Helpful Score: 2
I read this children's book because it is going to be the basis for a broadway show. It is book about World War I, but told from the perspective of a horse. In many ways, the book reminds me of Black Beauty. I found the ending few paragraphs odd, unnecessary, and unfortunately not a good note on which to end the book. I felt that it distracted from what the story was. It'll be interesting to see how they can manage to recreate a horse and the wartime scenes on a broadway stage.
Helpful Score: 2
First Line: My earliest memories are a confusion of hilly fields and dark, damp stables and rats that scampered along the beams above my head.
Joey was born and raised on an English farm and trained by a young boy named Albert. When World War I begins, Albert's father needs money and sells Joey to the Army as a cavalry horse. Although too young to join up, Albert vows to be reunited with his horse.
Fortunately for Joey, his Army captain is an honorable man who loves horses and takes good care of him, teaching Joey things that will keep him alive in the days ahead. Joey also makes friends with another cavalry horse named Topthorn. One day in battle, both horses' riders are killed, and the horses are captured by the Germans to pull heavy munitions. Through it all, Joey never forgets Albert and wonders if they will ever be reunited.
This is a wonderful story-- on par with Black Beauty-- about the effects of war on both animals and people. Morpurgo proves adept at describing the horrors of war without being graphic. As Joey moves from the British side to the German, the people he must deal with show that, no matter the language or the uniform, we are all the same.
Knowing how military strategists on both sides tended to think of the men (and animals) under their command as so much cannon fodder, Joey's fate is not all that certain. Morpurgo makes the reader care about the young horse and what happens to it and the people with whom it comes in contact. I would recommend this book to both young and old.
Joey was born and raised on an English farm and trained by a young boy named Albert. When World War I begins, Albert's father needs money and sells Joey to the Army as a cavalry horse. Although too young to join up, Albert vows to be reunited with his horse.
Fortunately for Joey, his Army captain is an honorable man who loves horses and takes good care of him, teaching Joey things that will keep him alive in the days ahead. Joey also makes friends with another cavalry horse named Topthorn. One day in battle, both horses' riders are killed, and the horses are captured by the Germans to pull heavy munitions. Through it all, Joey never forgets Albert and wonders if they will ever be reunited.
This is a wonderful story-- on par with Black Beauty-- about the effects of war on both animals and people. Morpurgo proves adept at describing the horrors of war without being graphic. As Joey moves from the British side to the German, the people he must deal with show that, no matter the language or the uniform, we are all the same.
Knowing how military strategists on both sides tended to think of the men (and animals) under their command as so much cannon fodder, Joey's fate is not all that certain. Morpurgo makes the reader care about the young horse and what happens to it and the people with whom it comes in contact. I would recommend this book to both young and old.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a beautiful book and while written largely for a young adult audience, it's written with depth and sensitivity. And very well written at that. Told from the horse's vantage point, it's a wrenching perspective which will cause each of us to reconsider the broader impact of war. If it's not, it should be, a classic.
Helpful Score: 1
Michael Morpurgo is one of the best of todays Historical Novel writers. He has chosen to write for youth - and this is good because this genre gives lots of facts in an interesting story. Very relevant for today - you get a good picture of war and what it does to people as well as to animals. The horse tells the story. Also interesting because it gives the final demise of cavalry in WWI.
Helpful Score: 1
if you like war storys or horses this is the right book for u
This wonderful albeit tearjerker book was introduced to a much larger audience on account of, first, a remarkable play which made its initial appearance in 2007. Its most highly-acclaimed feature was its pioneering use of puppetry. The production subsequently won Best Play and five Tony awards after it transferred to Broadway in 2010. Then, in 2011, a big screen version was made by none other than Steven Spielberg. As a result, "War Horse" is now world-famous, deservedly so, as are the life-size puppets, which have been featured in many TV segments the world over as well. They still make the occasional public appearance (including with live horses, which is always an interesting sight!).
The young adult novel by Michael Morpurgo, first published in 1982, is essentially this generation's "Black Beauty," set during the first World War. Like "Black Beauty," it is also told from the first-person perspective of the horse. Teenage Albert's father brings home a gangly colt from the market one day - it seems that he purchased the horse out of spite to prevent another buyer from acquiring him. The half-thoroughbred young horse is quite a handful, but young Albert befriends the beautiful weanling and eventually trains him to become a plow horse.
War is looming on the horizon, however, and Albert's father eventually is forced to sell the horse to the army to pay the mortgage to keep from losing their farm. Albert begs the Colonel who purchases him to join up with the cavalry to stay with Joey, but he's too young, and will have to wait until he's older to enlist. Thus begins the adventures of Joey the War Horse, who travels from England to France, changing hands many times, along with his best friend, the noble and elegant steed Topthorn, both of whom endure many hardships through the years of devastating war.
After the death of the young soldier who initially purchased him, Joey and Topthorn are eventually captured by the Germans, but escape almost certain death when they are used to pull an ambulance cart. They are housed at a farm and cared for by Emilie and her grandfather whose entire family was killed. When the Germans move, the horses are allowed to remain with Emilie and her grandfather on their farm, but more Germans soon come and seize the horses who are needed to pull artillery.
The pair fortunately meet a kindly German soldier charged with caring for them, Crazy Friedrich, but their good fortune is short lived. Due to the immense stresses of the war and the poor conditions, Topthorn suddenly dies from heart failure, and Friedrich is killed immediately after by a shell: Joey loyally remains with both of them until he encounters a tank, and runs blindly in terror into "no-man's land," where his leg is badly injured by barbed wire.
After a British soldier wins him in a coin toss, Joey is taken to a veterinary hospital, where he meets none other than Albert, who has joined the veterinary corps specifically in the hopes that he may find his beloved friend. This is somewhat different than the movie version, where both Joey and Albert are wounded, with Albert temporarily blinded by gas, but they recognize each other against all odds and are reunited, recovering together.
In the book, which is more realistic, Albert cleans off the horse and recognizes the odd white cross on his forehead and the four white socks. Tragically, however, it seems that Joey has contracted tetanus from his injuries, but he is nursed back to health by Albert and the other dedicated men who serve at the veterinary hospital.
The book ends with the surviving veteran horses being sold at auction, many to a French butcher, despite their service and war wounds. Although Albert tries to buy his beloved friend, who has survived against all odds, with funds raised by his unit - everyone knows the story of the miraculous horse saved from no-man's land and nursed through a life-threatening bout of tetanus - it's not enough. The buyer, who essentially rescues Joey from sale to the butcher, the fate of many of Joey's compatriots, turns out to be none other than Emilie's grandfather, who has scoured the countryside in search of the two horses who were taken from them. He never found Topthorn, of course, but purchased Joey, as he had made a promise to Emilie that he would never stop searching for them.
It turns out that Emilie, too, has perished, at just fifteen years old, after the horses were taken from the farm. Albert explains who Joey is, and the old man gives him the horse, as they are both farmers, and Albert is younger and in a better position to care for Joey for the rest of his life. Albert buys him for a penny, and returns home to his farm in Devon, where marries, and presumably, lives out his days with Joey by his side.
As in the story of "Black Beauty," which was essentially a protest novel, written to shed light on the misery of London's many working horses in the late nineteenth century, "War Horse" brings much-needed attention to the millions of horses who toiled during the war, nearly half a million of whom perished during the conflict. Like Anna Sewell before him, Morpurgo wanted to tell the story of the suffering of the horses during the war, who never really received an acknowledgement. And, like "Black Beauty," it has resonated with audiences the world over. The play was translated into multiple languages, as was the book, with dozens of requests alone being made for translation rights when the film was released in late 2011.
The history of the novel dates to a chance meeting the author had with a WWI veteran, Wilfred Ellis, who drank in the local pub at Iddesleigh, the village where the author lived. This man had served in the Devon Yeomanry and had worked with horses during his service in the Great War. Meeting another WWI veteran in the village, who had served in the cavalry, and another villager, perhaps not coincidentally named Albert, who recalled the army's arrival in the village to purchase horses, solidified the author's resolve to tell the story of the horses' contributions to the war effort.
Apparently, a painting also served as something of an inspiration, although it's not the one which the author describes in the book. The one mentioned in the author's note at the outset of the book is fictive. However, after the stage production became so immensely popular, many visitors came to the village to view it. Morpurgo then had a painting commissioned from one of the artists who had also worked on the Spielberg film, which was then hung in the village hall of Iddesleigh. The fictional painting describes Joey as portrayed by the officer who first purchased him - a blood bay with a white cross on his forehead.
The real story is somewhat more poignant. Apparently the author's wife inherited a painting dated 1917, by F.W. Reed, which depicted horses charging into barbed wire fences during a British cavalry charge on German lines during the war, an episode which the author later included in the book. He reportedly stated that the painting was not one someone would likely want to display, as it was so "haunting."
Due to the book's popularity even as a novel, the author wrote a sequel in 1997 entitled "Farm Boy," which tells the story of Albert's great-grandson, who lives in London, but visits the farm frequently, where he learns of the account of Joey and Albert from Albert's descendants.
It appears that the boy had lied about his age, as many young men did, to join up with the army; otherwise, he would not have found his beloved Joey when he appeared at the veterinary hospital. The story tells the account of a bet Albert made that his two horses, Joey and Zoey, could plow more than wealthy landowner Medicott's tractor, a bet he won. It seems that the story continues to inspire, so it will likely remain popular, as has "Black Beauty," for some time to come.
The young adult novel by Michael Morpurgo, first published in 1982, is essentially this generation's "Black Beauty," set during the first World War. Like "Black Beauty," it is also told from the first-person perspective of the horse. Teenage Albert's father brings home a gangly colt from the market one day - it seems that he purchased the horse out of spite to prevent another buyer from acquiring him. The half-thoroughbred young horse is quite a handful, but young Albert befriends the beautiful weanling and eventually trains him to become a plow horse.
War is looming on the horizon, however, and Albert's father eventually is forced to sell the horse to the army to pay the mortgage to keep from losing their farm. Albert begs the Colonel who purchases him to join up with the cavalry to stay with Joey, but he's too young, and will have to wait until he's older to enlist. Thus begins the adventures of Joey the War Horse, who travels from England to France, changing hands many times, along with his best friend, the noble and elegant steed Topthorn, both of whom endure many hardships through the years of devastating war.
After the death of the young soldier who initially purchased him, Joey and Topthorn are eventually captured by the Germans, but escape almost certain death when they are used to pull an ambulance cart. They are housed at a farm and cared for by Emilie and her grandfather whose entire family was killed. When the Germans move, the horses are allowed to remain with Emilie and her grandfather on their farm, but more Germans soon come and seize the horses who are needed to pull artillery.
The pair fortunately meet a kindly German soldier charged with caring for them, Crazy Friedrich, but their good fortune is short lived. Due to the immense stresses of the war and the poor conditions, Topthorn suddenly dies from heart failure, and Friedrich is killed immediately after by a shell: Joey loyally remains with both of them until he encounters a tank, and runs blindly in terror into "no-man's land," where his leg is badly injured by barbed wire.
After a British soldier wins him in a coin toss, Joey is taken to a veterinary hospital, where he meets none other than Albert, who has joined the veterinary corps specifically in the hopes that he may find his beloved friend. This is somewhat different than the movie version, where both Joey and Albert are wounded, with Albert temporarily blinded by gas, but they recognize each other against all odds and are reunited, recovering together.
In the book, which is more realistic, Albert cleans off the horse and recognizes the odd white cross on his forehead and the four white socks. Tragically, however, it seems that Joey has contracted tetanus from his injuries, but he is nursed back to health by Albert and the other dedicated men who serve at the veterinary hospital.
The book ends with the surviving veteran horses being sold at auction, many to a French butcher, despite their service and war wounds. Although Albert tries to buy his beloved friend, who has survived against all odds, with funds raised by his unit - everyone knows the story of the miraculous horse saved from no-man's land and nursed through a life-threatening bout of tetanus - it's not enough. The buyer, who essentially rescues Joey from sale to the butcher, the fate of many of Joey's compatriots, turns out to be none other than Emilie's grandfather, who has scoured the countryside in search of the two horses who were taken from them. He never found Topthorn, of course, but purchased Joey, as he had made a promise to Emilie that he would never stop searching for them.
It turns out that Emilie, too, has perished, at just fifteen years old, after the horses were taken from the farm. Albert explains who Joey is, and the old man gives him the horse, as they are both farmers, and Albert is younger and in a better position to care for Joey for the rest of his life. Albert buys him for a penny, and returns home to his farm in Devon, where marries, and presumably, lives out his days with Joey by his side.
As in the story of "Black Beauty," which was essentially a protest novel, written to shed light on the misery of London's many working horses in the late nineteenth century, "War Horse" brings much-needed attention to the millions of horses who toiled during the war, nearly half a million of whom perished during the conflict. Like Anna Sewell before him, Morpurgo wanted to tell the story of the suffering of the horses during the war, who never really received an acknowledgement. And, like "Black Beauty," it has resonated with audiences the world over. The play was translated into multiple languages, as was the book, with dozens of requests alone being made for translation rights when the film was released in late 2011.
The history of the novel dates to a chance meeting the author had with a WWI veteran, Wilfred Ellis, who drank in the local pub at Iddesleigh, the village where the author lived. This man had served in the Devon Yeomanry and had worked with horses during his service in the Great War. Meeting another WWI veteran in the village, who had served in the cavalry, and another villager, perhaps not coincidentally named Albert, who recalled the army's arrival in the village to purchase horses, solidified the author's resolve to tell the story of the horses' contributions to the war effort.
Apparently, a painting also served as something of an inspiration, although it's not the one which the author describes in the book. The one mentioned in the author's note at the outset of the book is fictive. However, after the stage production became so immensely popular, many visitors came to the village to view it. Morpurgo then had a painting commissioned from one of the artists who had also worked on the Spielberg film, which was then hung in the village hall of Iddesleigh. The fictional painting describes Joey as portrayed by the officer who first purchased him - a blood bay with a white cross on his forehead.
The real story is somewhat more poignant. Apparently the author's wife inherited a painting dated 1917, by F.W. Reed, which depicted horses charging into barbed wire fences during a British cavalry charge on German lines during the war, an episode which the author later included in the book. He reportedly stated that the painting was not one someone would likely want to display, as it was so "haunting."
Due to the book's popularity even as a novel, the author wrote a sequel in 1997 entitled "Farm Boy," which tells the story of Albert's great-grandson, who lives in London, but visits the farm frequently, where he learns of the account of Joey and Albert from Albert's descendants.
It appears that the boy had lied about his age, as many young men did, to join up with the army; otherwise, he would not have found his beloved Joey when he appeared at the veterinary hospital. The story tells the account of a bet Albert made that his two horses, Joey and Zoey, could plow more than wealthy landowner Medicott's tractor, a bet he won. It seems that the story continues to inspire, so it will likely remain popular, as has "Black Beauty," for some time to come.
I have not yet read the book, but I just watched the movie! Based on other books by Morpurgo, I knew it was going to be sad, and, lo and behold, it was!
From the perspective of a beautiful horse named Joey, the story begins with Albert, a poor farmer's son who ends up with Joey because of his father's pride. Joey and Albert become best friends.
However, when the family falls on hard times, Albert's father sells Joey to the army to save their farm. Albert is heartbroken, but makes a promise that he'll find Joey... someday. Even if it means joining the war.
Joey continues his journey, working his way through the lives of military men, civilians, and underage soldiers.
Toward the end of his journey, Joey is released by a kind, German soldier in charge of the horses, and- frightened- charges through no-man's land. He get's tangled in the barbed wire, and in a touching scene, two soldiers from either side go out to save him.
My mom refused to see the film unless she knew it ended happily. Upon a little research, I discovered that our beloved protagonist (Joey)...
*SPOILER WARNING*
...survives.
As to his best friend, Albert... he keeps his promise and finds Joey, returning with him to their farm.
I LOVED this movie (and I plan to read the book), and must say that it was VERY sad, as most of the friends Joey makes along his journey die because of the war. However, it is a touching movie that relates to us that war effects all people- soldiers, civilians, and animals.
Michael Morpurgo's book Private Peaceful is also a WWI novel, and in my opinion, was a little more startling and sad because a MAIN character is- er- killed.
If you are not into sad books, Michael Morpurgo is. I suggest you look elsewhere if you are looking for happy stories (:
From the perspective of a beautiful horse named Joey, the story begins with Albert, a poor farmer's son who ends up with Joey because of his father's pride. Joey and Albert become best friends.
However, when the family falls on hard times, Albert's father sells Joey to the army to save their farm. Albert is heartbroken, but makes a promise that he'll find Joey... someday. Even if it means joining the war.
Joey continues his journey, working his way through the lives of military men, civilians, and underage soldiers.
Toward the end of his journey, Joey is released by a kind, German soldier in charge of the horses, and- frightened- charges through no-man's land. He get's tangled in the barbed wire, and in a touching scene, two soldiers from either side go out to save him.
My mom refused to see the film unless she knew it ended happily. Upon a little research, I discovered that our beloved protagonist (Joey)...
*SPOILER WARNING*
...survives.
As to his best friend, Albert... he keeps his promise and finds Joey, returning with him to their farm.
I LOVED this movie (and I plan to read the book), and must say that it was VERY sad, as most of the friends Joey makes along his journey die because of the war. However, it is a touching movie that relates to us that war effects all people- soldiers, civilians, and animals.
Michael Morpurgo's book Private Peaceful is also a WWI novel, and in my opinion, was a little more startling and sad because a MAIN character is- er- killed.
If you are not into sad books, Michael Morpurgo is. I suggest you look elsewhere if you are looking for happy stories (:
I have not yet read this book but I will now. I saw the Broadway show and it is amazing. The bar is raised and, while all shows have their place and their value, this in a league of its own. There hasn't been, nor will there be, another stage performance like this one.
I am curious that the other reviewer mentioned the book is told fully from the perspective of the horse because this is not the case for the show. It is a full perspective piece. Either the show or the book, I am confident no one should miss this. But fair warning, this is incredibly emotional.
I am curious that the other reviewer mentioned the book is told fully from the perspective of the horse because this is not the case for the show. It is a full perspective piece. Either the show or the book, I am confident no one should miss this. But fair warning, this is incredibly emotional.
I was surprised to find this was a book for children. I enjoy children's books, but was expecting this one to be for adults. It is more suitable for 4th or 5th grade readers. I wanted to read it before I saw the movie, but would not have ordered it if I had known this before.
In spite of this story essentially being about war, I found it to be an uplifting story about the powerful bond between man and animal. In times of intense stress (war) that symbiotic relationship is even more important to man and horse.
The star of the story is Joey, a thoroughbred/draft horse mix. He doesn't understand a great deal of what is going on about him, but he is intuitive about who will treat him well. There are people who speak differing languages and wear different uniforms, but Joey copes. Because, when one of those people strokes Joey in kindness, he knows things will be all right. Several have given a synopsis of this story, so I won't add to it. They've done an outstanding job.
This is a gut-wrenching book to read. It is aimed at 9 to 12-year-olds. I think this book is about relationships. As long as man and horse live in kind relationships with themselves and the other, things will be all right. It is only when we try to live without each other's emotional bond, that we get into trouble. Joey never loses his faith and so he survives.
This year, I've been trying to read more classics; WAR HORSE is what I'd call a 'new classic.' It will live on because it has a powerful message for any age. The reader grows in understanding about life because of the people Joey meets. This is such a wonderful tale for everyone.
The star of the story is Joey, a thoroughbred/draft horse mix. He doesn't understand a great deal of what is going on about him, but he is intuitive about who will treat him well. There are people who speak differing languages and wear different uniforms, but Joey copes. Because, when one of those people strokes Joey in kindness, he knows things will be all right. Several have given a synopsis of this story, so I won't add to it. They've done an outstanding job.
This is a gut-wrenching book to read. It is aimed at 9 to 12-year-olds. I think this book is about relationships. As long as man and horse live in kind relationships with themselves and the other, things will be all right. It is only when we try to live without each other's emotional bond, that we get into trouble. Joey never loses his faith and so he survives.
This year, I've been trying to read more classics; WAR HORSE is what I'd call a 'new classic.' It will live on because it has a powerful message for any age. The reader grows in understanding about life because of the people Joey meets. This is such a wonderful tale for everyone.
I loved the book which is sad, but gives the view of what these animals went through during the war. I havent seen the movie to compare it to, but this is a great read for anyone who is an animal lover or war hero.
I have not yet read the book, but I just watched the movie! Based on other books by Morpurgo, I knew it was going to be sad, and, lo and behold, it was!
From the perspective of a beautiful horse named Joey, the story begins with Albert, a poor farmer's son who ends up with Joey because of his father's pride. Joey and Albert become best friends.
However, when the family falls on hard times, Albert's father sells Joey to the army to save their farm. Albert is heartbroken, but makes a promise that he'll find Joey... someday. Even if it means joining the war.
Joey continues his journey, working his way through the lives of military men, civilians, and underage soldiers.
Toward the end of his journey, Joey is released by a kind, German soldier in charge of the horses, and- frightened- charges through no-man's land. He get's tangled in the barbed wire, and in a touching scene, two soldiers from either side go out to save him.
My mom refused to see the film unless she knew it ended happily. Upon a little research, I discovered that our beloved protagonist (Joey)...
*SPOILER WARNING*
...survives.
As to his best friend, Albert... he keeps his promise and finds Joey, returning with him to their farm.
I LOVED this movie (and I plan to read the book), and must say that it was VERY sad, as most of the friends Joey makes along his journey die because of the war. However, it is a touching movie that relates to us that war effects all people- soldiers, civilians, and animals.
Michael Morpurgo's book Private Peaceful is also a WWI novel, and in my opinion, was a little more startling and sad because a MAIN character is- er- killed.
If you are not into sad books, Michael Morpurgo is. I suggest you look elsewhere if you are looking for happy stories (:
From the perspective of a beautiful horse named Joey, the story begins with Albert, a poor farmer's son who ends up with Joey because of his father's pride. Joey and Albert become best friends.
However, when the family falls on hard times, Albert's father sells Joey to the army to save their farm. Albert is heartbroken, but makes a promise that he'll find Joey... someday. Even if it means joining the war.
Joey continues his journey, working his way through the lives of military men, civilians, and underage soldiers.
Toward the end of his journey, Joey is released by a kind, German soldier in charge of the horses, and- frightened- charges through no-man's land. He get's tangled in the barbed wire, and in a touching scene, two soldiers from either side go out to save him.
My mom refused to see the film unless she knew it ended happily. Upon a little research, I discovered that our beloved protagonist (Joey)...
*SPOILER WARNING*
...survives.
As to his best friend, Albert... he keeps his promise and finds Joey, returning with him to their farm.
I LOVED this movie (and I plan to read the book), and must say that it was VERY sad, as most of the friends Joey makes along his journey die because of the war. However, it is a touching movie that relates to us that war effects all people- soldiers, civilians, and animals.
Michael Morpurgo's book Private Peaceful is also a WWI novel, and in my opinion, was a little more startling and sad because a MAIN character is- er- killed.
If you are not into sad books, Michael Morpurgo is. I suggest you look elsewhere if you are looking for happy stories (:
After seeing the preview for the movie, I just had to read this book. It was very poignant to see war through an animal's eyes....many tissues required for this story!
This wonderful albeit tearjerker book was introduced to a much larger audience on account of, first, a remarkable play which made its initial appearance in 2007. Its most highly-acclaimed feature was its pioneering use of puppetry. The production subsequently won Best Play and five Tony awards after it transferred to Broadway in 2010. Then, in 2011, a big screen version was made by none other than Steven Spielberg. As a result, "War Horse" is now world-famous, deservedly so, as are the life-size puppets, which have been featured in many TV segments the world over as well. They still make the occasional public appearance (including with live horses, which is always an interesting sight!).
The young adult novel by Michael Morpurgo, first published in 1982, is essentially this generation's "Black Beauty," set during the first World War. Like "Black Beauty," it is also told from the first-person perspective of the horse. Teenage Albert's father brings home a gangly colt from the market one day - it seems that he purchased the horse out of spite to prevent another buyer from acquiring him. The half-thoroughbred young horse is quite a handful, but young Albert befriends the beautiful weanling and eventually trains him to become a plow horse.
War is looming on the horizon, however, and Albert's father eventually is forced to sell the horse to the army to pay the mortgage to keep from losing their farm. Albert begs the Colonel who purchases him to join up with the cavalry to stay with Joey, but he's too young, and will have to wait until he's older to enlist. Thus begins the adventures of Joey the War Horse, who travels from England to France, changing hands many times, along with his best friend, the noble and elegant steed Topthorn, both of whom endure many hardships through the years of devastating war.
After the death of the young soldier who initially purchased him, Joey and Topthorn are eventually captured by the Germans, but escape almost certain death when they are used to pull an ambulance cart. They are housed at a farm and cared for by Emilie and her grandfather whose entire family was killed. When the Germans move, the horses are allowed to remain with Emilie and her grandfather on their farm, but more Germans soon come and seize the horses who are needed to pull artillery. The pair fortunately meet a kindly German soldier charged with caring for them, Crazy Friedrich, but their good fortune is short lived. Due to the immense stresses of the war and the poor conditions, Topthorn suddenly dies from heart failure, and Friedrich is killed immediately after by a shell: Joey loyally remains with both of them until he encounters a tank, and runs blindly in terror into "no-man's land," where his leg is badly injured by barbed wire.
After a British soldier wins him in a coin toss, Joey is taken to a veterinary hospital, where he meets none other than Albert, who has joined the veterinary corps specifically in the hopes that he may find his beloved friend. This is somewhat different than the movie version, where both Joey and Albert are wounded, with Albert temporarily blinded by gas, but they recognize each other against all odds and are reunited, recovering together. In the book, which is more realistic, Albert cleans off the horse and recognizes the odd white cross on his forehead and the four white socks. Tragically, however, it seems that Joey has contracted tetanus from his injuries, but he is nursed back to health by Albert and the other dedicated men who serve at the veterinary hospital.
The book ends with the surviving veteran horses being sold at auction, many to a French butcher, despite their service and war wounds. Although Albert tries to buy his beloved friend, who has survived against all odds, with funds raised by his unit - everyone knows the story of the miraculous horse saved from no-man's land and nursed through a life-threatening bout of tetanus - it's not enough. The buyer, who essentially rescues Joey from sale to the butcher, the fate of many of Joey's compatriots, turns out to be none other than Emilie's grandfather, who has scoured the countryside in search of the two horses who were taken from them. He never found Topthorn, of course, but purchased Joey, as he had made a promise to Emilie that he would never stop searching for them. It turns out that Emilie, too, has perished, at just fifteen years old, after the horses were taken from the farm. Albert explains who Joey is, and the old man gives him the horse, as they are both farmers, and Albert is younger and in a better position to care for Joey for the rest of his life. Albert buys him for a penny, and returns home to his farm in Devon, where marries, and presumably, lives out his days with Joey by his side.
As in the story of "Black Beauty," which was essentially a protest novel, written to shed light on the misery of London's many working horses in the late nineteenth century, "War Horse" brings much-needed attention to the millions of horses who toiled during the war, nearly half a million of whom perished during the conflict. Like Anna Sewell before him, Morpurgo wanted to tell the story of the suffering of the horses during the war, who never really received an acknowledgement. And, like "Black Beauty," it has resonated with audiences the world over. The play was translated into multiple languages, as was the book, with dozens of requests alone being made for translation rights when the film was released in late 2011.
The history of the novel dates to a chance meeting the author had with a WWI veteran, Wilfred Ellis, who drank in the local pub at Iddesleigh, the village where the author lived. This man had served in the Devon Yeomanry and had worked with horses during his service in the Great War. Meeting another WWI veteran in the village, who had served in the cavalry, and another villager, perhaps not coincidentally named Albert, who recalled the army's arrival in the village to purchase horses, solidified the author's resolve to tell the story of the horses' contributions to the war effort.
Apparently, a painting also served as something of an inspiration, although it's not the one which the author describes in the book. The one mentioned in the author's note at the outset of the book is fictive. However, after the stage production became so immensely popular, many visitors came to the village to view it. Morpurgo then had a painting commissioned from one of the artists who had also worked on the Spielberg film, which was then hung in the village hall of Iddesleigh. The fictional painting describes Joey as portrayed by the officer who first purchased him - a blood bay with a white cross on his forehead. The real story is somewhat more poignant. Apparently the author's wife inherited a painting dated 1917, by F.W. Reed, which depicted horses charging into barbed wire fences during a British cavalry charge on German lines during the war, an episode which the author later included in the book. He reportedly stated that the painting was not one someone would likely want to display, as it was so "haunting."
Due to the book's popularity even as a novel, the author wrote a sequel in 1997 entitled "Farm Boy," which tells the story of Albert's great-grandson, who lives in London, but visits the farm frequently, where he learns of the account of Joey and Albert from Albert's descendants. It appears that the boy had lied about his age, as many young men did, to join up with the army; otherwise, he would not have found his beloved Joey when he appeared at the veterinary hospital. The story tells the account of a bet Albert made that his two horses, Joey and Zoey, could plow more than wealthy landowner Medicott's tractor, a bet he won. It seems that the story continues to inspire, so it will likely remain popular, as has "Black Beauty," for some time to come.
The young adult novel by Michael Morpurgo, first published in 1982, is essentially this generation's "Black Beauty," set during the first World War. Like "Black Beauty," it is also told from the first-person perspective of the horse. Teenage Albert's father brings home a gangly colt from the market one day - it seems that he purchased the horse out of spite to prevent another buyer from acquiring him. The half-thoroughbred young horse is quite a handful, but young Albert befriends the beautiful weanling and eventually trains him to become a plow horse.
War is looming on the horizon, however, and Albert's father eventually is forced to sell the horse to the army to pay the mortgage to keep from losing their farm. Albert begs the Colonel who purchases him to join up with the cavalry to stay with Joey, but he's too young, and will have to wait until he's older to enlist. Thus begins the adventures of Joey the War Horse, who travels from England to France, changing hands many times, along with his best friend, the noble and elegant steed Topthorn, both of whom endure many hardships through the years of devastating war.
After the death of the young soldier who initially purchased him, Joey and Topthorn are eventually captured by the Germans, but escape almost certain death when they are used to pull an ambulance cart. They are housed at a farm and cared for by Emilie and her grandfather whose entire family was killed. When the Germans move, the horses are allowed to remain with Emilie and her grandfather on their farm, but more Germans soon come and seize the horses who are needed to pull artillery. The pair fortunately meet a kindly German soldier charged with caring for them, Crazy Friedrich, but their good fortune is short lived. Due to the immense stresses of the war and the poor conditions, Topthorn suddenly dies from heart failure, and Friedrich is killed immediately after by a shell: Joey loyally remains with both of them until he encounters a tank, and runs blindly in terror into "no-man's land," where his leg is badly injured by barbed wire.
After a British soldier wins him in a coin toss, Joey is taken to a veterinary hospital, where he meets none other than Albert, who has joined the veterinary corps specifically in the hopes that he may find his beloved friend. This is somewhat different than the movie version, where both Joey and Albert are wounded, with Albert temporarily blinded by gas, but they recognize each other against all odds and are reunited, recovering together. In the book, which is more realistic, Albert cleans off the horse and recognizes the odd white cross on his forehead and the four white socks. Tragically, however, it seems that Joey has contracted tetanus from his injuries, but he is nursed back to health by Albert and the other dedicated men who serve at the veterinary hospital.
The book ends with the surviving veteran horses being sold at auction, many to a French butcher, despite their service and war wounds. Although Albert tries to buy his beloved friend, who has survived against all odds, with funds raised by his unit - everyone knows the story of the miraculous horse saved from no-man's land and nursed through a life-threatening bout of tetanus - it's not enough. The buyer, who essentially rescues Joey from sale to the butcher, the fate of many of Joey's compatriots, turns out to be none other than Emilie's grandfather, who has scoured the countryside in search of the two horses who were taken from them. He never found Topthorn, of course, but purchased Joey, as he had made a promise to Emilie that he would never stop searching for them. It turns out that Emilie, too, has perished, at just fifteen years old, after the horses were taken from the farm. Albert explains who Joey is, and the old man gives him the horse, as they are both farmers, and Albert is younger and in a better position to care for Joey for the rest of his life. Albert buys him for a penny, and returns home to his farm in Devon, where marries, and presumably, lives out his days with Joey by his side.
As in the story of "Black Beauty," which was essentially a protest novel, written to shed light on the misery of London's many working horses in the late nineteenth century, "War Horse" brings much-needed attention to the millions of horses who toiled during the war, nearly half a million of whom perished during the conflict. Like Anna Sewell before him, Morpurgo wanted to tell the story of the suffering of the horses during the war, who never really received an acknowledgement. And, like "Black Beauty," it has resonated with audiences the world over. The play was translated into multiple languages, as was the book, with dozens of requests alone being made for translation rights when the film was released in late 2011.
The history of the novel dates to a chance meeting the author had with a WWI veteran, Wilfred Ellis, who drank in the local pub at Iddesleigh, the village where the author lived. This man had served in the Devon Yeomanry and had worked with horses during his service in the Great War. Meeting another WWI veteran in the village, who had served in the cavalry, and another villager, perhaps not coincidentally named Albert, who recalled the army's arrival in the village to purchase horses, solidified the author's resolve to tell the story of the horses' contributions to the war effort.
Apparently, a painting also served as something of an inspiration, although it's not the one which the author describes in the book. The one mentioned in the author's note at the outset of the book is fictive. However, after the stage production became so immensely popular, many visitors came to the village to view it. Morpurgo then had a painting commissioned from one of the artists who had also worked on the Spielberg film, which was then hung in the village hall of Iddesleigh. The fictional painting describes Joey as portrayed by the officer who first purchased him - a blood bay with a white cross on his forehead. The real story is somewhat more poignant. Apparently the author's wife inherited a painting dated 1917, by F.W. Reed, which depicted horses charging into barbed wire fences during a British cavalry charge on German lines during the war, an episode which the author later included in the book. He reportedly stated that the painting was not one someone would likely want to display, as it was so "haunting."
Due to the book's popularity even as a novel, the author wrote a sequel in 1997 entitled "Farm Boy," which tells the story of Albert's great-grandson, who lives in London, but visits the farm frequently, where he learns of the account of Joey and Albert from Albert's descendants. It appears that the boy had lied about his age, as many young men did, to join up with the army; otherwise, he would not have found his beloved Joey when he appeared at the veterinary hospital. The story tells the account of a bet Albert made that his two horses, Joey and Zoey, could plow more than wealthy landowner Medicott's tractor, a bet he won. It seems that the story continues to inspire, so it will likely remain popular, as has "Black Beauty," for some time to come.
