It was some big beano at the library in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) where my father worked around 1960, heralding the appearance of a number of published titles, including ‘The Doubtful Guest’ by Edward Gorey. The story in question featured a penguin-like character with a wavy university-style scarf, who became a long-staying guest at an aristocratic household, finding himself in a strange netherworld.
At the time, my father not only gave me a copy of Gorey’s book but also a miniature penguin (a toy, not a live creature) and a large poster featuring another penguin. These gifts were likely connected with a well-known publishing house that uses this birdlike motif as its logo. At about five years old, I was captivated by these penguin-themed gifts, and ‘The Doubtful Guest’ became my first grown-up book. I was thrilled, but I confess I loved it more for the quirky illustrations than the storyline which, although aimed at children, was too advanced for my young mind.