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bookwormicah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lifeofawannabee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
noorisreading's review against another edition
5.0
the writing style is really. I recommend reading it twice because everything just comes together a lot more that way. I don't normally cry at books but I did at this one. it's so good and emotional u should have tissues and something to cheer you up afterward.
hobbitfreddie's review against another edition
4.0
First off this is now the 6th World War 1 era book I've read now. I'm very interested in this genre, and have loved every one I've read, this one while still very good, it's probably my least favorite. I strongly recomend the read, it's short and once you get into it you can finish it pretty fast. I think it's accessible to a wide variety, people who aren't interested in war fic and people like me who devour it. For the WW1 nerds, it offers some variety and uniqueness.
Story: The story is a bit unconvential for a WW1 book. As most of the book is a reflection. I think that part can turn people away but it's really quite a nice way to tell a story. It succeeds at almost manipulating the reading to love the characters. It's not really about the war in general, it's about Thomas and Charlie. His childhood, the war, and everything. And for being roughly 200 pages it does a pretty good job at telling that story.
My complaint is that during the book, alot of drama and terrible things happen, as such it feels a bit like emotional manipulation. In All Quiet on the Western Front, another WW1 book, there is alot of terrible stuff, but it's balanced out, or it feels natural. Here, even before the war part happens, I feel like every chapter has something terrible happen. I believe that's the point and maybe also expanding the theme of the horrors of war. But anyways I guess it serves to show suffering that people have to go through, even as a kid. It's also a YA novel, and I don't read those often, so it must just be how they are.
Another complaint would be it may feel more of just a drama meant to invoke emotions, and just be that, like a Hallmark movie. I do think it's more of that if you really take in the book and it's themes.
Anyways the way the story is told really made it for me. I just can't hate the book, it's just really beautiful and sad. Which is probably the easiest way to make a good book, but it does it pretty well for a book so short.
Character: The characters are alright. In war fiction you usually don't get too unique of characters, but they're still pretty good. I really liked that Thomas and Charlie have a strong brotherly connection, rather than alot of media depictions of siblings that make them bicker and junk. It's just really sweet I'm a sucker for close friendships. The side characters are pretty good too, they add to the story nicely.
Writing: I can't really tell writing wise if this is a YA or middle grade book, either way- it's pretty well written. It's nicely written and not too simple, but not too wordy or anything. It's a good mix of the two extremes. And the way it sets up everything is great, especially the ending.
Themes: I picked up that there's some themes of being a kid, more specifically the relationship between kids and adults. Which ties into this being a WW1 book well, because alot of young men and even boys were sent to the war by adults. There's probably more stuff about that in the book but I don't want t go on too long. There's some other themes sprinkled in of course about war in general, religion, family, etc.
Story: The story is a bit unconvential for a WW1 book. As most of the book is a reflection. I think that part can turn people away but it's really quite a nice way to tell a story. It succeeds at almost manipulating the reading to love the characters. It's not really about the war in general, it's about Thomas and Charlie. His childhood, the war, and everything. And for being roughly 200 pages it does a pretty good job at telling that story.
My complaint is that during the book, alot of drama and terrible things happen, as such it feels a bit like emotional manipulation. In All Quiet on the Western Front, another WW1 book, there is alot of terrible stuff, but it's balanced out, or it feels natural. Here, even before the war part happens, I feel like every chapter has something terrible happen. I believe that's the point and maybe also expanding the theme of the horrors of war. But anyways I guess it serves to show suffering that people have to go through, even as a kid. It's also a YA novel, and I don't read those often, so it must just be how they are.
Another complaint would be it may feel more of just a drama meant to invoke emotions, and just be that, like a Hallmark movie. I do think it's more of that if you really take in the book and it's themes.
Anyways the way the story is told really made it for me. I just can't hate the book, it's just really beautiful and sad. Which is probably the easiest way to make a good book, but it does it pretty well for a book so short.
Character: The characters are alright. In war fiction you usually don't get too unique of characters, but they're still pretty good. I really liked that Thomas and Charlie have a strong brotherly connection, rather than alot of media depictions of siblings that make them bicker and junk. It's just really sweet I'm a sucker for close friendships. The side characters are pretty good too, they add to the story nicely.
Writing: I can't really tell writing wise if this is a YA or middle grade book, either way- it's pretty well written. It's nicely written and not too simple, but not too wordy or anything. It's a good mix of the two extremes. And the way it sets up everything is great, especially the ending.
Themes: I picked up that there's some themes of being a kid, more specifically the relationship between kids and adults. Which ties into this being a WW1 book well, because alot of young men and even boys were sent to the war by adults. There's probably more stuff about that in the book but I don't want t go on too long. There's some other themes sprinkled in of course about war in general, religion, family, etc.
albycarnaby's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jutta282's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
kittykits's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sarahthereadingaddict's review against another edition
5.0
This reminded me a little bit of the film What's eating Gilbert Grape.
It's a brilliantly written book which hard topics. I like the way the topics are written, honest but sensitive.
It's emotional and heartbreaking in parts but it's so real. I really enjoyed reading it and the joy that you feel knowing the brothers get on so well.
I adore Big Joe, he is treated terribly by some and so misunderstood, I think his way of looking at the world is beautiful. I loved this so much. I am so glad I read a Michael Morpurgo book.
It's always so interesting and also heartbreaking when you read a book based on true events. This is based on the war and it's terrifying for those soldiers. Some dying because they didnt do what someone told them to do.
Reading the bit at the end of the book that was titled discover more and then the Authors note was so interesting. How he came up with the name and the research he did for the book...wow.
It's a brilliantly written book which hard topics. I like the way the topics are written, honest but sensitive.
It's emotional and heartbreaking in parts but it's so real. I really enjoyed reading it and the joy that you feel knowing the brothers get on so well.
I adore Big Joe, he is treated terribly by some and so misunderstood, I think his way of looking at the world is beautiful. I loved this so much. I am so glad I read a Michael Morpurgo book.
It's always so interesting and also heartbreaking when you read a book based on true events. This is based on the war and it's terrifying for those soldiers. Some dying because they didnt do what someone told them to do.
Reading the bit at the end of the book that was titled discover more and then the Authors note was so interesting. How he came up with the name and the research he did for the book...wow.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Adapted from the book jacket: Private Thomas Peaceful has lied about his age and left his family behind to follow his older brother, Charlie, to France to fight in the First World War. Now, Tommo has one almost unendurable night, alone, fighting sleep, to reflect on his life. As the minutes slowly tick by, his memories are full of his childhood in the English countryside. His father, mother, brothers, and first love, Molly, come vividly alive in his mind. But every moment Tommo spends thinking about his life means another moment closer to something he cannot bear to think about – a time when the war and its horrific consequences will change his life forever.
My Reactions
This is a gut-wrenching tale of brotherhood, loyalty, duty, love, courage and forgiveness. I loved the close bond between the brothers, both Tommo and Charlie, but also their brain-damaged brother Big Joe. I applauded their mother’s moral courage in the face of adversity. I felt uncomfortable with the actions of the Colonel, but recognized the British class system at work in the early 20th century. (Thank you, Downton Abbey.) This is not the first book about World War I that I have read, so I was familiar with the horrors of trench warfare and the brutal realities of a long siege, but I still cringed with fear and anxiety as I read about these young men (hardly older than boys) and what they faced. My heart about broke for Tommo and Charlie; I certainly didn’t see that end coming.
I was very glad that Morpurgo added a Postscript and Author’s Note explaining some of the realities of this period in history and how the governments of Britain, New Zealand, Australia and the United States had such different responses to the soldiers who suffered psychological trauma on the battlefields.
This is the third novel I’ve read by Morpurgo, after War Horse (also set in WWI), and An Elephant in the Garden (Dresden, during WW2). My reaction to the former was lukewarm, but I loved the latter. Private Peaceful is closer to “elephant” than “horse.”
My Reactions
This is a gut-wrenching tale of brotherhood, loyalty, duty, love, courage and forgiveness. I loved the close bond between the brothers, both Tommo and Charlie, but also their brain-damaged brother Big Joe. I applauded their mother’s moral courage in the face of adversity. I felt uncomfortable with the actions of the Colonel, but recognized the British class system at work in the early 20th century. (Thank you, Downton Abbey.) This is not the first book about World War I that I have read, so I was familiar with the horrors of trench warfare and the brutal realities of a long siege, but I still cringed with fear and anxiety as I read about these young men (hardly older than boys) and what they faced. My heart about broke for Tommo and Charlie; I certainly didn’t see that end coming.
I was very glad that Morpurgo added a Postscript and Author’s Note explaining some of the realities of this period in history and how the governments of Britain, New Zealand, Australia and the United States had such different responses to the soldiers who suffered psychological trauma on the battlefields.
This is the third novel I’ve read by Morpurgo, after War Horse (also set in WWI), and An Elephant in the Garden (Dresden, during WW2). My reaction to the former was lukewarm, but I loved the latter. Private Peaceful is closer to “elephant” than “horse.”