Larry the Penguin Searches for the Meaning of Life

by Charles W. Belser

Larry the Penguin is often humorous, entertaining, yet deeply philosophical, satirical, iconoclastic, emotional, and a sure to be controversial adventure leading to the discovery of the meaning of life. Larry is a young penguin on a secret quest for the meaning of life that teams up with a lost polar bear named Marsha who has walked halfway around the world searching for her destiny. Captured by a scientist, the unusual pair is transported to a zoo in Alaska where the scientist's dying six-year-old son frees them from captivity and joins their search. Readers are taken on an often humorous, yet deeply philosophical, satirical, iconoclastic, emotional, and sure to be controversial adventure leading to the discovery of the Round Song and the secret of life. This unusual novel isn t for children. Orbiting the story of Larry's search for life's meaning are a tragedy at sea, cynical religious leaders, a beauty queen, a late night ride in a hearse behind a coffin, a dead war hero, a police investigation, a married couple's mutual betrayal, wolves howling at the moon, Santa Claus revealing the secret of reality, a ghostly little girl, the death of a child, a suicide, and a song that prevents the universe from unraveling. Larry the Penguin is often humorous, entertaining, yet deeply philosophical, satirical, iconoclastic, emotional, and a sure to be controversial adventure leading to the discovery of the meaning of life. Larry is a young penguin on a secret quest for the meaning of life that teams up with a lost polar bear named Marsha who has walked halfway around the world searching for her destiny. Captured by a scientist, the unusual pair is transported to a zoo in Alaska where the scientist s dying six-year-old son frees them from captivity and joins their search. Readers are taken on an often humorous, yet deeply philosophical, satirical, iconoclastic, emotional, and sure to be controversial adventure leading to the discovery of the Round Song and the secret of life. This unusual novel isn t for children. Orbiting the story of Larry s search for life s meaning are a tragedy at sea, cynical religious leaders, a beauty queen, a late night ride in a hearse behind a coffin, a dead war hero, a police investigation, a married couple s mutual betrayal, wolves howling at the moon, Santa Claus revealing the secret of reality, a ghostly little girl, the death of a child, a suicide, and a song that prevents the universe from unraveling. Richard Dawkins, author of the best seller The God Delusion , has added this wonderful book to his personal library. Larry Searches for the Meaning of Life is not for children; it's for thinking adults who aren't afraid to question their own deeply-held beliefs. The powerful story contained within touches on the issues of our time. Scanning from the deck of his expedition's ship, Dr. Scott Price can't believe his eyes when he spots a polar bear in the Antarctic. His colleagues worry he is cracking after receiving news from his 6-year-old son is dying and his wife wants a divorce. Scott, a Christian fundamentalist, refuses to allow a stem cell transplant to treat the boy's illness, insisting that God will heal the child. The line between the 'living' and 'non-living' vanishes when this amazing novel shows you a unique way to view reality.

374 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Timothy Jenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Atheist Parable

I really enjoyed this book. As a person that has read a lot about philosophy and religion, it offered interesting perspectives on life's big questions. It took a very scientific and Taoist view of the universe. Taoist in its respect for nature and that the best way to live is in harmony with nature rather than against it. That point was best brought home by its pro-environmental message, that if we don't treat the earth with respect it won't treat us with respect.

The real fun and unique perspective the story offered was seeing the world through the eyes of its animal characters. Their views on death, I found comforting. I also felt a real sense of injustice in that by destroying the environment humans are not only hurting themselves, but actually have a choice to quit doing it. Whereas the animals aren't given that choice and have to suffer and in most every case suffer far more than we do, for the stupid choices made by us bonkers (humans in animal speak.)

As an aside I'd like to speculate where the author may have gotten some of his ideas from. Mainly I'm talking about "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" the movie which ends with a similar message around a camp fire. There were many funny moments, one that sticks out. is where the human protagonist Scott is talking to a church congregation, and I paraphrase I'd like to think God made our heads for something other than growing hair on top of it. I can see why many people would be offended by this book, particularly fans of the former president Bush, Sarah Palin, and those who hold strong Christian beliefs. If you're a free thinker or a non-believer you'll probably find something to like in this book.

[Charles W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've ever written!

[jayrt · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favorite books based on rereads. for no (conscious) reason, i keep going back to this rich, adventurous book (you know like when you mindlessly pick a song/artist from your ipod classic: yea mine’s bob dylan)

it’s full of skepticism, friendship, purpose, and innocence (and much more, not excluding religion and the meaning of life—and no it’s not 42).

give it a try, it reads on many levels from a good story to an intellectual journey.

[Nklein98 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read that also gave me occasions to pause and do a little soul searching on my own. Larry the Penguin is a wonderful "hero" who goes on a journey to find the meaning of life. Along the way he meets Marsha, the polar bear, who becomes his friend and shares the physical and spiritual trip. Although others in Amazon reviews found the author too critical of Christians and their Christianity, I thought he was only condemning those beliefs that are so rigid that one can't think outside that mindset.
Overall a good book that may inspire the reader to start looking for the ice chutes of life and maybe finding that there is more to life than one thought.

[Bob Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, yet not very well written. It's rather simplistic plot carried me along though it was a bit like a trashy soap opera.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, sad, thought provoking.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I really did, but the longer I read it, the less I liked it and by the very end my final thought was...MEH. Not worth it.