Private Peaceful By Michael Morpurgo

Private Peaceful is the second book by Michael Morpurgo that I have read and I love it just like the first book Waiting for Anya. Both books are just over 180 pages in length and are easy to read. Both have left a lump in my throat.

The story is told from the perspective of Thomas “Tommo” Peaceful and begins while the Peaceful brothers Charlie and Tommo are walking to school. It is Tommo’s first ever day at school, and he is extremely scared, mostly because of Charlie’s teacher, Mr Munnings and his cane. Tommo meets a girl called Molly, who helps Tommo tie his laces. Tommo then falls in love with Molly.

Charlie meets Molly, and he too falls in love with her. The trio of Tommo, Charlie and Molly grow up together with Charlie very protective of his younger brother. Charlie and Molly become closer as they are both older than Tommo, causing Tommo to feel left out.

Then Molly becomes pregnant with Charlie’s baby. She is thrown out of her parents’ house and moves in with the Peacefuls. Charlie marries Molly, upseting Tommo.

The rest of the story describes the brothers’ experiences of the war: their ordeals under Sergeant  “Horrible” Hanley, near-misses during the battle on the front line, and Charlie’s continued protection of Tommo.

During a charge of the German lines, Charlie, disobeying the direct order of Sergeant to evacuate, stays put in the trenches with Tommo who has been injured. They wait till it is dark before exvacuating. Charlie is accused of cowardice and is court-martialled and sentenced to death.

The book’s chapters count down to dawn, the time set for Charlie’s execution. On the night before his brother’s execution, Tommo reveals to Charlie his guilt for their father’s death but Charlie reassures him that their father’s death was not his fault. Charlie tells Tommo to take care of their mother, Molly and his new-born son. Charlie is shot dead by a firing squad but he dies happily.