theodoreeeeeeads 's review for:

Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo

4.0

challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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A reread of a book from my childhood, my primary school scrawl still permeating the inside page with a lopsided “Theodore”.

Reminding me very much of Cider with Rosie in that it’s set in 1900s-1910s rural England. Excellent.

The childhood of Tommo reminds me so much of own. The fears, simple pleasures, worries and triumphs. Secretly plotting mischief against elders who were strict, coming to terms with school, noticing girls for the first time, running and jumping and marvelling at nature. It’s so beautiful.

It’s so poignant and heartbreaking. The sacrifice these men made, the horrors they endured, it continues to astound me. 

At the end I’m waveringly holding back tears. What a pointless and stupid thing for millions of men to die over. 

Desperately sad, excellently written. Will read again.