Private Peaceful by Michael Morpurgo
on Sheila Ash (India), 02/Mar/2014 09:50, 34 days ago
Private PeacefulbyMichael MorpurgoIdyllic memories of childhood pre WW1 are recounted through the night by an under age soldier in France as he waits for the hour of death to come at 6AM. To begin with you are not sure exactly where Tommo Peaceful is, as he lies there recalling his father’s death, his mother, his brothers Charlie and Big Joe, the love of his life Molly who has married Charlie and their schooldays and working life together before they joined up and were shipped off to fight. After a few chapters you realise he is at the front, and for a short time you assume it ishis death which is approaching perhaps anticipating some big push over the barricades. But, no, it is the brother’s. One brother paying the ultimate price for staying with the other. The carnage of the trenches and the horrors of the gas provide the ultimate contrast to his memories of country  life. Ultimately, this is a book about brotherly love, about doing what is right irrespective of the consequences– with a nice touch across the lines when the German soldier spares Peaceful’s life. This book will grab you from the first chapter “Five Past Ten” all the way through to its last “One Minute to Six” and provide a night to remember.“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning,We will remember them”Extract from‘For The Fallen’ by Laurence Binyonashramblings verdict 5* quite simply a great book, deeply moving and poignant.ashramblings