Hazel Prior is a British novelist renowned for her heartwarming and uplifting contemporary fiction. Her works often feature compelling older protagonists, unique settings, and explore themes of connection, community, and finding purpose later in life. She achieved international recognition with her novel Away with the Penguins, which was published as How the Penguins Saved Veronica in the United States.
Biography and Background Prior resides on Exmoor in the United Kingdom, a landscape that occasionally inspires the settings and atmosphere within her stories. Prior to her career as a full-time novelist, she had a varied professional background, including working as a journalist and as a harpist. Her transition into novel writing occurred later in her career, leading to a string of successful publications.
Literary Career and Themes Prior's novels are distinguished by their gentle humor, emotional depth, and a strong emphasis on character development. A prominent theme in her work is the exploration of loneliness and the unexpected formation of bonds and surrogate families among individuals. Animals, particularly penguins, play a significant and often central role in some of her most popular novels, acting as catalysts for personal growth and emotional transformation for her human characters. Her writing style is generally regarded as optimistic and comforting, providing readers with stories that are both moving and hopeful. Her books have been translated into multiple languages, reaching a global audience.
Bibliography
- Ella All-American (2018)
- Away with the Penguins (2020) (also known as How the Penguins Saved Veronica)
- Call of the Penguins (2021)
- P.S. Come to My Party (2022)
- Lost Dogs and Lonely Hearts (2023)