A poignant story of the First World War from Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo Private Peaceful captures the memories of a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. From his early childhood adventures in rural Devon to the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the Front Line, Private Tommo Peaceful spends these lonely hours re-living his short but vivid past. A beautifully written novel, which contrasts bittersweet childhood memories with the horrors of war. Told in the first person it alternates between past and present, creating both humour and heartache and building tension for its dramatic and thought-provoking conclusion.
Private Peaceful
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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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"!full of warmth as well as grief, conveying vividly how precious it is to be alive!" Sunday Times "Deserved to last as an insight into the First World War in the same way as, say, The Silver Sword or Goodnight Mr Tom." Telegraph "A poignant, elegiac novel." Daily Mail
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
97 of 99 people found the following review helpful
By Migratory
Format:Hardcover
Obviously now Mr Morpurgo knows what he's doing, and so it's no surprise that this is a well written book. However I was surprised that he'd produced such a good First World War novel. He hasn't fallen into any of the usual traps - instead he shows us a group of normal people. The Germans aren't demons, the British aren't saints, and although the war is ever-present, much of the narrative concerns events that happened years before it.
Most of the story is told in one night by Private Tommo Peaceful, who has joined up with his brother Charlie. For much of it Tommo reflects on their childhood, especially their time with their brother Big Joe, who has a learning disability, and their friend Molly. The story takes us up to the night that Tommo's telling the story on, the before something terrible happens - which Tommo has been referring to and dreading throughout the story, although he doesn't tell us until near the end what it is.
This is an excellent book. The story is poignant without needless sentimentality and although Morpurgo is put into the 8-12 category, a lot of adults would enjoy it, while some children in that age range would find it too disturbing. It isn't a long book - it doesn't need to be. I'd recommend it without question.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.It was an emotional and moving story about Tommo Peaceful as a young soldier in the first world war looking back on his life. He always trusted his older brother Charlie who was a best friend to him.The loyalty between them didn't waiver all through the book. Then at school a girl called Molly makes friends with him and Charlie. Big Joe their older brother, who is always very happy and loves everyone, loves Molly too. The things they get up to are amazing. Micheal Morpurgo makes you feel in the book from the first word to the last. I couldn't put it down.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Bell
Format:Audio Cassette
A friend and I just listened to these CDs on a car journey to York and I must say that this is one of the best audio books I have ever heard. We were not aware of Michael Morpurgo's being a children's author beforehand and bought it only because of the First World War theme. This is not a purely children's book at all, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Jamie Glover's narration is truly incredible. He captures the mood of the book perfectly and his characters come fully to life with his excellent vocal acting. Listen to this book (or, I'm sure, read it) and you will feel like Ma, Tommo, Charlie, Big Joe and Molly (and of course Bertha) are part of your family and you'll be drawn into their long-gone and simpler world. If you have a strong relationship with an older brother, it will touch you even more.
I found myself longing for the book never to stop and I was genuinely moved to tears by the unexpected conclusion. This is not so much a book about the First World War as a book about people, and very real and believable people at that.
Do yourself a favour and buy this book. Then do your friends an equal favour and have them read/listen to it too. It really is one not to miss.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Private peaceful
Rubbish pic is a popular f2f f2f f duck truck boo cc f try but then it gets horrible lol
Published 15 hours ago by Unknown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
Another great book from Michael Morpurgo. My child is 8 years old and has the reading ability of a 11 year old ,these books allow him to use his imagination in more ways then the... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Sarah Drinkwater
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
It was a amazing book and I would recommend it to any one. I would think everyone will like it.
Published 3 days ago by Ninjutsu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Private Peaceful
Wow... this book does not even get 10/10 IT gets 100000/10 IT is THAT good!
Characters are just pure awesome!!!!
Characters are just pure awesome!!!!
Published 6 days ago by Owen Wadey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!
I chose this rating because I thought this was a really great book!!! I loved reading it very much! Read more
Published 8 days ago by Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars
private peaceful
Private Peaceful is a amazing novel about a family living a peaceful life in ww1, this story follows a boy called Thomas Peaceful who grows up with his brother and a secret, he... Read more
Published 25 days ago by ryan and joe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Just loved this book ...a great read on a lazy day in bed ..I was impressed and I have no doubt others will be too
Published 25 days ago by Lara Norris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Private peaceful
As usual a good story by Michael. It is unbelievable that such barbaric torture and killing of men on your own side went on. The book highlights what our men had to endure.
P
P
Published 27 days ago by Curly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Moving
I love that Michael Morpurgo's books appeal to adults and older children alike. Private peaceful is incredibly well written, atmospheric, and depicts events during the break out of... Read more
Published 27 days ago by m
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
The end is very touching and made me cry just proves what families coped with during the war. Brilliant book!
Published 28 days ago by Sadielizxx
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