Maggie Fergusson - War child to War Horse

REVIEW WRITTEN BY BABS SIMPSON & READ LIVE ON THE BOOKSHOW 25TH SEPT 2014

THIS BIOGRAPHY IS AN HONEST ACCOUNT OF MICHAEL MORPURGO'S LIFE WHICH HE DECIDED NOT TO WRITE HIMSELF BECAUSE HE COULDN'T TRUST HIMSELF NOT TO VEER OFF INTO FICTION.  AS WELL AS HIS LIFE STORY, THERE ARE SEVEN NEW SHORT STORIES BY HIM RELEVANT TO VARIOUS CHAPTERS IN THE BOOK.

MICHAEL WAS BORN IN 1943 INTO AN INTERESTING FAMILY.  HIS MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER WAS A RENOWNED SHAKESPEAREAN ACTRESS AND HER HUSBAND A PASSIONATE BELGIAN POET.  HIS MOTHER, THEIR DAUGHTER, KIPPE AND HIS FATHER, TONY BRIDGE, WERE ALSO WORKING AS ACTORS WHEN THEY MET.

IN 1945 THE CHARISMATIC JACK MORPURGO CAME INTO THEIR LIVES, KIPPE AND TONY EVENTUALLY SEPARATED, TONY GOING TO LIVE IN CANADA & MICHAEL HAD A NEW FATHER IN JACK.

MICHAELS YOUNG LIFE WAS DOMINATED BY THE MOTHER HE ADORED AND HE DIDN'T LIKE HIS FIRST SCHOOLS IN LONDON.  THEN HE WENT TO PREP SCHOOL IN SUSSEX AS A BOARDER WITH  HIS ELDER BROTHER PIET, COMPLETING HIS EDUCATION AT THE KINGS SCHOOL CANTERBURY, WHICH HE ATTENDED ON A SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED TO A BOY WITH LEADERSHIP ABILITIES.  DURING AL THIS TIME HE SUFFERED HORRIBLY WITH HOMESICKNESS.  HE WAS NEVER OUTSTANDING ACADEMICALLY EVEN IN ENGLISH, BUT WAS POPULAR BEING VERY MUSICAL AND GOOD AT ALL SPORTS.  EVENTUALLY HE DECIDED THAT A CAREER IN THE ARMY WOULD SUIT HIM AND HE WAS ACCEPTED FOR MILITARY TRAINING AT SAND HURST ALTHOUGH HE QUICKLY REALISED THAT LIFE WAS NOT FOR HIM.

HE MET CLARE LANE, DAUGHTER OF THE LEGENDARY FOUNDER OF PENGUIN BOOKS, SIR ALLEN LANE.  THEY FELL IN LOVE AND GOT MARRIED WHEN HE WAS STILL ONLY 20.  IT'S LOVELY TO KNOW THAT, 50 YEARS ON, THEY ARE STILL IN LOVE AND VERY HAPPY.  CHILDREN FOLLOWED AND MICHAEL PURSUED A HALF-HEARTED CAREER AS A SCHOOLMASTER BUT HE WAS TOO UNCONVENTIONAL TO FIT IN.  HE CARED PASSIONATELY ABOUT GIVING CHILDREN THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES AND OPENING THEIR MINDS TO THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD AROUND THEM AND AFTER QUITE A FEW DIFFICULT YEARS, THINGS SUDDENLY FELL INTO PLACE.

THEY BECAME INVOLVED WITH THE FARMS FOR CITY CHILDREN PROJECT BOUGHT A PROPERTY IN DEVON WITH AN ADJOINING MIXED FARM AND FROM THEN ON TWENTY SIX 9-10 YR OLD CHILDREN AND A TEACHER WOULD ARRIVE EVERY FORTNIGHT TO STAY AND HAVE A TASTE OF COUNTRY LIFE, FEEDING THE ANIMALS, MILKING COWS, COLLECTING EGGS AND IN THE PROCESS DEVELOPING A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AS WELL AS RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND THOSE AROUND THEM.

IT WAS VERY HARD WORK FOR ALL THOSE ADULTS INVOLVED BUT INCREDIBLY REWARDING AND SATISFYING.  MICHAEL WOULD TAKE THE CHILDREN OUT INTO THE COUNTRY SIDE TO ENCOURAGE A FEELING FOR NATURE AND IN THE EVENINGS THEY WOULD BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO LISTEN TO STORIES HE HAD WRITTEN.

THE MORPURGOS LOVED THEIR LIFE IN DEVON AND INDEED STILL LIVE THERE.  MICHAEL DERIVED INSPIRATION FOR MANY OF HIS BOOKS FROM HIS SURROUNDINGS, INCLUDING THE ENORMOUSLY SUCCESSFUL AND POPULAR WAR HORSE AND DURING THAT TIME HIS WORK BEGAN TO BE PUBLISHED.

IN 1982 THE MORPURGO BOYS WENT ON A SCHOOL TRIP TO SCILLY AND CAME HOME ENTHUSING ABOUT THE ISLANDS.  CLARE HAD VISITED TRESCO AS A CHILD SO THEY DECIDED TO HAVE A FAMILY HOLIDAY.  TRESCO WAS FULL SOP THEY OPTED FOR B&B ON BRYHER.  NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY'VE BEEN BACK EVERY YEAR SINCE.

THERE IS SO MUCH IN THIS BOOK - LOTS OF INFORMATION AND INSIGHTS INTO THIS LOVELY MAN WHO HAS GIVEN GREAT JOY  TO SO MANY OTHERS THROUGH HIS WONDERFUL STORIES.  IT IS WRITTEN RATHER IN HIS OWN STYLE - SIMPLE, STRAIGHTFORWARD AND HONEST.  THERE IS MUCH TO LEARN FROM IT  & I'VE ONLY SKIMMED OVER IT HERE.  PLEASE READ IT, IT'S A LOVELY BOOK ABOUT A LOVELY MAN.

Michael Morpurgo - Little Manfred

review by Ro Bennett on show 8th Sept 2011

This is a another delightful book by Michael Morpurgo and illustrated beautifully by Michael Foreman. They make such a fantastic team! According to my research, Little Manfred was written for the Imperial War Museum and is a slightly fictionalised account of a true story.
In the Imperial War Museum there is a wooden Dachshund. The wooden toy was carved by a German Prisoner of War and given to the three children of a British family who befriended him on a Kent farm at the end of the Second World War and Little Manfred is the story of its journey from the family to the museum.
The story begins in the summer of 1966, just after England's famous footballing victory against the Germans in the World Cup Final. Charley and her little brother Alex are walking their dog Manfred on the beach when they notice two old men staring out to sea.
A chance encounter brings them together and The children discover that one of the men, Walter, had been a German prisoner of war. When the Bismarck was sunk, he was one of the few German survivors taken on board a British ship as a prisoner of war. He was sent to live with a host family, and had worked and lived on their farm in 1945. Slowly Charley and Alex learn of their mother’s past and the friendships that can be formed in the most difficult of circumstances.
Walter is visiting England, to go to the World Cup Final with an old friend and through his war time memories and time he spent on the farm, the book reveals why a little wooden pull-along toy is so special, particularly to Charley and Alex's mum, Grace.

The Story is based on facts - there are facts about the end of the 2nd world war and about football. It makes very interesting reading as well as imparting knowledge to the children who read itand will delight and educate young and older readers.
There is also an afterword about the history touched on in the story and a short chapter about Michael Foreman's memories of that World Cup... and another dog, this time named Pickles, who saved the day.

It's a compelling, heart warming story about friendship and kindness which captures the futility of war. I thought it was a lovely story and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Michael Morpurgo - The Best Christmas Present in the world

Michael Morpurgo: The Best Christmas Present in the world
This is a a beautifully presented book for children, illustrated by Michael Forman.
It’s about a man finding an envelope in a small black tin box in a hidden drawer in a roll top desk he has bought from a junk shop. Taped to the top of the envelope was a piece of lined notepaper and written on it in shaky handwriting is : ‘Jim’s last letter, received 25th January 1915. To be buried with me when the time comes’.
The envelope contains a letter from the front written by a soldier on December 26th 1914. In the letter to his wife Connie, JIm, the soldier describes the amazing and heart-warming incident when the Germans and the English lay down their arms for a Christmas truce.
Both sides came out of the trenches to share sausage and schnapps and rum and rations, then played a game of football before returning to their trenches again.
It’s a very moving story with a sweet ending.

Ro Bennett

Michael Morpurgo - Listen to the Moon

This review was written and read out live on the bookshow by Richard Larn on 5th Feb 2015.

*Please note it does have spoilers.

Michael Morpurgo has a gift of writing that equally appeals to both children and adults, and his latest book “Listen to the Moon” , which is set in Scilly, will not disappoint anyone.

The story concerns a New York family; father who is Canadian by birth

volunteers to join the British Army early in WW1 and goes off to France. Wounded, he is sent to a hospital near London and his family decided they must go to England to give him comfort and support. They embark

on the liner Lusitania and her sinking drowns all the family except for the 12 year old daughter. She and her friend Christine climb onto the ship’s grand piano floating in the sea and drift off into the Atlantic, but Chris disappears one night, leaving the American girl all alone.

        A German submarine rescues her,  and a sailor named Wilhelm Kruz becomes a friend, giving her a blanket embroidered with his name when they land her on St.Helen’s. Alone, no food, only rain water to drink she shelters in the Pest House till found by Alfie Wheatcroft, the young

son of the Veronica Farm family. Traumatised by her experience and unable to speak, when asked her name she can only say “Lucy”, and after weeks of silence becomes known as “Lucy Lost”. Only when Dr. Crow brings her a gramophone and Mozart records, including the classical piano piece “Andanta Grazioso”, does Lucy get out of bed, and thereafter plays and hums the tune for hours on end.

        Both Alfie and Lucy have a traumatic time at Tresco school where Mr Beagley – Beastley Beagley as the children call him, targets her as  possibly being German and an enemy, because of the blanket she continues to wear carrying the name Wilhelm embroidered on it. Lucy Lost turns out to be a brilliant pianist and the teachers helper, Miss Nightingale, encourages and befriends her.

            At Veronica Farm, Silly Uncle Billy who lives in a shed is restoring his boat, the Hispanolia, in which he is going to sail off to Treasure Island, “Yo Ho Ho, & a bottle of Rum”. He takes her to sea, finds a raft with two German sailors, one dead from U-19, the survivor being Wilhelm Kruz
and  brings them back to St. Mary’s. Wilhelm asks Dr.Crow in halting English, “Where is the girl, I do not see her?” No one understands. Then Lucy sees him, her speech is restored and in front of everyone she thanks Wilhelm for saving her life and the gift of the blanket, which she gives him back, telling everyone her real name is Merry McIntyre.  Wilhelm becomes a POW,  Lucy’s soldier father finds her on Scilly in an emotional reunion. He asks if she still hummed the tune Andanta Grazioso when she looked up at the moon at night – a pact they had made before he left for the war – Listen To the Moon, he said to her, and we will be together, no matter where.

         Lucy and Alfie eventually marry, visit America and return to Bryher, and every one lives happily ever after.

         It’s a beautiful quite moving story, and I highly recommend it.

Michael Morpurgo - Listen to the Moon

Book review written & read out live on bookshow by Maggie Perkovic 25th Sept 2014
The new book by Michael Morpurgo is set in Scilly in 1915 and although
I always feel a bit"sniffy" about locally written stories the sheer art of story telling
that this author specialises in soon drew me in and I was totally enthralled
and read it through almost without pause. It is very well researched and
of course superbly well written. I defy any one to not be moved by the whole
book and remember the story long afterwards. One of his best I would say.
Maggie Perkovic.

Michael Morpurgo - Listen to the Moon.

review written by Babs Simpson & read live on the bookshow 25th Sept 2014

I LOVE THIS AUTHORS WORK.  I KNOW It IS INTENDED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE BUT THE STYLE IS UNIVERSAL AND THE STORY IS HEART-WARMING AND FULL OF THE BEST AND WORST OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR.  MM HAS RETURNED TO BRYHER FOR 'LISTEN TO THE MOON'.  

IT IS 1915 AND THE WORLD WAR IS RAGING IN EUROPE.  EVEN LITTLE BRYHER IS AFFECTED - YOUNG MEN HAVE GONE OFF TO FIGHT AND ONE, JACK BRODY, HAS RETURNED HORRIBLY INJURED AND SUFFERING TERRIBLY.

YOUNG ALFIE WHEATCROFT IS OUT FISHING WITH HIS FATHER JIM WHEN THEY HEAR A STRANGE CRYING COMING FROM ST HELEN'S.  THEY GO ASHORE TO FIND A YOUNG GIRL, THIN, SOAKING WET, FREEZING COLD AND NEAR TO DEATH IN THE PEST HOUSE.  JIM CARRIES HER TO THE BOAT, ALFIE ROWS HOME AND MARY, HIS MOTHER, TAKES THE GIRL IN TO TRY TO REVIVE HER.

 

THIS MYSTERIOUS CHILD DOESN'T SPEAK AND HER ONLY POSSESSIONS - A  GREY BLANKET WITH A LABEL SAYING 'WILHELM' AND A BEDRAGGLED TOY RABBIT MARKED 'STEIFF' - SEEM TO INDICATE THAT SHE IS GERMAN.  IS SHE ONE OF THE ENEMY?  A SPY EVEN?

MARY CUTS OFF THE LABELS.  ALL SHE KNOWS IS THAT A POOR CHILD IS GRAVELY ILL AND SHE MUST DO HER BEST FOR HER.

THE ONLY WORD THE GIRL HAS BEEN HEARD TO WHISPER IS 'LUCY', SO SHE BECOMES KNOWN TO EVERYONE AS LUCY LOST.  BUT AS SHE RECOVERS HER STRENGTH, SO THE RUMOURS START AND ALL THE FAMILY BEGIN TO SUFFER THE WHISPERS AND INSULTS THAT SPREAD AROUND THE ISLAND.  ALFIE IS BULLIED AT SCHOOL AND EVEN THE CRUEL HEADMASTER IS GUILTY OF PREJUDICE AND UNKINDNESS TO POOR DUMB LUCY WHEN SHE IS FORCED TO ATTEND.

GRADUALLY WE LEARN ABOUT LUCY, WHO SHE IS, WHERE SHE CAME FORM AND HOW SHE ENDED UP ON ST HELENS IN SUCH A PITIFUL STATE.

THIS IS AN IMMENSELY SATISFYING STORY, WELL TOLD AND QUITE RIVETTING.  BRYHER IS OF COURSE BEAUTIFULLY DESCRIBED AND THE PEOPLE, WARTS AND ALL ARE REAL.  MICHAEL MORPURGO IS A VERY CLEVER WRITER.  HIS BOOKS ARE FOR CHILDREN BUT THEIR SIMPLICITY IS BEAUTIFUL AND NEVER PATRONISING.

THE STORY WINDS TO A WONDERFUL CLIMAX AND TO MY GREAT JOY, WE FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS.  TOO OFTEN A TRIUMPHANT ENDING LEAVES ME WANTING TO KNOW WHAT EVERYONE DID AFTERWARDS.

A LOVELY BOOK

Michael Morpurgo - War Horse

review by Ro Bennett live on show 7th June 2012.
I resisted reading this book for a long time because I really didn’t want to read any more about the First World War and its horrors and heartbreak. When it came out as a film and on the stage I decided that I didn’t want to see them either as the angst would be even more graphic and embed the tragic images in my mind and give me nightmares.

Then Fiona offered to lend me her grandson’s copy which she said she had read and found very touching. It was very sad, it did make me cry but it was also heartwarming and moving and well worth reading.

This is the product description:
From master storyteller, Michael Morpurgo comes an incredibly moving story about one horse's experience in the deadly chaos of the first world war. In 1914, Joey, a young farm horse, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges towards the enemy, witnessing the horror of the frontline. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him.

Right from the beginning I identified with Joey and was drawn into his story and his emotions: his fear when he was separated from his mother as a young foal at the market where he was bought by Alberts father, his vulnerability to harsh or kind treatment from those who owned him or worked with him, the cruelty of war and its dreadful repercussions.

The story wasn’t just about Joey charging into battle after battle, Joey has many different experiences which give the reader a variety of insights into both the experiences of those fighting, to the life of the civilians in a country where a war is being fought.

I really cared about Joey and his fate and that of Albert who loved him so much. I was upset when Albert’s father was unkind to Joey, I was dismayed when Albert was sold to the Army and he and Albert were separated. As the story unfolds, with many twists and turns, the characters and other horses Joey meets are very well depicted. It is an interesting, gripping page turner, taking the reader on a roller coaster of emotion, but despite its grim subject matter it is a story of hope.

Finally I loved it when, as the Queen sailed down the Thames in the Jubilee River Pageant she received a unique salute from Joey the War Horse at the National Theatre. Ever since the Queen visited the play in 2009, Joey has been a firm favourite of hers and has even paid a private visit to Windsor Castle. He looked absolutely splendid and it was very moving - a worthy tribute!

Michael Morpurgo - War Horse

Review by Brian Lowen on show 13th May.
An unusual, but delightful and relatively short story.

The second paragraph comes as quite a surprise :
I was not yet six months old, a gangling, leggy colt who had never been more than a few feet from his Mother.

The whole story is related through the eyes of the horse who grows up to be a fine red stallion. Luckily the horse can understand what the humans are saying so we know what is going on!

The young horse is bought in the sale ring by a farmer and is put to work on the farm. Albert, the farmer’s son takes over managing the horse and they grow to become inseparable friends. Then the first world war breaks out and the horse, now named Joey, is bought by the army and shipped over to Germany. Albert is too young to join up but is determined to do so when he is old enough and seek out his horse who is now pulling guns in France.

We follow the fortunes of Joey as he experiences the horrors of the battle and his friendship with another fine horse called Topthorn.
Finally Albert is eligible for service and enlists in the veterinary corps as he feels this is the best way of finding his lost friend.
Does he find his horse? Well, if the ending to this lovely story does not bring tears to your eyes then you must be a very insensitive person.

Thoroughly recommended, and at only 182 pages a great story with a feel good factor.
review by Brian.

Michael Morpurgo - Private Peaceful

Book review written by Brian Lowen & read live on bookshow 18th Dec 2014

A lovely book this set in the times leading up to the first world war, suitable for adults and children.

The story is told by Thomas Peaceful, sixteen years old, who is holed up in an old barn, somewhere in France, near the front line in the war. He is spending the night here, waiting for the dawn and unable to get to sleep, but we do not know why and what dreadful thing he is waiting for, until the end of the story.

As he lays there, hour by hour, he thinks back over his short life and all the things that have happened to him and his family.

Tommo, as he is known, is the youngest of three children with Charlie as the next up and the oldest is Big Joe who unfortunately is a bit simple and cannot read or write so did not go to school with Tommo and Charlie. Charlie was always one class ahead of Tommo but he always looked out for his younger brother and then Tommo was lucky in palling up with Molly, who he had a big crush on. The three of them had many adventures together on the large estate where they lived. Their Dad was a forester for the Colonel who lived up in the big house and owned the estate, including their small cottage, which was tied to the job.

So, hour by hour, through the night we follow the story until the two boys leave school and get jobs on the estate. When war
breaks out, Charlie is volunteered by the Colonel to enlist in the Infantry. Tommo, not wanting to be separated from his brother, lies about his age and enlists as well.

The story is full of lovely reminiscences and is a joy to read. The characters are all well drawn, and this is an easy to read book.

Michael Morpurgo - Listen to the Moon

review by showhost 25th Sept 2014

I was a little unsure when I started reading it that I was going to like it, it seemed a little slow and simplistic but as the pages went on I got really engrossed in it.  I suppose it helps that we live on the Scillies, which is where the book is based and that I can stop and look over to St Helens and Bryher, where the story took place.  I loved the historical fact which was intertwined within the story.

It is 1915 and Britain is at war with Germany.  Alfie and his father are fishing for Mackerel when they hear what sounds like a girl crying on the uninhabited island of St Helens.  They investigate and find an injured, dehydrated, malnourished young girl, a stranger to the islands.  The girl cannot speak and has no recollection of who she is or where she came from.  The only word she says is Lucy - so Lucy Lost she became known.  She is taken in by Alfies family and accepted by the locals but speech doesn't come.  She is fascinated by the gramophone and Mozart and can play the piano competently as well as ride a horse.  As the war rages, with Germany, local lads are going off to war one returning a broken person from how he went & others will not return at all.  The islanders friendliness turns to hostility.when it is discovered that Lucy has a blanket with a german name on it and Lucy and Alfie face daily threats.  During the story we learn about a girl called Merry, who lives in New York with her family.  Who, when her father goes off to war and is injured and taken to Britain, undertakes the transatlantic crossing with her mother on the ill fated Lusitania.

I really enjoyed this book. Island life comes across very well.

show 23rd Dec 2010

bookshow christmas special this week with host of guests:
Malcolm Martland, Ro Bennett, Brian Lowen & Babs Simpson.
All got their fave xmas book to mention plus jokes & quips. Well that was how the show was going to start but Malcolm couldn't make it; then there were three!
Babs talked about her fav book 'Frenchmans Creek' by Daphne DuMaurier and Brian talked about one of his favs - Simon Hall.
Ro, however, brough in her IPad and talked about her fav downloaded book, with audio version too! This was: J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters from Father Christmas.
Her other chosen fav was: Michael Morpurgo: The Best Christmas Present in the world

show May 13th 2010

Guests this week were Lesley Jones and her daughter Leonie, plus Brian Lowen. Books being reviewed were Praye for Owen Meany by John Irving, War Horse by Michael Morpurgo, business of Dying by Simon Kernick and Horse Boy by Rupert Isaacson.