Sold to a drunken farmer, Joey, a beautiful red-bay foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, finds a friend in the farmer's son, Albert. His father brutally demands Joey work or be sold, so Albert gently trains him to pull the plough. But it's not enough. When war breaks out, Albert's father, needy for money for his struggling farm, sells Joey to the army, where he, like the soldiers around him, must try to cope with the horrors of the First World War. Joey and another thoroughbred horse, Topthorn, lead in a terrible cavalry charge towards the machine guns of the enemy's lines. Joey is captured by the Germans and for while he is lovingly cared for by Emilie, a young French girl and her grandfather. But he and Topthorn must pull a heavy gun, battling through the mud until Topthorn dies of exhaustion. Joey wanders in no man's land, back towards the British trench, but despite a joyful reunion with Albert, Joey is not out of danger. First tetanus threatens his life, and even then Emilie's grandfather has to bid to save him from the butcher. The old man promised his granddaughter when she died he would find the horse she loved and buy him, but recognising Albert's love for Joey, he sells Joey back to Albert on condition he will love for him all his life - for the princely sum of one English penny.
War Horse
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About the Author
Michael Morpurgo OBE is one of Britain's best loved writers for children. He has written over 100 books and won many prizes, including the Smarties Prize, the Whitbread Award and the Blue Peter Book Award.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
65 of 67 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
I love it!,it's the best book I've ever read! It's sad good,exciting,and touching.
I'd recomend it to people who love adventure and who love animals. Charlotte age 8
I'd recomend it to people who love adventure and who love animals. Charlotte age 8
410 of 427 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Set in three European countries where war hits hard in 1914, Morpurgo's book surprisingly puts its focus with a young horse, through whose eyes and mind the reader is familiarized with the atrocities of war as they unfold. While as a literary device this might appear cheap or far-fetched, here it functions in quite a unique way.
Whether witness, victim or participant, Joey (the horse) merely undergoes whilst observing without interacting by means of speech the way that humans would.
The restraint which the author imposes on his narrative in selecting this point of view just works wonders. The further into the story, the reader (whether adult or youngster) gradually conceives a growing sympathy with the war horse and ends up nearly identifying with his animal companion.
Along with Joey, he gets to interact with the people (civilian or military) who temporarily own him and gradually will, of his own account, make a distinction between the ones who approach him fairly or harshly. As he is dragged into the avalanche of warfare, he gets to make sense of the horse's gratitude and emotionality one way, and his pain or distress, another.
To cut (not such) a long story short, to say that Mr Morpurgo does perfect credit to whoever gets dragged into the nightmarish abyss of war at any time and any place, is no exaggeration. His understated style only adds to the qualities that characterize the book as it is.
Perfection is not of this world, so the word goes, but this one comes ever so close.
War horse is a gem. It is a must-read, and not just for young readers.
Read and understand why, at times, books are indispensable.
Whether witness, victim or participant, Joey (the horse) merely undergoes whilst observing without interacting by means of speech the way that humans would.
The restraint which the author imposes on his narrative in selecting this point of view just works wonders. The further into the story, the reader (whether adult or youngster) gradually conceives a growing sympathy with the war horse and ends up nearly identifying with his animal companion.
Along with Joey, he gets to interact with the people (civilian or military) who temporarily own him and gradually will, of his own account, make a distinction between the ones who approach him fairly or harshly. As he is dragged into the avalanche of warfare, he gets to make sense of the horse's gratitude and emotionality one way, and his pain or distress, another.
To cut (not such) a long story short, to say that Mr Morpurgo does perfect credit to whoever gets dragged into the nightmarish abyss of war at any time and any place, is no exaggeration. His understated style only adds to the qualities that characterize the book as it is.
Perfection is not of this world, so the word goes, but this one comes ever so close.
War horse is a gem. It is a must-read, and not just for young readers.
Read and understand why, at times, books are indispensable.
156 of 163 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A tremendous book, and it deserves to be up there with Black Beauty. The tale of a horse that becomes part of World War1, and it views the war from both sides. The story is tightly written, the narrative excellent, and the things that happen will live with you long after the book is finished. A climatic scene between enemies is the highlight of the book and should make children (and adults) realise the futility of war. Get the tissues out...this is a wonderful, thought provoking story-with,I hasten to add, a sort of happy ending. Read it yourself, then give it to your children - a wonderful, wonderful book!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
War horse
Fantastic read, couldn't put down. Well written got the feeling I was there. How much do we owe to those horses.
Published 1 day ago by geoff benson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warhorse - the book
This item was bought as present for friend and they were very pleased with this. I was also happy with the look of the item and the quick delivery.
Published 2 days ago by Thurn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Michael Morpurgo never disappoints
Michael Morpurgo never disappoints - another well written and interesting story which children and adults love to read. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Mrs L
5.0 out of 5 stars
War horse
I thought that this book was brilliant. I absolutely loved it every single bit of this wonderful book. One of the best books I have read
Published 6 days ago by mrs kelley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Loved this book,from the start you are captured by the friendship between joey and Albert,when joey goes off to war,the characters he encounters,I cried more than once x
Published 7 days ago by janet hamilton
5.0 out of 5 stars
War Horse.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had me gripped from start to finish. An ideal read for all ages.
Published 7 days ago by julie
4.0 out of 5 stars
an inspiring novel!
a moving story. shows true courage and hope. friend ship and love. a sppectacular adtaptation as a film too. sad but exiting! a must read! maia age 12
Published 13 days ago by MHB
5.0 out of 5 stars
Real tear-jerker
This book is a stunning read! It takes you on a journey through WWI that is moving and emotional, all from the persepctive of a horse. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Lincs Lassie
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Horse's eye view
Well written and though sad doesn't dwell too much on the destuctiveness of war or the human etc suffering but a more positive beat and measure of understanding runs through... Read more
Published 14 days ago by ros
5.0 out of 5 stars
Utterly Inspiring
Amazing and Emotional Book I Would Recommended This To Anyone That Connects With Books And Feels For The Characters As Much As I Do.
Published 15 days ago by Reuben
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