A Sailor, a Chicken, an Incredible Voyage - by Guirec Soudée

About the Book

Translation of: Le monde selon Guirec et Monique.

Book Synopsis

"Exciting, funny, and occasionally heart-stopping ... readers can stay home and dry, but feel like they are on the high seas."-BOOKLIST

A man and his chicken sail 45,000 nautical miles in this powerful story of following your dreams no matter what stands in your way.

When Guirec Soudéeacute;e was 21 years old, he bought a 30-foot sailboat and set out across the Atlantic, despite having only sailed a dinghy before.

His only companion? His plucky pet hen, Monique.

Guirec never intended to sail the world with a chicken, but after reaching the Caribbean, he and Monique made for Greenland--and emerged from the pack ice 100 days later.

Their next goal? San Francisco. Then, Antarctica. But first, could they navigate the treacherous Northwest Passage? One thing was for sure: Monique would help her trusty skipper by laying an egg!

• Heart-stopping adventure story: navigating treacherous icebergs with a chicken on the mast is just one of many nail-biting maneuvers from this action-packed book.
• Perfect for readers of The Art of Racing in the Rain: Guirec and Monique's bond is unlike anything you've ever seen before.
• Inspirational: Guirec shows that all you have to do is believe to achieve something big.
• Photographs and maps: show the epic voyage and provide breaks in the text.

Guirec and Monique's unbelievable journey won the hearts of people all over the world and caused a social media frenzy when it happened. Now, in their long-awaited first book, readers will uncover their gripping voyage from start to finish.

Review Quotes

"Soudéeacute;e's deeply adventurous spirit finds a home at sea. From Arctic pack ice to the Roaring Forties, this young man and his chicken show the world what's possible with a little boat and a big dream."
-Caroline Van Hemert, author of The Sun is a Compass

"Guirec Soudée's page-turning tale of his round-the-world ocean adventure is a delight. Setting off with no solo sailing experience whatsoever, he learns by doing--crossing the Atlantic, overwintering alone in Greenland's profound pack ice, then sailing the length of the Pacific to survive raging storms and rogue icebergs in Antarctica. Add Monique, his unlikely but charming feathered first mate, and you're reminded that our dreams are in fact possible if we dare to risk following them."
--Kim Brown Seely, author of Uncharted

"If madcap single-handed sailing (with a chicken) is your thing, then you'll love the hair-raising adventures of Guirec Soudée."
--John Krestchmer, author of Sailing to the Edge of Time and Flirting with Mermaids

"Don't mistake Guirec Soudee's youthful adventures for just another sailing book--this is a coming-of-age story for our times. Guirec writes with an inspiring mix of humility and wonder as he and Monique complete an epic voyage that takes them to extreme latitudes, propelled by a wellspring of courage--and revealing a humanity that fills you with joy. An incredible book."
--John Krestchmer, author of Sailing to the Edge of Time and Flirting with Mermaids

"Guirec's thirst for adventure is infectious, yet this intrepid Breton remains humble despite his extraordinary achievements, writing with both humor and good grace. A clucking good read!"
--Emma Bamford, author of Casting Off and Untie the Lines

"Funny, charming and endearing, this gem of a book immerses you into the world of a true adventurer. A classic high-seas yarn that you never want to end.."
--Frank Wolf, adventurer and author of Lines on a Map

"I greatly enjoyed reading this. It overflows with the author's good humor and his ability to always come up smiling, whatever the oceans of the world throw at him. For a novice to achieve a voyage like this is truly remarkable."
--Paul Heiney, broadcaster and author of One Wild Song: A Voyage in a Lost Son's Wake

About the Author

Guirec Soudée's epic sailing journey with his pet hen, Monique, has buoyed people's spirits the world over, and Guirec is often invited to speak and give interviews about what he learned along the way. He lives in Brittany, France. IG: @guirecsoudeeadventure

Monique is a copper-colored hen who enjoys sliding on ice and watching flying fish. Based in Brittany, Monique remains the only hen in the world who knows how to sail.