Starred Review. Grade 7 Up–At 15, Thomas Peaceful, like many other English soldiers in World War I, is too young to fight, but he lies about his age. Now at the front in France with his older brother Charlie he stands a lonely nighttime vigil for reasons that are not explained until the book's end, watching the minutes tick by and reflecting on his past. Using first-person narration, Morpurgo draws readers into this young man's life, relating memories that are idyllic, sobering, and poignant. Tommo thinks upon the role he played in his father's accidental death, the adventures that he shared with Charlie, his relationship with his childhood friend Molly, and the experiences that he has had since entering the war. Finally, he describes how Charlie disobeyed a direct order to stay with him after he was wounded in action, fully aware of this decision's dire consequences. While this story is not based on any one individual, Morpurgo has personalized the British tactic of executing their own soldiers "for cowardice or desertion," memorializing these men without passing judgment. While readers see the events through Tommo's eyes, the author does not lose sight of the war's effects on the teen's friends and family. Reminders come in the form of letters from home, relationships with other soldiers, and observations of battles. This thoughtful novel touches on themes of humanity and duty, and features brilliant characters whose personal decisions have earned them their very own badges of honor.–Delia Fritz, Mercersburg Academy, PA
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*Starred Review* Gr. 7-12. In this World War I story, the terse and beautiful narrative of a young English soldier is as compelling about the world left behind as about the horrific daily details of trench warfare: the mud, rats, gas attacks, slaughter. At 15, Thomas lied about his age in order to follow his beloved older brother, Charlie, to fight in France. Now, nearly two years later, as Thomas sits waiting in the dark for the horror he knows will come at dawn, he remembers it all. Growing up as a poor farm boy in a happy family, he was always close to Charlie and to their brain-injured brother, Joe, a character Morpurgo draws with rare tenderness and truth. Thomas and Charlie even loved the same girl; Charley married her, but she writes to them both. Thomas also remembers British brutality, from the landlord who threatened the family with eviction if Charlie didn't enlist to the cruel army sergeant who tried to break Charlie's spirit. Charlie may be too perfect, almost a Christ figure, but it's Thomas' viewpoint of the brother he loves. Suspense builds right to the end, which is shocking, honest, and unforgettable. Be sure to add this to titles in the Read-alikes, "War to End All Wars" [BKL N 1 01]. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
His [Tommo's] journey from agricultural labourer to cannon fodder is movingly told...Michael Morpurgo is expert at getting through to his readers. He writes here about events that should never be forgotten nor forgiven, and does so most effectively. Independent ...full of warmth as well as grief, conveying vividly how precious it is to be alive... Sunday Times The best novel he's written since The Butterfly Lion. Times Deserved to last as an insight into the First World War in the same way as, say, The Silver Sword or Goodnight Mr Tom. Telegraph A poignant, elegiac novel. Daily Mail
麦克·莫波格(Michael Morpurgo)生于1943年,英国儿童、青春文学最畅销作家之一,英国三个获得“桂冠作家”荣誉的作家之一。极爱历史,一心渴望迷失在故事里。作品百余部,得奖无数。曾翻拍成电影、电视剧、舞台剧和歌剧。2003年获得两年一度的英国“童书桂冠作家”荣誉。
悲伤的情绪永远奠定了我写作的冲动 对我来说这是莫大的宿命 高中时曾大言不惭的向所有人宣称爱好战争电影 也就是被死亡面前赤条裸体的生命和自由虏获了所有意志力 甘愿承认自己的无知和渺小 如今仍旧妄想以蚍蜉撼树的威力审视整个人类对生命的渴望 我颐享着宛如含饴弄孙的安...
评分我也希望自己能像大个儿乔一样,相信我们死去的亲人都去了天堂,而天堂就在教堂钟塔的最顶端,手往天空一指就能看见的地方。 这个温暖始终的故事读到最后,竟忍不住要以一滴眼泪作为收场,但它自始至终仍旧是温暖的,因为作者在结语里告诉我们,这是一个虚构的故事。 于是我...
评分安意如的前言可真够呛. 真难得见前言能把整个书的故事内容从头到尾给概括了一遍. 关键情节和结尾整个都给兜出来了. 人家这是故事书又不是随笔散文杂记什么的,你把故事都讲一遍了我还有必要看么? 我读书的过程整个就成了一个情节发生以后等待另一个已知情节的发生. 毫无悬念. 而...
评分起先,我以为这是一本关于一个小男孩成长的故事。看着看着,我又以为这是一本关于小男孩和哥哥之间的兄弟情谊的故事。接着读下去,我开始以为这是一本以战争为背景的人性温暖的故事。再读下去,我想这本书应该有一个更高的主题,也许是关于生和死。读到最后,我震惊地发现,这...
评分装帧很漂亮,简约干净,是我喜欢的风格。故事也很简单,小人物的幸福与伤悲。看完后有淡淡的伤感。这不是一个悲情的故事,死亡的处理都很温和。淡淡的伤感基调让我思考一个问题: 什么才是真正的悲剧? 这个故事看起来真的不是一个悲剧。可是分明有一种说不出...
This thoughtful novel touches on themes of humanity and duty, and features brilliant characters whose personal decisions have earned them their very own badges of honor.
评分三星半
评分I love the writing style, so plain but so sharp.
评分This thoughtful novel touches on themes of humanity and duty, and features brilliant characters whose personal decisions have earned them their very own badges of honor.
评分极重阅读体验的一本书,画面感音乐感都很强,只是好像不够圆融统一,也许作者并没有明确地想要表达什么。文字风格轻缓,后部分叙述时态的转换让人想要飘起来。Nothing stays the same.
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