2012*1st* Private Peaceful - Michael Morpurgo(HarperCollins)

Good clean unclipped first edition from the author of Warhorse. 

**_Private Peaceful_** by **Michael Morpurgo**, first published in 2003, is a poignant historical novel aimed at young adult readers, set during **World War I**. The story follows the lives of two brothers, **Tommo** and **Charlie Peaceful**, as they grow up in the English countryside and eventually go off to fight in the war. The novel deals with themes of **love, loss, family loyalty**, and the brutal realities of war, offering a deeply emotional and often heart-wrenching perspective on the sacrifices made by soldiers.

### **Plot Summary**:
The story is narrated by **Tommo Peaceful**, who recounts his life in a series of flashbacks over the course of a single night while waiting for a pivotal event at dawn. As Tommo waits, he remembers his childhood with his older brother, Charlie, and their struggles growing up after the death of their father. They both fall in love with a girl named **Molly**, though it's Charlie who eventually marries her.

As the war begins, both brothers are sent to the Western Front, where they experience the horrors of trench warfare. The novel starkly portrays the brutality and senselessness of war, while also highlighting the love and loyalty that binds the brothers together. Charlie, always the protector of Tommo, plays a critical role throughout, even as they face the unimaginable in the trenches.

The narrative builds toward a devastating climax, which reveals the true meaning behind Tommo’s all-night vigil. Without giving too much away, the ending is a powerful indictment of the way soldiers, particularly young ones, were treated during World War I, particularly regarding military discipline and the harsh penalties for desertion.

### **Themes**:
- **Brotherhood and Loyalty**: The bond between Tommo and Charlie is the emotional core of the novel. Charlie's unwavering loyalty to Tommo, even in the direst of circumstances, speaks to the strength of familial love.
- **The Horrors of War**: Morpurgo does not shy away from depicting the violence and trauma of World War I. The novel serves as a strong anti-war statement, criticizing the senseless destruction and the tragic loss of life.
- **Injustice**: A key theme in *Private Peaceful* is the injustice faced by soldiers who were court-martialed and executed for desertion, many of whom were suffering from shell shock (now known as PTSD). This historical reality adds an additional layer of tragedy to the story.
- **Innocence and Experience**: Tommo's transformation from a naive, innocent boy into a young man hardened by the realities of war is a powerful element of the novel. His reflections on his childhood and his experiences on the battlefield show the loss of innocence that war brings.

### **Style and Structure**:
The novel is structured with alternating chapters, moving between Tommo’s memories of his youth and the present-day events at the front. This dual structure allows the reader to see the contrast between the peaceful, idyllic countryside life and the nightmare of the trenches. Morpurgo's simple yet evocative writing style makes the emotions in the story accessible, particularly for younger readers, while still being deeply affecting for adults.

### **Reception and Impact**:
*Private Peaceful* has been widely praised for its emotional depth, its strong anti-war message, and its historical relevance. It won several awards, including the **Blue Peter Book Award**, and was adapted into a stage play and a film in 2012. The novel is often used in schools as a way to teach young people about World War I and its impact on soldiers and their families.

### **Historical Context**:
The novel also brings attention to the real historical injustice of soldiers being executed for cowardice or desertion during World War I. Morpurgo was inspired to write the book after learning about the many young soldiers who were unjustly shot at dawn, something that adds a sobering historical weight to the story.

*Private Peaceful* is a moving and thought-provoking novel that captures both the intimate emotional bonds of family and the wide-scale devastation of war. Its message about the human cost of conflict resonates deeply, making it a powerful and enduring work of literature.