War Horse

By: Michael Morpurgo

Narrated by: John Keating

Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1914, a beautiful foal with a distinctive cross on his nose is sold to the Army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western front. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

©1987 Michael Morpurgo (P)2010 Scholastic Audio

Black Beauty in a different century

Any additional comments?

Told from a horse's perspective, this story was engaging from the beginning. Although the scenarios were quite different, however, it was all too similar to the story of Anna Sewell's Black Beauty. A good listen due to the prose and narrator, but not a masterpiece by any means.

Told in First Horse

What made the experience of listening to War Horse the most enjoyable?

Wanted to hear the book, prior to seeing the film. Delightful, as told by the horse, himself.

Easy to follow the adventure, good for all ages, I am 80 years old.

Wonderful story of a horse used during WWI

Great story told by the horse of his adventures during WWI first with the British army then the German army and again by the British. Heartwarming story of the love between a young boy and the horse he grew up with.

Worth the cost, but has flaws.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I wasn't sorry to have spent the time. It is a good basic story by my standards. I would have appreciated being warned that it is meant for a teenager. A horse telling his story? (I had a few similar misgivings about Racing in the Rain as well, but somehow it was bettter.) I also felt that the conversation between the people were less than convincing, a flaw in the writing, not the performance). Is the performer really English? Until I listened carefully, I thought we were in Ireland, but maybe that was my problem.

Wonderful WWI story!

This is a wonderful audiobook! The story is engaging, yes. But the real treat is the narrator’s accents - he makes the characters come alive!

Not my fav

Haven't seen the movie. Wanted to read book first. Really more of a childs book I guess. Hope movie is better. Just not what I expected.

Wonderful book War Horse

If you could sum up War Horse in three words, what would they be?

Awsome, thrilling, exciting

Which scene was your favorite?

The battles

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Film from the trilling book.

Any additional comments?

I had my class read the book they found it exciting.

good read

Would you consider the audio edition of War Horse to be better than the print version?

Liked the story even though it is as sad in places as BLACK BEAUTY. the lives of many horses is sad. The author rally knows horses and how they become attached to other horses and people. Really enjoyed the historical parts of it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of War Horse?

When

Have you listened to any of John Keating???s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes

Any additional comments?

The book is listed a a book for young adults. Most of the people I know that have read it are considered elderly. They also got it for their grandchildren.

Enjoyable easy listen

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed the mood of the story. A very pleasent listen while driving.

Would you recommend War Horse to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes,I think most of my horse friends would enjoy the story, young and old.

How could the performance have been better?

The reader was too gentle for the story, maybe it was just his accent I didn't care for. He was OK not great.

An excellent adolescent novel.

What did you love best about War Horse?

The descriptions that the author used.

What does John Keating bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love his accent, I believe it was needed to have a better feeling of the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No...although I was moved by the book, it was not to tears.