Age: Older teenage/adult
Published: 31 May 2012
ISBN: 9780007387267
Format: Hardback
The life of Michael Morpurgo, as a biography, and autobiographical stories.
Michael Morpurgo is a Pied Piper. Through books such as ‘Private Peaceful’, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ and ‘The Wreck of the Zanzibar’ he has enchanted a whole generation of children, weaving stories for them in a way that is neither contrived nor condescending. His is a rare gift.
But it is not only children he holds in thrall. In 2007, Michael’s novel ‘War Horse’ was adapted for the stage by the National Theatre. Five years on, it continues to play to packed audiences of all ages in the West End and New York, and later this year it will tour America, as well as opening in Toronto and Australia. Steven Spielberg, meantime, has made it into a film. The story of a Devon horse requisitioned by the army and sent to the Western Front has made Michael Morpurgo a household name.
Michael’s own story is as strange and surprising as any he has written, and is shot through with the same thread of sadness found in almost all his work. How did this unbookish boy who dreamed of becoming an army officer become a bestselling author instead? What personal price has he paid for success? And why, amidst his triumphs, is he now haunted by regret?
In a unique collaboration, Maggie Fergusson explores Michael Morpurgo’s life through seven biographical chapters, to which he responds with seven stories. Between them they paint a picture of light and shade: the light very bright, the shade complex and often painful.
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Buy Michael Morpurgo: War Child to War Horse on Amazon.co.uk
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Michael Morpurgo and Maggie Fergusson introduce their new book
The life of Michael Morpurgo, as a biography, and autobiographical stories.
Michael Morpurgo is a national treasure. With books such as ‘Private Peaceful’, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ and ‘The Wreck of the Zanzibar’ he has enchanted a whole generation of children, weaving stories for them in a way that is neither contrived nor condescending. His is a rare gift.
In 2007, Michael’s novel ‘War Horse’ was adapted for the stage by the National Theatre. Five years on, it continues to play to packed audiences of all ages and has been turned into a blockbuster film by Steven Spielberg, propelling Morpurgo to household-name status.
Michael’s own story is as strange and surprising as any he has written, and is shot through with the same thread of sadness found in almost all his work. How did this supremely unbookish boy who dreamed of becoming an army officer become a bestselling author and Children’s Laureate instead? What personal price has he paid for success? And why, amidst his triumphs, is he now haunted by regret?
In a unique collaboration, Maggie Fergusson explores Michael Morpurgo’s life through seven biographical chapters, to which he responds with seven stories. The portrait that emerges is one of light and shade: the light very bright, the shade complex and often painful.
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Reviews
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Number one fan! says:
Michael Murpurgo is a Pied Piper. I am ‘totally addicted’ to his books. I have read at least 50 of his books. I would love nothing more than to own his full collection (I have never had a collection of anything in my life, I am over 50 years old now!). I would love to meet Michael Murpurgo. I want to go to the Scilly Isles and cornwall and get the feeling of his books written about these areas. I am going to see War Horse in London at the beginning of July, it will be a dream come true! I don’t think I could say I have a favourite book. The war books are fabulous. Such an interesting way to learn about history. My Friend Walter would make you want to own your own ghost! All soooooo good! Any child I know who reads these books loves them too.
nadiaurquhartbook says:
its cool no it is amaziing it brings tearsz to my eyes and it leavees a scrape in my heart that will never leave u but it is a good boobk all his books are so read them
Cassie says:
I can’t wait to read this book. I was introduced to Michael Morpurgo through his partly biographical Singing for Mrs Pettigrew which takes a similar approach ( I imagine). Since then I have read many of the war stories and given copies of Private Peaceful and War Horse to my young nephews. What a powerful way to learn history. I finished reading Private Peaceful on the train going to work one morning and felt sad all day. Along with Robert Westall, MM makes history personal and alive. I hope his books are on the school syllabus. By the way I am in my 50’s too!
ElmoRose55 says:
At my school we have been doing a Michael Morpurgo Week. During this we read some of Kensukes Kingdom. I love this book and I think that he has written it so well.
We have done a amazing display in our school about Michael Morpurgo and it would be so good if Michael Morpurgo came to see it!
We also read Dear Olly. That is now one of my faviroute books. Any one who reads them - I hope you love them like me!!!!!
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