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A review by katykelly
Alone on a Wide Wide Sea by Michael Morpurgo
5.0
I'm running out of ways of describing Morpurgo's books this year! Read quite a few, each one moving and impossible to put down.
This is a fascinating story from the times we sent children over to Australia, for being born out of wedlock, for having no parents, by themselves to a new country. Arthur is one such orphan in 1947, separated from sister Kitty, left only with her 'lucky key' as he travels across the ocean. He tells this story looking back decades later at the terrible years brutalised and enslaved to 'Piggy Bacon', a farmer who exploits boys like him. His story has happier moments with friends and a family he makes for himself, and periods of great sadness. And just when you think Arthur's story is coming to an end... there's a surprise in store and a whole other story to be told. I smiled through my tears as the second part of the book began, and it beautifully finished Arthur's tale with another one of adventure and bravery.
Morpurgo keeps his storytelling style simple, that may be key to his success - he tells his stories simply but well. Never trying to make his readers laugh or to engage them with jokes, he uses his stories to hook us, young and old. Based on truth, as always, they grip you because you know they are real.
This was particularly moving for me, many times over. The title (and elements of the plot) are based on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which I really should go and read now, as I feel I've read half of it through Arthur.
If you're happy for Morpurgo to make you sob (again) with an enchanting story of family, hope, love and bravery, you'll want to read this. Children aged 8 and above will be ready to try it, and it would be another excellent classroom read.
I read the audio version, and it was superbly read by an Australian narrator who made Arthur's emotions come alive.
This is a fascinating story from the times we sent children over to Australia, for being born out of wedlock, for having no parents, by themselves to a new country. Arthur is one such orphan in 1947, separated from sister Kitty, left only with her 'lucky key' as he travels across the ocean. He tells this story looking back decades later at the terrible years brutalised and enslaved to 'Piggy Bacon', a farmer who exploits boys like him. His story has happier moments with friends and a family he makes for himself, and periods of great sadness. And just when you think Arthur's story is coming to an end... there's a surprise in store and a whole other story to be told. I smiled through my tears as the second part of the book began, and it beautifully finished Arthur's tale with another one of adventure and bravery.
Morpurgo keeps his storytelling style simple, that may be key to his success - he tells his stories simply but well. Never trying to make his readers laugh or to engage them with jokes, he uses his stories to hook us, young and old. Based on truth, as always, they grip you because you know they are real.
This was particularly moving for me, many times over. The title (and elements of the plot) are based on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, which I really should go and read now, as I feel I've read half of it through Arthur.
If you're happy for Morpurgo to make you sob (again) with an enchanting story of family, hope, love and bravery, you'll want to read this. Children aged 8 and above will be ready to try it, and it would be another excellent classroom read.
I read the audio version, and it was superbly read by an Australian narrator who made Arthur's emotions come alive.