By: Michael Morpurgo
Number of Pages: 182
Published in: 1982
Published By: Egmont
The Blurb: I saw the grey soldiers ahead of us raise their rifles and heard the death rattle of a machine gun.... A powerful story of the truest friendships in the worst of wars from the award-winning master storyteller Michael Morpurgo.
Fave Quote: "Wherever you are , I'll find you, Joey."
"Separated By War Tested by Battle Bound by Friendship"
That's the line on the cover of this Book and it was spot on this is not my first and won't be my last Michael Morpurgo book. I love Morpurgos work he is my all time favorite children's author. I took my time with this book it may be short but there are moments in this story that will stick with you. If you have watched the film the book may disappoint or it may not but I am not hear to talk about the film that's a sperate entity. War horse as it suggests follows a horse called Joey and you meet Joey at a horse sale and he gets brought by a farmer Mr Narracot and there Joey forms a bond with Albert and Albert is kind to Joey and talks to him even though Joey doesn't understand him all through the book you read Joey's thoughts so he doesn't talk like you expect in some animal books but to me that's more like real life and as a reader its more personal and intimate. Unfortunately World War One Starts and the Army want equipment Horses etc and Albert s father has no choice but to sell Joey to the army and for me thats the first real gut rencing sacrifice that people made and Albert makes and Albert wants to sign up for the army just so he can be with his beloved horse but he is too young and Albert Promises Joey he will find him "Wherever you are I'll find you Joey". The Middle Part of the book is the time Joey spends time with both armies first he spends time training with the British Army were he meets Top-thorn who is another horse and is under the care of Captain Nichols and others. Joey is trained up to go fight on the front line. I like Captain Nichols as he keeps his promise to Albert and sends pictures of Joey. When they get to France they fight they go to No mans land and Murpugo writes this brilliant and builds it up he writes war for children very well and any child or adult will understand what does happen in this chapter of the book.After there time with the British army Joey and Top-thorn then help the German medical army and stay with Emil lie and her grandfather for a bit and again Emil-lie adores Joey and says that she will hide them after the army is finished with them. The medical army leaves the area and the Horses stay until a another German Army Group comes and take Joey and Top thorn to help with taking the massive gun to the front line I didn't like this bit if you have read the book you will understand why. The book then builds up nicely to that Iconic Scene of Joey galloping and getting caught in the wire out in the middle of no-mans land. The movie did Justice and i am glad that the movie kept a lot of the story. The scene with the two soldiers is very funny and heartwarming English and German coming together to help a horse free is such a powerful image and gives hope that 2 sides can work together. This book is about war so it makes sense for such content that this story has a happy ending and the reunion with Albert is a touching once when Albert is describing to his friend who is washing Joey what Joey looks like is funny "He was my Albert and there was no doubt about it he was My Albert " The ending with the grandfather buying Joey at the Horse sale and selling Joey back for a penny was touching and made me smile "I sell you this Horse for one English Penny and for a solemn promise that you will always love this horse as much as my Emile" What a lovely message to children and adults I will sell you a horse in exchange you tell everyone about my granddaughter.
I think Children and Adults would love this book powerful moving and is so believable its a good way to introduce children about war and the sacrifices that were made and still being made today. 5/5
