Thursday 22 May 2014

Michael Morpurgo

My favourite Michael Morpurgo books are Private Peaceful, War Horse and Waiting for Anya. He manages to make you feel the pain and hardship of the world wars in a vivid and real way bringing you close to the heart of each of the characters. Morpurgo's other books aren't as gripping and I would defiantly advise that if you could only read one of his books it would be War Horse, Private Peaceful or Waiting For Anya.

Toro! Toro!

Toro! Toro! is set in Spain during the civil war and is the story of a young boy and his family. His father breeds bulls for the bull rink and his Uncle is a famous Bull fighter but what Michael doesn't know is that the bulls don't always survive.

This book is sad but I think that in the end so many members of his family die abruptly and without the reader having any attachment to them that it isn't very emotional. I think this is partly because I was too old for it and also because Michael Morpurgo's other books are so engaging and emotional.

The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips
This was a very interesting story about a girl in one of the world wars. It's not Private Peaceful or War Horse but it is gripping and the fact it is about a little girl and a cat makes it very different from anything else Morpurgo has written.

This story shows the way people at home in England were effected in a very dramatic and effective way, this little girl is not affected by real bombs and guns but instead by the bombs the soldiers used to practice. She is confronted with her own small war.


King of the Cloud Forests
This was the first fantasy/fact book that I had read by Michael Morpurgo and to be honest it isn't that good. The plot line is interesting but the emotions and resolution aren't captivating and unlike his other books

Michael lives with his father and uncle Sung in China peacefully enough until the outbreak of war. Japanese bombers constantly threaten them and there are others who hate missionaries and only need a little push before they become violent as well.

King of the Cloud Forests is a good relaxing read but there are plenty of better Michael Morpurgo books worth reading.


Why the Wales Came
Michael Morpurgo's books are generally to do with war or animals, sometimes he incorporates the two. My favourite Michael Morpurgo book has to be either War Horse or Private Peaceful both of which are very emotional and made me burst into tears. Why the Wales Came is another book that involves both war and animals but neither of them are involved directly.

Samson is haunted, no one knows by what or who, but it is. No one's tested it, no one needs too, they all know they have to stay away. They also keep as far away from the Birdman as possible, he isn't normal, they think he made the curse. That's why when Gracie and David go to play with their boats on his part of the island they can't tell anyone.

This book is a great break from anything more challenging you might be reading, for example Arabian Nights or The Wouldbegoods.

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