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I re-read my copy of Michael Morpurgo's book Private Peaceful the other day. It seems like ages since I first read it (well, actually it IS ages), but I remember now why I enjoyed it so mcuh the first time around.

THE AUTHOR.

Michael Morpurgo was born in St Albans in 1943 and gained his education at Kings Canterbury, Sandhurst and Kings College in London. He has been a teacher and his books have been published since 1975. He is married and has three children and is frequently to be found visiting schools and other places talking about his books. Throughout his writing career he has published over 95 books, many of which have been adapted for screen and theatre. He (and his wife) run a charity called Farms for City Children, which has opened a little bit of countryside up for inner city kids. Michael Morpurgo has been awarded an MBE for this work and for his services to literature.

THE PLOT.

Private Peaceful is a book about the awful realities of World War One. It centres around the character of Tommo Peaceful - a Private in the trenches of WW1. The story follows a night in his life and sees him reliving his life as he waits for morning. As the night passes Tommo tells his story as he sits in a silent vigil - his childhood, his family, his loves and the horror of life under fire, are all part of the young Private's short life. The ending is shocking and poignant - a memorable book!

~~~WHAT I THOUGHT.

Private Peaceful was well worth the wait! It isn't what you would term a "nice" book - the story deals with war, fear, death and human interaction; but it is certainly a well written and interesting story. In terms of subject matter it is quite a difficult read; it deals with the horrors of war; the smells, the pain, the death, the dirt, the rats and the loss of innocence and young lives. It is, however, an intensely rewarding read, we learn about Tommo's loves, his childhood and his desire to remember EVERYTHING because his memories are the only "sane" thing he can cling on to.

"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."

Like many young men in WW1, Tommo joins up full of patriotism and pride and the prospect of fighting for his country. None of them realized just how bad it would be out there and just how horrific the injuries the soldiers could sustain. As Tommo and Charlie fight

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