Private Peaceful

Longer novels from Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo are always a particular treat, and Private Peaceful is no exception. Tragic, surprising and engaging in equal measures, Morpurgo's novel charts both the childhood of young Thomas Peaceful in the early years of the 20th century, and his eventual underage enlistment in the British army to help fight the First World War.

It is, above all, a poignant story of war and about all of its many life-changing effects on those involved--also the brutality of the commanding regimes and the relentless squalor of trench warfare. It's not for the squeamish--Morpurgo tells it like it was and his honest insight is on every page for all to appreciate.

"Tommo" Peaceful is recalling his childhood from those terrible battlefields. He remembers his big brother Charlie taking him to his first day of school, the death of his father, his mum working hard to keep a roof over their heads and food on their table. He remembers his brother Joe, who some called simple, but who to Tommo was very special. He also recalls the only girl in his life, Molly, and how Charlie somehow took her away from him. But as the World turned to War, he had to grow up fast. Together Charlie and Tommo enlist and are sent to France, almost immediately, to what could only be described as pure hell on Earth. Bullets, bombs, death. Shells, noise, dirt. Disease, rats, stench. Charlie and Tommo fight for their lives and to stay together--facing certain death in the face every time they try to advance the British lines.

Morpurgo rattles through his narrative at some speed, gracefully capturing both the horror of war and the ecstasy of life. The ending is shocking and memorable. This is difficult, emotionally draining but highly recommended reading. (Recommended for ages 10 and over.) --John McLay

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Thoroughly enjoyable... - Rated
Though written for children, and being a grown up :o), I found this tale wonderfully written and very powerful.
Narrated from the trenches of WWI by Tommo Peaceful, the story is set over just a few hours with an intriguing insight into what the future holds at the start of every chapter. Jumping backwards and forwards in time is a style I love anyway and that is what makes this book what it is - it is not a complexly layered plot that keeps you entertained, the writing is enough to do that and I read it from cover to cover in just a few hours.
I will most definately be reading it to my son in a few years time!

Another fantastic Morpurgo book - Rated
Read this book as I am about to teach "stories with historical settings" to my class. Once again Michael Morpurgo failed to disappoint. The book made me laugh and cry and there's a little twist in the story as something (I wont tell you what) is not what it seems.
Suitable for adults & children alike.

Fantastical book!!!!! - Rated
I love this book soooooooooo much. Michael Morpurgo is my fave author, when I read Private peacful I laughed and cryed. It is one of the most amazing books I have ever ever ever read.
When Tommo's father died he decided to join the army even though he was under the age limit, find out what adventures and troubles he got in when his brother, charlie gets badly injured and nearly killed. I read this book age 8 but I still found it absolutly fantastic.



YOU JUST HAVE GOT TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!

tear jerker - Rated
sad, funny, sad

if u want a happy book, put this back on the shelf

depressing, but brilliant and very powerful @ giving u the image of the trenches and army life in general

i would also recommend people 2 read the whole book before reviewing

Truly Brilliant - Rated
Although I was 'forced' to read the book, I in fact found the book very enjoyable. Michael Morpurgo is typically related to young readers (Kensuke's Kingdom etc) but this book really shows the true colours of his work.

The book is set in a time of war where two brothers sign up to go to war for honour but have to leave their families and loved ones. The story has a tragic ending which truly made me sad as I was expecting a typical Morpurgo ending where everyone lives happily ever after but in fact this has a rather sinister ending with a harsh use of the nursery ryhme Oranges and Lemons.

A great and satisfying read but a little twisted (thus not recommended for younger readers.)