War Horse Reviews – Is It Worth The Purchase?
WAR HORSE
Introduction:
The Book:
War Horse, a fiction story, was written by Michael Morpurgo and was published in 1982. Michael Morpurgo was
inspired to write this novel right after he saw a boy who was talking and talking to a horse for several hours while the horse listened attentively to the boy with its ears going out from the stable towards the boy’s face. He was amazed and moved by this scene that he decided to write a book from the horse’s point of view. It was many, many years ago when this thing happened and Morpurgo got inspired by what he saw that he started writing a book, with him narrating as a horse. It took him six months to finish writing the book. His book ended up as a runner up in the Whitbread Book Award in 1982.
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The Broadway Plays & the Movie (Adaptations):
The book was so popular that it was adapted into many stage plays since year 2007 in London. It garnered numerous awards and nominations for the Broadway productions category. Also a radio adaptation broadcast on BBC Radio last 2008. Then in May of 2010, Steven Spielberg had announced that he is going to make a film adaptation of the book. The title is also a War Horse which will be officially released on the 28th of December 2011. This film will also be officially shown in UK cinemas on the 13th of January 2012.
The Story:
The story is about the life of a beautiful Cleveland bay horse named Joey, and his owner a 15 year old young man. It was the time of World War 1 in Devon, when the two got separated because his horse was sold by his father, a farmer, to German and British armies’ for use in the war. Albert does not want the idea, insisted to join the army, so that he will not be separated from the horse, but he was still so young then to join the army.
Joey, the horse, was then shoved into the war, with an officer riding him, Joey charged toward the enemy line. Millions of horses died in the war, along with millions of soldiers. Joey had witnessed all the deaths, hatred and the sad fate that forced him to serve both sides of the battling nations. But Albert, his real owner, cannot forget his horse, went out on a mission to bring him back toDevon, his hometown.
Joey, the horse, in the midst of war, still have in his mind his real master, Albert, and was wondering if he could see him again.
And so the drama evolves with Joey, who was forcibly used in the war, thinking of when he can get back to his master Albert. And it’s a mutual feeling, the feeling of man’s love for animals, and animal’s love of his owner.
Pros & Cons:
My Review:
This is a book for all ages, an epic adventure, and a tale of devotion, expectancy, longing, and perseverance. A multi awarded book that depicts the love of peace and the negligence of war.
After reading the story of this book, I thought it was just like an ordinary story of love and drama between a boy and his horse. But the author was able to make a very powerful portrayal of the turnout of the events. The book actually suggests peace, love and harmony amongst humans and animals. The war scenarios in the book, as viewed from a horse’s perspective, made a huge impact on the story that would make readers realize the harshness and non-sense of war.
What is amazingly good about the story of this book is that it was able to tell the story or this tale from the view of the horse, Joey, as he sees the bloody and deadly fierce of the war, the danger of the war both to humans and the animals, especially the horses which were used in wars those days.
Another strength of this book, by the way the story was told, is that it was able to make its readers’ understand how a certain creature or animal, of which we all know that they could not understand what a war is, could narrate the story with heart and passion without choosing any sides between the battling countries, France and Germany, and view the war from its own view, the way humans view it, as a useless and deadly war. But the story was able to portray that it never took any sides of the battling countries, just like how an animal would think. That was an amazing feat and I am giving two thumbs up for the author of this book.
Lastly, what I think about the horse, Joey, is that it was able to spread its message to humanity which is peace to all mankind, and the animal world. Love for peace and devotion, above all this, the horse was able to speak out its real message and that is to stop the humans’ abusive and cruelty treatment to animals, like him. That is another two thumbs up, this time it is for Joey, the War Horse, himself.
For the con(s) side of the book or the story itself, I may say that it is almost too perfect and a flawless book that finding any negative side on the story seems impossible. The story was perfectly told by the “horse”. This is really one of the greatest books I have ever read that really deserves a lot of recognitions and adaptations.
Final Thoughts / Comments:
I was working before as a front desk officer for a certain lodge in Malaysia, a lodge for horseback riding with accommodations for the guests. During the time I was working there, I never really understood why our guests have had so much love and compassion for the horses, until I read the story. Right after I read it, I felt like I wanted to have my own horse for me to love it, hug it and take care of it.
Also, just to add this, I got a chance to view the movie trailer of the War Horse and right after I viewed the trailer of the upcoming movie adaptation, I know that it is going to make a lot of people teary eyed. It is for sure going to be another blockbuster from one of my favorite filmmakers and directors inHollywood.