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War Horse
(War Horse #1)
by
A powerful tale of war, redemption and a hero's journey.
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches ...more
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches ...more
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Hardcover, 165 pages
Published
April 1st 2007
by Scholastic Press
(first published June 3rd 1982)
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Nov 09, 2013
Ahmad Sharabiani
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
historical,
childrens-young-readers,
literature,
movie,
20th-century,
animals,
fiction,
war
War Horse (War Horse #1), Michael Morpurgo
War Horse is a children's novel by British author Michael Morpurgo. It was first published in 1982. The story recounts the experiences of Joey, a horse purchased by the Army for service in World War I France and the attempts of young Albert, his previous owner, to bring him safely home. It formed the basis of both an award winning play (2007) and an acclaimed film adaptation (2011) by Steven Spielberg.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز ششم ماه نوامبر سال 2013میلاد ...more
War Horse is a children's novel by British author Michael Morpurgo. It was first published in 1982. The story recounts the experiences of Joey, a horse purchased by the Army for service in World War I France and the attempts of young Albert, his previous owner, to bring him safely home. It formed the basis of both an award winning play (2007) and an acclaimed film adaptation (2011) by Steven Spielberg.
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز ششم ماه نوامبر سال 2013میلاد ...more
“I can hate you more, but I'll never love you less.”
This book is so beautiful in many ways. I wanted to weep all day after I finished. War Horse is very unique because it's told by Joey, a horse being thrusted into the war on the Western Front. The story is innocent, yet it's so sensational and full of angst from the characters. I felt attached to the story from the first chapter and couldn't peel my eyes off then. Morpugo created such a striking story about the war with a horse and a boy t ...more
War Horse is one of the best-known children’s novels by Michael Morpurgo. And it is an enormously poignant little book.
As the title suggests, it is the odyssey of a horse, Joey, brought from Devon across the English Channel and into France and the hell of the Great War, both through the English and the German trenches. The story is narrated in simple language (in, say, the tradition of Ernest Hemingway) from the unusual perspective of the horse. And this is done with an incredible sense of human ...more
As the title suggests, it is the odyssey of a horse, Joey, brought from Devon across the English Channel and into France and the hell of the Great War, both through the English and the German trenches. The story is narrated in simple language (in, say, the tradition of Ernest Hemingway) from the unusual perspective of the horse. And this is done with an incredible sense of human ...more
Small Books can often leave big impressions and this is the case with War Horse by Michael Morpurgo.
Michael Murpurgo writes wonderful children's novels and I had loved some of his books very much and War Horse is one of those books that leaves a lasting impression.
This is not a novel with a complicated plot or twists and turns but a beautiful story simply told and I find sometimes these can be the best.
Warhorse is a moving story about a horse called Joey and his experiences during service in th ...more
Michael Murpurgo writes wonderful children's novels and I had loved some of his books very much and War Horse is one of those books that leaves a lasting impression.
This is not a novel with a complicated plot or twists and turns but a beautiful story simply told and I find sometimes these can be the best.
Warhorse is a moving story about a horse called Joey and his experiences during service in th ...more
If somebody told me that book written in horse's POV would be this emotional, I wouldn't have believed it.
From page one, I knew that this wasn't going to be happy and light read (even in chapter 1 so much happened). It dealt with war, and how unfair and stupid it is. But it also dealt with so much more than that. It's a story about friendship, loyalty, love and survival. And I felt like this book was so much longer than it actually was. I guess that is because so much happened in it. But surpris ...more
From page one, I knew that this wasn't going to be happy and light read (even in chapter 1 so much happened). It dealt with war, and how unfair and stupid it is. But it also dealt with so much more than that. It's a story about friendship, loyalty, love and survival. And I felt like this book was so much longer than it actually was. I guess that is because so much happened in it. But surpris ...more
A beautiful and touching story. Not overly complicated or grim but simple and clean and easy to follow but also easy to care about the characters.
I'm clearly the only person in the world who doesn't like, doesn't get, this book.
The horse is a Gary Stu (See here if you don't know what one of those is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue) - he knows everything, from what guns and cannons are, to what wire is and what it can do, the terms for everythng in his world, including politics and the type of bit in his mouth.
I'm used to anthropomorphic animals, and have been since I was born--but Joey should be dressed up in a waistcoat and walking ...more
The horse is a Gary Stu (See here if you don't know what one of those is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue) - he knows everything, from what guns and cannons are, to what wire is and what it can do, the terms for everythng in his world, including politics and the type of bit in his mouth.
I'm used to anthropomorphic animals, and have been since I was born--but Joey should be dressed up in a waistcoat and walking ...more
I listened to this on audio and was listening to this while making my way to a ‘gig’ at Wooster College in Ohio, where I was to draw caricatures. Drawing caricatures for the public requires a certain amount of upbeat interaction, so it might not have been a good time to cry over Joey the War Horse. I hope my Eyes weren’t all puffy.
Joey is a special horse. Special enough to be purchased to serve in the first world war as a Calvary horse. But the whole time he is in the war he longs for the day he ...more
Joey is a special horse. Special enough to be purchased to serve in the first world war as a Calvary horse. But the whole time he is in the war he longs for the day he ...more
A book about war. About fighting and surviving.
A book about friendship and loyalty. And about death and grief and moving on.
Written from the POV of a horse, this book was absolutely breathtaking. And honetsly, not only the book. I cried when I read the book and I cried even harder when I watched the movie.
It was one of the few books I read that was actually about WWI. Since so many books are about the Second World War I was very intrigued about a book that pictured the First one!
The main part ...more
This story wrecked me. It's a children's book but definitely of a dark(er) nature as it deals with experiences from WWI. And it is all written from the persective of Joey, the titular horse.
Joey was sold to a farm when young. There, he met Albert, his friend, brother, master. Albert's father, who bought Joey when drunk to stick it to a neighbouring farmer, is not a man one can like (easily), but Albert is not only young and idealistic but also kind and gentle. One day, Joey is sold to the Army f ...more
Joey was sold to a farm when young. There, he met Albert, his friend, brother, master. Albert's father, who bought Joey when drunk to stick it to a neighbouring farmer, is not a man one can like (easily), but Albert is not only young and idealistic but also kind and gentle. One day, Joey is sold to the Army f ...more
Such a touching hero's tale and such a daring point of view for its audience. I am not an animal person (to the chagrin of my family members) and the beginning chapters of this book just ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it. For Joey to be a survivor and still have such love in his soul is so moving.
...more
Childhood memories always appear like pixelated images you can't fully decipher. Whenever someone asks me what my earliest childhood book memory it often goes back to little me clutching and reading Black Beauty on the living room floor.
Reading War Horse gave me the same childhood innocence and affection — deeply caring over another horse, Joey (another unforgettable horse of literature for me was Orwell's Boxer in Animal Farm), as he ventured in a world at war, of violence and cruelty, and fin ...more
Reading War Horse gave me the same childhood innocence and affection — deeply caring over another horse, Joey (another unforgettable horse of literature for me was Orwell's Boxer in Animal Farm), as he ventured in a world at war, of violence and cruelty, and fin ...more
Such a beautiful story.
Watched the film immediately after reading and couldn’t stop crying.
Watched the film immediately after reading and couldn’t stop crying.
With this poignant and heart-wrenching novel, with his War Horse, author Michael Morpurgo (while of course focussing primarily on the main character, a so-called war horse, who like Anna Sewell's Black Beauty, personally narrates his own story) demonstrates both clearly and also rather painfully not only the utter futility and wanton destructiveness of war in a general sense, but that like poor Joey, the common foot soldiers (in this particular case, the British and German soldiers of WWI) are b
...more
Feb 02, 2017
Sheila Goicea
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone
See my FULL review of this book on my blog along with others at: shesgoingbookcrazy.com
I remember when I saw this movie when it first came out in theatre. At the time, I didn’t realize it was an adaptation from a book. Naturally, when I learned of its origins, I had to read the book as well! War Horse is told in a similar fashion to Black Beauty, as it is told from the horse’s (Joey’s) perspective. While this point ...more
”That’s what war is all about, my friend. It’s about which of us is the madder.”
I remember when I saw this movie when it first came out in theatre. At the time, I didn’t realize it was an adaptation from a book. Naturally, when I learned of its origins, I had to read the book as well! War Horse is told in a similar fashion to Black Beauty, as it is told from the horse’s (Joey’s) perspective. While this point ...more
This is a double wow book for me! Joey, the war horse, tells about his adventures during World War 1 and the special bond he has with a young boy named Albert. At only 160 pages or so, it goes very fast. I loved it! I look forward to seeing the movie which is coming out on Christmas.
(Gerard's review)
War Horse is a touching book that kept my interest all through. Although it is a children's book, I enjoyed it but must admit I got teary-eyed reading it. Parts were very sad but I loved the ending! ...more
(Gerard's review)
War Horse is a touching book that kept my interest all through. Although it is a children's book, I enjoyed it but must admit I got teary-eyed reading it. Parts were very sad but I loved the ending! ...more
This was probably not intended as a children's book, it has plenty for the adult reader, offering more depth than many books written for adults for adults. The narrative style is sufficiently engaging that it has great potential for reading at a single sitting.
Making Joey, the (war) horse, the narrator was a brilliant move on Michael Morpurgo's part, since it simultaneously encourages children to think about the effect of their actions on others (for who could not empathise with Joey?) and helps ...more
Making Joey, the (war) horse, the narrator was a brilliant move on Michael Morpurgo's part, since it simultaneously encourages children to think about the effect of their actions on others (for who could not empathise with Joey?) and helps ...more
One of those books where the movie makes a big splash and then you realize, hey, it was a book first?! Being someone who feels traumatized by Black Beauty even years later, I didn't plan on reading this. But my 11yo read it for Battle of the Books, and to my SHOCK she (the child who is still talking about how sad The One and Only Ivan is) loved this and urged me to read it. So I did! And I loved it. Joey is great, and I liked how "horsey" it was without being too pedantic. Short, interesting, an
...more
4.5 Stars
Wow! This was so close to being 5 stars I wish it was LONGER!
This is an emotional and heart-warming story all told through one brave horse’s experience of war. I mean this book really got me in the feels amazingly written and unexpectedly emotional.
I am not always 100% on war film but this really was a beautiful book! I’m not an emotional person and this one nearly had me crying a few times I LOVE joey and I don’t even like horses.
"‘Why does this war have to destroy anything and every ...more
Wow! This was so close to being 5 stars I wish it was LONGER!
This is an emotional and heart-warming story all told through one brave horse’s experience of war. I mean this book really got me in the feels amazingly written and unexpectedly emotional.
I am not always 100% on war film but this really was a beautiful book! I’m not an emotional person and this one nearly had me crying a few times I LOVE joey and I don’t even like horses.
"‘Why does this war have to destroy anything and every ...more
I read this with my 12 year old son. Heartwarming stuff! There may have been a few tears...
I thought the movie was just OK since Hollywood rarely does horses well. The incessant snorting about drove me crazy, so when I ran across this audio book at the library, I thought I'd see if the book was better. It was & it turns out the movie was fairly faithful to the book, so bring plenty of tissues. It reminds me a lot of "Black Beauty" since it is told from the horse's point of view. Yes, it's a bit sappy at times, but not terribly often & gives a great view of WWI. Better yet, it's short,
...more
I love this book! I read it about a month ago and it melted my heart. The book takes place during World War I and is from the view of Horses who are put in battle. The main horse was taken from his friend who is a farm boy. The book is sad and I loved it when the Horse was being taken care of by one of the army men. This is a short book and I would highly recommend it.
4.5/5 stars for this book.
Thank you Michael Morpurgo for writing this book. :)
4.5/5 stars for this book.
Thank you Michael Morpurgo for writing this book. :)
This is a children's book which I picked up completely by chance. I am currently studying Graphic Design and there happens to be a project which requires illustrating this book and so naturally I had to read it in order to know how to illustrate it, and my goodness I am so happy I did choose to pick this up!!
This is a story which is told from the point of view of a Horse named Joey. I wouldn't have expected a book described in that way to come across as well and as emotionally as it has, but hon ...more
This is a story which is told from the point of view of a Horse named Joey. I wouldn't have expected a book described in that way to come across as well and as emotionally as it has, but hon ...more
This book, y'all. This book is simply amazing.
It's beautiful and heartbreaking and action-packed and all in all fantastic.
While the writing style is simplistic and almost middle-grade in nature, the plot is most definitely not. It forces the reader to face complex issues like the passing away of tradition and how war used to be fought. How we now see war--as a bloody, heartless machine--is just beginning to emerge. While war was still brutal (can we talk about all the gassing that went on in t ...more
It's beautiful and heartbreaking and action-packed and all in all fantastic.
While the writing style is simplistic and almost middle-grade in nature, the plot is most definitely not. It forces the reader to face complex issues like the passing away of tradition and how war used to be fought. How we now see war--as a bloody, heartless machine--is just beginning to emerge. While war was still brutal (can we talk about all the gassing that went on in t ...more
Very interesting book...and quite touching, in a clean and non-cloying way.
I am familiar with the play, so I knew the basic plot line. I wish I had read the book first ... the play is SO powerful - and so theatrically charged with the larger-than-life stage puppets who play the horses - that the book seemed somewhat small to me. But, that's okay. It's really a small story - even though it's played against the world stage during intense and climatic moments.
It was a surprise to find the book is w ...more
I am familiar with the play, so I knew the basic plot line. I wish I had read the book first ... the play is SO powerful - and so theatrically charged with the larger-than-life stage puppets who play the horses - that the book seemed somewhat small to me. But, that's okay. It's really a small story - even though it's played against the world stage during intense and climatic moments.
It was a surprise to find the book is w ...more
Having seen the amazing theatre production in London, I just had to read the book!
Set during the First World War the story is told through the eyes of horse Joey and he’s relationship with a young boy called Albert.
Though written for a younger audience, Morpurgo doesn’t shy award from the horrors of this conflict.
This emotional heartwarming tale will move readers both young and old.
Set during the First World War the story is told through the eyes of horse Joey and he’s relationship with a young boy called Albert.
Though written for a younger audience, Morpurgo doesn’t shy award from the horrors of this conflict.
This emotional heartwarming tale will move readers both young and old.
This was my Top Book of 2012 out of over 100 books .
This was really fab book it is wonderful book about WWI that is not run of mill WWI book.
The only puzzling thing for me was how the horse could understand more than one language
This was really fab book it is wonderful book about WWI that is not run of mill WWI book.
The only puzzling thing for me was how the horse could understand more than one language
Morpurgo at his best - not to be missed! (And so much better than the Hollywood film).
A story of war told through the perspective of Joey - a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, brought up on a farm then sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front in 1914.
Fundamentally, this is what this book describes: the horrors and hardships of war. And because they are seen from the perspective of an animal, they are told in a simple straightforward way that will go straight to the heart of any reader.
'In an hour, maybe, or two', he ...more
Fundamentally, this is what this book describes: the horrors and hardships of war. And because they are seen from the perspective of an animal, they are told in a simple straightforward way that will go straight to the heart of any reader.
'In an hour, maybe, or two', he ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Roe Reading ...: War Horse | 1 | 1 | Sep 30, 2020 02:42PM | |
| 2019 Roe Reading ...: War Horse | 1 | 4 | Sep 16, 2020 12:03PM | |
| 2019 Roe Reading ...: War horse | 1 | 2 | Aug 17, 2020 08:50AM | |
| 2018 Roe Reading ...: War Horse by Michael Morpurgo | 1 | 1 | Jun 05, 2020 02:29PM | |
| Play Book Tag: [poll ballot] War Horse | Michael Morpurgo | 3.5 stars | 4 | 14 | Feb 11, 2020 04:15AM | |
| Play Book Tag: (Poll Ballot) War Horse by Michael Morpurgo 4 stars | 2 | 12 | Jan 24, 2020 11:53AM | |
| 2018 Roe Reading ...: War Horse - M. Morpurgo | 1 | 2 | Nov 22, 2019 07:08AM |
Readers also enjoyed
Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army,
...more
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