War Horse

By: Michael Morpurgo

Narrated by: Dan Stevens

Length: 3 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Beautifully performed by Dan Stevens, 'War Horse' has taken the world by storm. First published back in 1982, the book was adapted to the stage and was performed at the National Theatre back in 2007. It's well-deserved success means that it has now gone into it's third year at the New London Theatre and will be later debuting on Broadway in New York City.

At the outbreak of World War I, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to the trenches to find him and bring him home.

©2010 HarperCollins Publishers (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Marvelous Book

A lovely sentimental story well written and well narrated. An anti-war story nicely done and appropriate for older children (10+). It would be a good story for the classroom for discussion.

A good story as well about relationships between animals and people.

Stevens brings adult sensibility to child's tale

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

Unique, moving point-of-view

Who was your favorite character and why?

It would require a heart of stone to answer other than Joey, the braver-than-brave horse was my favorite.

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

I have read the book but did not have nearly the repertoire of amazing voices in my head that were at the complete command of Dan Stevens to entertain and entrance me. His voice and characterizations added so much depth to the experience.

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

War through the eyes of the innocent

Lovely

I could feel myself inside the story. Incredible narration of Dan Steven's from this lovely book.

I wish it were longer, wonderfully performed!!!

This story always makes me cry, happy and sad tears. The narration is great, he truly makes a performance of it. I truly recommend this title.

Worth your time!

Beautiful story with a beautiful narration from Dan Stevens! I will definitely come back and listen again to this one.

Truly engaging, emotionally and intellectually

Would you listen to War Horse again? Why?

No, because there are so many other books on my list to "read".

What other book might you compare War Horse to and why?

Charlotte's web by E.B. White, as it brings you inside the mind and soul of a non-human entity (spider versus horse), and both stir the emotion while at the same time providing much" food for thought".

Which character – as performed by Dan Stevens – was your favorite?

Can't say. All characters extremely well portrayed.

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

Oh no, I seldom have the time to listen to an entire book in one sitting; but this is a short book and would lend itself to listening in one sitting compared to many others.

Any additional comments?

I quite enjoyed this book. Very engaging emotionally and intellectually.

Great for the whole family

My family and I listened to this during a seven hour road trip. The excellent narration by Dan Stevens brought the story to life and kept us all engaged. Very well done. My son is 15, daughter is 10. The story was abridged, which in this case was perfect.

Well done!

A story told from a non-human perspective is unusual . . . but, to have one set during WWI is truly remarkable. The story is captivating, but (narrator) Dan Stevens does an incredible job of story telling.

Very Good

Any additional comments?

The book was much better than the film. Too much was lost from the nature of the horses in the film.

Dan Stevens is a fantastic narrator.

My 14-year old son and I listened to this audiobook on a road trip. We both loved it. We know a bit of World War I history, and that was what hooked us into the story. Neither of us are horse lovers per se, and I was wondering what I'd think of hearing a story told from a horse's point of view. But it really works! Joey the horse does duty as a farm horse, a cavalry horse, and a cart horse during the course of the whole book. Dan Stevens makes it all come alive with his various voices and accents. He keeps the dialogue lively and fun. He brings real warmth and depth to the human and horse characters. I learned a few more things about life during World War I too. I recommend it!