. Dear Monique gave him and egg every day which normal pets could not do.
I have read many books of people sailing around the world but this one was fascinating and difficult to put down.
I nearly gave it 5 stars but have to admit I was a little disappointed with the lack of pictures that the publisher could have done.
You couldn’t write a review without mentioning the unlikely companion that kept him company in days if 40 degree heat and minus 39 degree cold in Greenland. Dear Monique gave him and egg every day which normal pets could not do.
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