Private Peaceful

"They've gone now, and I'm alone at last. I have the whole night ahead of me, and I won't waste a single moment of it. I shan't sleep it away. I won't dream it away either. I mustn't, because every moment of it will be far too precious.

I want to try to remember everything, just as it was, just as

Show More

it happened. I've had nearly eighteen years of yesterdays and tomorrows, and tonight I must remember as many of them as I can. I want tonight to be long, as long as my life, not filled with fleeting dreams that rush me on towards dawn.

Tonight, more than any other night of my life, I want to feel alive."

Thus begins young Tommo Peaceful's narration of his short life story, which he tells us in several segments throughout the night. It isn't quite clear what dawn will bring, but we know he's racing against the clock—actually, not a clock, but a watch that his beloved older brother Charlie has given him. As Thomas Peaceful recounts their childhood growing up in wretched poverty after the loss of their father, in a small town run by a cruel and egomaniac Colonel, but with the joy of a special friendship with a girl who is close to both brothers, with the relative freedom allowed in a rural setting, we are made all too aware that Tommo is writing his tale while he is in the midst or World War I, which he and Charlie have so far spent fighting in Yprès amid the gruel trench warfare that senselessly took countless lives. Another short but powerful novel by Murporgo, who's [War Horse] I recently read, this one has been nominated for and won a slew of awards, and they are well deserved. Haunting.

Show Less

Tommo Peaceful, a British soldier in WWI, thinks back through his life so far (he's now seventeen) as he serves his sentry duty one night in the trenches: the death of his father when he was very young, life with his mother and two brothers, Big Joe and Charlie, and the girl next door (Molly), with

Show More

whom both he and Charlie are in love. Through it all, Charlie has been his best friend and closest ally in all things. Tommo even followed him off to war so that they'd remain together. But Charlie's not with him on this long night's vigil, and dawn will bring an unbearable event that will change all their lives.
Morpurgo is an excellent storyteller, which is evident in how he balances Tommo's remembrances with his awful night of dreading what's coming at dawn, and also in how well he paces the revelation of exactly what Private Peaceful is dreading so much. So I do recognize that this is a masterfully told story, but in the end, it's just too sad for me. War stories are difficult for me, and this one is so personal and deeply touching. I'm glad I've read it, but I'm not sure how glad I am with how long it will likely stay with me.

Show Less

Tragic, surprising and engaging in equal measures, Morpurgo's novel charts both the childhood of young Thomas Peaceful in the early years of the 20th century, and his eventual underage enlistment in the British army to help fight the First World War.
It is, above all, a poignant story of war and

Show More

about all of its many life-changing effects on those involved--also the brutality of the commanding regimes and the relentless squalor of trench warfare. It's not for the squeamish--Morpurgo tells it like it was and his honest insight is on every page for all to appreciate.
Morpurgo rattles through his narrative at some speed, gracefully capturing both the horror of war and the ecstasy of life. The ending is shocking and memorable. This is difficult, emotionally draining but highly recommended reading

Show Less

This book changed the way I felt about soldiers at war. It is a powerful story tackling an issue that only this year has finally started to be dealt with appropriately.
2 young brothers go off to war, determined to do their bit for their country, and to have a good time, but it isn't long before

Show More

the realities of what they are expected to do lies heavy with them and they find themselves facing the worst possible outcome.
Everyone must read this book. There hasn't been a person yet that I have given this to read who hasn't loved it. Although loved is the wrong word. Respected, accepted, and acknowledged the powerful message it puts across is a better analogy.

Michael Morpurgo is one of the finest children's writers we have ever had.

Show Less

Fantastic, makes you cry though! A book everyone should read. Goes down well with reading groups. Met author in 2004, lovely man, great speaker.

What teens say:

Having 6 brothers I instantly developed a special bond with the book. Morpurgo establishes genuine characters that you feel for and with. This story of loyalty and devotion will touch you and alter the way you view war.

What I say:

Private Peaceful is a fabulous, complex war story

Show More

with an intriguing structure and plenty of surprises, including a shocking ending (don’t skip the author’s note at the end). As the clock that begins each chapter winds down, Tommo thoughts drift from the present tense to past memories of his brother Charlie and his family. Tommo changes in the pages of this book from a young, sheltered boy into a premature adult who struggles with the ugly realities of war. Don't miss this book. It is NOT a BBYA top ten book for nothing!

Show Less

A beautifully sad story: one young boy counts down the minutes until a momentus morning by remembering incidents from his past that lead, logically but not inescapably, to his current situation. This novel is sad without being morbid and shocking without being merely a shock.

Private Peaceful is one of the greatest war novels in history! It has vivid descriptions, an awesome storyline, and sweet battles. but you'd better have some Kleenex with you at all times, because it has some heart wrenching parts too. I would recommend this book to everyone that I can!

A heartwrenching story about two brothers who must go to war. Shocking but beautiful.

A young English soldier fighting in World War I awaits the dawn and his brother’s summary execution for desertion. While he does, he spends the hours recounting his childhood memories and detailing the events that brought him to this moment. This book tells a story of World War I that is little

Show More

known--that of the British Army's choice to execute its own soldiers. For this reason alone, it is a valuable high school resource. However, the humanity of the characters and the realism of the plot are never subjugated to the political message, which is a testament to the restraint of the author. The book is also full of the kind of interesting literary elements that literature teachers love. However, its slow beginning and confusing time shifts could make the book a difficult read for less competent readers.

Show Less

A good book describing the love between two brothers, and how their bond is unbreakable even in the tides of war. People with brothers should read this book.

Two brothers serve in the army during WWI, but only one returns home to the family that they both love. The tragedy is that the brother who doesn’t return home is killed not on the battle field, but by firing squad.The novel is formed via foreshadowing. It begins with Tommo telling the story of

Show More

the Peaceful boys in their formative years as the clock ticks away towards the time when Charlie is to be executed. The first chapter title is “five past ten” and the last “one minute to six”; six o’clock being the time of Charlie’s death. The text is engrossing and sure to be enjoyed by boys in particular. The book is appropriate for high school students.

Show Less

Explains the horrors of war from the viewpoint of teen aged, English Soldier, Tommy Peaceful, during World War One. Describes Tommy's family life before the war, especially his relationship with his older brothers.

My nine year old daughter read this, and I decided to read it too as I was curious to know how something as grim as World War I would be represented in a children's book.

I thought it was excellent, none of the wartime stuff was sanitised in the least (so I began to think maybe 9 was a bit too young

Show More

to understand all of it), and the story was detailed yet accessible. By the end I was pretty sure my daughter had not followed it entirely - for one thing she was dry eyed on finishing the last page, which was more than can be said for me.

Show Less

A Great Book Wrote by Michael Morpurgo, A Gripping book of Thomas Peacful Who Tells The Story Of His Life In the First World War, I Would Recomend This Book to you. :) :P

One of my favourite books and, in my opinion, the best Michael Morpurgo book ever!!

This was one of the best books that I have read. It was very indept about two brothers relation ship pre and during world war 1. It realy showed all of their feelings and it was veryu powerful.

I enjoyed this book so much. I started to read it after Christmas and then I had started reading it to my son. One night after reading the second chapter I couldnt put this book down and finished that night Very sad ending

Memories of his former peaceful life, letters from home, and observations of battles make up 17-year-old Thomas' narration as he fights in World War I. The young English soldier lied about his age to fight in France with his older brother Charlie, and now finds himself in dire circumstances. As

Show More

darkness closes in on him in the trenches, Thomas recalls the girl that both he and his brother loved, his brain-damaged brother, Joe, and the part Thomas played in his father's untimely death.

Show Less

This is an amazing book...it starts off gently as Tommo, the main character, looks back over his life. The relationship between Tommo and his brother Charlie is the main focus of the story; Charlie always looks after Tommo and helps him over and over again.

When the pair go to Belgium to fight at

Show More

Ypres during the first World War, the reader can see the horrifying nature of war and just what the fifteen year old Tommo went through.

Be prepared for the powerful ending and the wealth of emotions it will drag out of you!

Show Less

Michael Morpugo did a fantastic job describing what Tommy Peaceful (the main character) felt while during his war time.

I like when he specified his emotions, like "And it was anger I was drowning, not just sorrows: anger at Charlie For abandoning me, anger that he was to see Molly and home, and

Show More

that I was not.

This details of actual peoples thoughts during war, keeps the flow of the book going and really illustrates his thoughts on people who have been in wars.

Another example I like is " Then on a bellowed command we threw ourselves face down and crawled on through the long grass", which describes what the soldiers were doing in training.

I would prefer this book to anyone who likes adventure with specific details that put you in that characters position.

Show Less

Terrific read. An understanding of the relationship between the landed gentry and those who did the work. Also shows how the Great War affected even those out in the middle of nowhere. A story of great tenderness and love.

Two young brothers, Tommo and Charlie Peaceful, are faced with the reality of trench warfare and life as soldiers during World War I. As Tommo reflects back on his childhood, this touching and emotional story intertwines his past family struggles with his current soldier life.

I enjoyed this book (not as much as War Horse, though). Morpurgo's writing is excellent as are his characters. The constant flash forward-flashback was very jarring and kind of hurt the book for me.