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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
‘Why the Whales Came’ is another solid Morpurgo offering (an author who I admire greatly for his contribution to children’s literature). This tells the story of Gracie and Daniel, who live on isolated SamsonIsland. Their families survive by living on the land and sea and, as in many of his novels, Morpurgo captures a bygone era where life was both more precarious and yet somehow more natural and idyllic. The children live in a bubble of security threatened only by Daniel’s volatile father and his bullying brother. However, this swiftly changes when they meet the birdman – a mysterious figure, who has been outcast from the community and seems to hide a terrible dark secret that could threaten the entire island. Of course, what the children do not yet realise is that he is not the real danger to the world rather it is the coming World War that has the potential to disrupt and destroy everything they have known and take from Gracie one of the things she holds most dear.
On the one hand, this was another superb children’s novel. Morpurgo has a natural ability to engage the reader and make us almost immediately care about his characters, believe in their world and desire their success. There is something magical and haunting about Samson Island and the surrounding ocean that provides the people with their livelihood and ultimately brings the whales and yet simultaneously threatening. Morpurgo is also a master of emotional force; rare is the Morpurgo novel that by its conclusion does not bring a tear or two to the eye. He simply has a way of emotionally engaging the reader without descent into sentimentality.
Likewise, part of the engagement of this novel, as it is with many of his others, lies in his ability to create tension and mystery. He carefully delays the revelation concerning the truth about the birdman as well as the ultimate fate of Gracie’s father. This technique of withholding information tantalises the reader until the final climactic moments of the novel and effectively propels his narrative forward.
Having said this, I did not feel that ‘Why the Whales Came’ had quite the power or engaging force of the previous Morpurgo novels that I had read this year (‘War Horse’ and ‘Private Peaceful’). Of course this may have been due to the fact that they lack the dramatic impact and scale of these novels as they do not take us to the frontline or have quite the drama in terms of events as these. I also felt that the novel was aimed at a younger audience. I initially read ‘Why the Whales Came’ with my Year 9s (aged 13-14) in mind for which ‘Private Peaceful’ had been perfect. However, I felt that they would have found the plot too simplistic and lacking in sophistication for them. This is not a criticism – Morpurgo writes for a range of age groups – it is simply that the audience is clearly different here and this is perhaps why it was also less appealing to me.
Nonetheless, although perhaps not one of his best, it was definitely worth the read and something I would share with my children in the future not the least for its vivid characters and strong female protagonists (in contrast to the dominant male characters in his war novels) as well as his strong feeling for animals and environmental ideas that underpins the novel. I lovely book with a moving final message.
On the one hand, this was another superb children’s novel. Morpurgo has a natural ability to engage the reader and make us almost immediately care about his characters, believe in their world and desire their success. There is something magical and haunting about Samson Island and the surrounding ocean that provides the people with their livelihood and ultimately brings the whales and yet simultaneously threatening. Morpurgo is also a master of emotional force; rare is the Morpurgo novel that by its conclusion does not bring a tear or two to the eye. He simply has a way of emotionally engaging the reader without descent into sentimentality.
Likewise, part of the engagement of this novel, as it is with many of his others, lies in his ability to create tension and mystery. He carefully delays the revelation concerning the truth about the birdman as well as the ultimate fate of Gracie’s father. This technique of withholding information tantalises the reader until the final climactic moments of the novel and effectively propels his narrative forward.
Having said this, I did not feel that ‘Why the Whales Came’ had quite the power or engaging force of the previous Morpurgo novels that I had read this year (‘War Horse’ and ‘Private Peaceful’). Of course this may have been due to the fact that they lack the dramatic impact and scale of these novels as they do not take us to the frontline or have quite the drama in terms of events as these. I also felt that the novel was aimed at a younger audience. I initially read ‘Why the Whales Came’ with my Year 9s (aged 13-14) in mind for which ‘Private Peaceful’ had been perfect. However, I felt that they would have found the plot too simplistic and lacking in sophistication for them. This is not a criticism – Morpurgo writes for a range of age groups – it is simply that the audience is clearly different here and this is perhaps why it was also less appealing to me.
Nonetheless, although perhaps not one of his best, it was definitely worth the read and something I would share with my children in the future not the least for its vivid characters and strong female protagonists (in contrast to the dominant male characters in his war novels) as well as his strong feeling for animals and environmental ideas that underpins the novel. I lovely book with a moving final message.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Anyone who hates Michael Morpurgo will still love this book. Man or woman young or old.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
My favourite Michael Morpurgo book I've read by far, and I've read many. This book is Morpurgo's classic style incorporating war, animals and important family matters.
I've never read anything like Why the Whales Came before now and I am glad I did as I feel like I have gained something from doing so.
Every time somebody says Morpurgo's books are for children and children only I realise how opposite that is- his books are books everyone should read, fantastically written, excellent storylines, great characters and simply spell-binding.
Highly recommend.
I've never read anything like Why the Whales Came before now and I am glad I did as I feel like I have gained something from doing so.
Every time somebody says Morpurgo's books are for children and children only I realise how opposite that is- his books are books everyone should read, fantastically written, excellent storylines, great characters and simply spell-binding.
Highly recommend.
Premier livre de Morpurgo que je lis, après avoir entendu énormément de bien sur cet auteur. Sachant que ces romans sont généralement assez tristes, j'ai choisi celui-ci car il me paraissait contenir plus d'espoir que les autres. C'était un roman vraiment original, je me suis laissée emporter par l'histoire. Par contre, je dois dire que je n'ai pas trop compris le dénouement, car je trouve que beaucoup de mystères restent non percés.