the most plain and 1 dimensional characters ever, only rated it this high because the plot was interesting enough lol

A bittersweet story about the horrors of two brothers’ experiences during WW1, I first read ‘Private Peaceful’ when I was eleven, and have returned to it now over a decade later. Whilst the story at times is predictable, it is still a thoroughly engaging and heartfelt novel exploring the impact that court martial had on the British army. The ending is still a tear-jerker and the pathos that we, as modern-day readers, feel is profound.

It may be a fictionalised and highly melodramatic read, but the events in [a:Michael Morpurgo|8080|Michael Morpurgo|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1260905000p2/8080.jpg]'s 2003 novel [b:Private Peaceful|1048645|Private Peaceful|Michael Morpurgo|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328868065s/1048645.jpg|2454980] are based on what would happen to WW1 soldiers, who we now know were suffering from shell-shock but were treated like prisoners for their "cowardice".

Following two brothers and their First World War experiences, Private Peaceful has all the makings of a Morpurgo outing: brothers, war, unrequited love, this should be a pinnacle of what is undoubtedly a long and illustrious career, spanning forty years. But everything in this book has been done before; it's like slipping your feet into a nice, warm, comforting pair of slippers. It's so familiar. But that doesn't mean it's ostensibly bad. No, in fact, on the contrary. It's a well-written, respectful ode to the men who fought for our country. There's some parts that go a little over the top and get all tear-jerky, but that doesn't mean it's unwelcome. I enjoyed it, but Morpurgo keeps repeating the same motifs and themes and symbolisms and even ideas, over and over. His work is some of my favourites and he is the most reliable author working today, but seriously. If [a:Michael Morpurgo|8080|Michael Morpurgo|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1260905000p2/8080.jpg] is on the cover, buy it. But, it is getting a little tired, if you ask me. Well worth a chance but if you've read some of his other books you might not love it; it's a good intro to him, though.

4.5

In the same way that there are horse whisperers, I am increasingly coming to believe that Morpurgo is a child whisperer. I only wish that I had had access to Morpurgo when I was younger as whilst I absolutely love his writing, I feel like I miss out because really he is not speaking to me, he is speaking to people less than half my age. Most importantly, he always succeeds. ‘Private Peaceful’ is probably one of his most successful novels and for good reason! It tells the story of Tommo and Charlie Peaceful – two brothers who together with their mother, disabled brother, Joe, and friend Molly are simply learning to survive and negotiate growing up in their rural community following the tragic death of their father. Whilst their lives are harsh – food is often short and they frequently have to face the tyrannical wrath of the Colonel, who owns the estate on which they live, they are essentially carefree and happy. Naturally, this all changes when war is declared and the brothers are compelled, both literally by the Colonel and due to social pressure, to enlist (in Tommo’s case despite being only 15). What follows is deeply moving and tragic and I defy anyone not to shed a little tear or two at some point in this novel.

What Morpurgo does so deftly is to create a realistic and often emotive presentation of the war without recourse to grotesque detail or sensationalism. Rather the focus is very much on the human aspect. In fact, nearly half the novel is dedicated to the lives of the Peaceful’s before the war even begins. This alone was quite mesmerising in his depiction of a pre-war England that is so distant and different from our own contemporary society in both its education and rural nature. What is most striking though, is the way Morpurgo forces us to care about his characters, to become deeply embroiled in their lives and desperately desire their success. His often very simple writing is accessible and yet also heart wrenching.

In actual fact, I have read this novel twice this year (it is only short – about 183 pages). The first time for myself and the second time with a bottom set Year 9 class (a boy dominated group who, if asked, would undoubtedly say they did not like or ‘do’ reading). We read ‘Private Peaceful’ for 10-15 minutes at the start of every lesson for about 8 weeks and it had them utterly absorbed. I actually had to make sure I went round and collected the books once I had finished reading so that they got on with the main part of the lesson (where we were exploring war literature and media) or they would try to secretly keep reading the novel under the table. I think this probably says it all. ‘Private Peaceful’ was evidently a revelation to them and they actually looked forward to coming to the lesson to find out what was happening to Charlie and Tommo. This week, we started a new book and I had chosen another Morpurgo for them and the first thing several of them said was ‘Yeah – this is by the ‘Private Peaceful’ man.’ Morpurgo has clearly found some fans!

So why only four stars? Well, as an adult reader who has read novels such as Sassoon’s memoirs and taught Faulks’ ‘Birdsong’ several times to A Level classes, I am also aware that there is an element of romanticism in the portrayal. The language is very simplistic and I can see where the story is going so there is no element of surprise for me as an experienced reader. However, Morpurgo, quite rightly, is not writing for me. He is utterly in tune with his child readership and if I were 12, I would undoubtedly be giving this about 25 out of 5!

"Don't listen.... Don't look. Don't think. Only remember." Private Peaceful> is an example of the masterful use of flashback in its portrayal of the life of Thomas Peaceful, a private in the British army during WWI. For some reason not known until the end of the book, Private Peaceful wishes not to sleep on a certain night — the night before something will change his life forever. By reliving his whole life that night, Peaceful takes the reader closer to that life-changing event. Michael Morpurgo further enhances the suspense and makes the story come alive by dividing the book into different times of night. Private Peacefulis a reminiscent and nostalgic novel. I would recommend this book only to mature readers, however, as it contains several swear words, immoral conduct, war violence, and some complex anti-Christian statements.