by Andrew H Brown

Created on: December 31, 2008

When a friend, armed with the knowledge of my interest in all things connected to WW1, recommended a book for me to read, she gushed that I'd enjoy it ever-so, and my interest was piqued. When she then elaborated and told me it was a children's book, I thought, hmm.... maybe just this once, she's got it horribly wrong.

Did she get it wrong? - Read on.

PRIVATE PEACEFUL by MICHAEL MORPURGO

Michael Morpurgo wrote this novel after talking to three old farm-workers while researching another book altogether. They had described some of their thoughts about their experiences in WWI in such a way, that he was motivated to write this book.

Although it's entirely fictional, the title was inspired by a gravestone he encountered in Ypres, the scene of much of the British tragedy of that war.

The structure of the book is interesting.

The story begins with the central character (Tommo Peaceful) spending a long, lonely night looking back over his life. He doesn't want to sleep for some reason. He mustn't sleep, he can't sleep. He doesn't want to look forward, only back. Back over his life from his earliest memories.

Each chapter consists of a short passage where he describes what's happening throughout this night - what he's feeling and thinking, followed by the remainder of the chapter as a reminisce. Each chapter progresses to the point where they coincide with the opening passages.

A watch (with its own special significance) marks the passing of time throughout this night. Each chapter recounts its relentless journey - 11.10, 02.45, 04.15 etc. - toward the finality of dawn.

Immediately, the reader is drawn into speculation. Why is he looking back over his life in this way?

Is he sitting in a trench, awaiting the fateful order to 'go over the top'?

Or, is he lying wounded, in 'no-man's-land' (or as Tommo so succinctly calls it later - 'dead-man's-land')?

Perhaps he's trapped underground, buried alive by an explosion?

The reason isn't clear at first, we must draw our own conclusions.

It all begins when Tommo starts his first day at school, protected by Charlie, his big brother. Tommo lives with his Charlie, his mother, and their older brother, Big Joe. Big Joe suffered meningitis in childhood and as a result, was brain-damaged. The plight of Big Joe, a lovable, but simple soul, draws the family into a very tight-knit unit.

There are various ups-n-downs, highs-n-lows and spills-n-thrills. Many adventures and much sadness. For the most part, this book is about a young boy growing up on an

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