War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo, Bob Hoskins (Read by), Brenda Blethyn (Read by), Full Cast (Read by), Timothy Spall (Read by)

Overview

This production - adapted by John Tams and Sally Ward at the behest of the author - is a moving tale of a boy's extraordinary bond with his horse during World War One. The story of a farm horse sold from Devon into the mire, wire and machine guns of the Great War of 1914-1918 brings together a stellar cast, including Timothy Spall, Brenda Blethyn and Bob Hoskins, with music and songs from some of the UK's finest folk musicians. This drama was directed by John Tams, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for his work on the phenomenally successful War Horse stage epic at the National Theatre ('the theatrical event of the decade' - Times) and which also inspired the Steven Spielberg film. 'Sublime' - Michael Morpurgo, on hearing this completed drama.

1 CD. 59 mins.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781445827018
Publisher:	B B C Worldwide Americas
Publication date:	10/03/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged
Pages:	1
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 4.90(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Michael Morpurgo has written more than 120 books, many of them award-winning. His most well-known work, War Horse, was adapted into a multi-Oscar nominated film by Steven Spielberg, and a widely-acclaimed play at the National Theatre. In 2003 Michael became the third Children's Laureate, a position he helped create with the poet Ted Hughes. With his wife, Clare, he set up the charity Farms for City Children, and for their pioneering work they were both awarded the MBE in 1999.

Editorial Reviews

Although a first-person animal narrator asks a lot of the reader, Joey's voice—unsentimental and brave under fire—amplifies the emotional impact of the story…The historical details in this short book powerfully ground it in its moment, but a timeless question drives the story: Will the two friends, Joey and Albert, ever see each other again?
—The New York Times

Regina Marler

"Superb." -- New York Times Book Review "... the novel [has an] antiwar message, and the terse details speak eloquently about peace." -- Booklist

From the Publisher

Gr 5–8—Since he was a young colt, Joey has been loved and cared for by Alber, a young English farm boy. At the beginning of Wold War I, Albert's father sells Joey to a captain in the cavalry. The boy is devastated and promises Joey that someday he will find him. Joey experiences army life and the disastrous consequences of a cavalry charge into machine guns. He is captured as a prisoner of war and becomes a hospital cart transport horse for the German army. The he's used by the German soldiers to pull gun carts through the muddy trenches. Joey bolts after his friend Topflight dies. He ends up in no-man's land between the trenches. By a coin toss, he becomes again the property of the English. Joey is taken to a veterinary hospital where he is reunited with Albert. As the soldiers from both sides of the conflict share their thoughts and feelings with Joey, listeners get unique and perceptive views of World War I. John Keating's' different accents are pitch perfect as he draws listeners into the story (Scholastic, 1982) by Michael Morpurgo. An excellent choice for fans of historical fiction.—Samantha Larsen Hastings, Riverton Library, UT

School Library Journal

John Keating establishes a convincing narrator with his portrayal of Joey, an English farm horse. Keating delivers this story’s differing points of view, making it easy to distinguish between the equine observer and the humans in his world. All too soon, Joey leaves his loving farm boy, Albert, to soldier through the horrors of WWI. Like the classic horse hero Black Beauty, Joey has a string of human owners. Keating characterizes each with credible emotions, accents, and age qualities. Through his portrayals, listeners understand the uniqueness of Joey’s masters, whether Welsh or German. Hearing their distinctly different stories and voices enables listeners to see the humans’ commonality. Each one hates war and bears love and admiration for the courage of this noble steed. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2010 - AudioFile