Private Peaceful

Although this book is quite short (less than 200 pages), it has a very creative plot. Again, it is a book belonging in the genre of historical fiction (if that exists).

It is all about the tangled love lives of 3 people. Firstly, there is Charlie Peaceful, Molly, and the main character, a young teenager called Thomas Peaceful (sometimes referred as Tommo). Now, Thomas is Charlie's younger brother and Molly is the girl Thomas has been dreaming about almost all his life- in other words, he loves her and loved her ever since he first met her at school. The 3 have grown up together and have had many adventures. But here is the real adventure- the dangerous adventure. Charlie and Thomas joins up the army to fight in Belgium. However and unfortunately to Tommo, it was revealed that Charlie and Molly have been meeting eachother secretly and Molly was bearing Charlie's child inside her. Of course, young Thomas was heartbroken - I mean, the person he loved for soo long turns out to love his older brother! They quickly got married and Charlie and Thomas set off to Belgium. For all this time and during the war, Thomas has been recording all his feelings and experiences in a novel- this book. During the war, Charlie dies bravely for his country. He died while singing his favourite childhood song "oranges and Lemons". The war ends and Thomas declares Charlie's death to his family, including Molly and he promises to look after his nephew- Little Tommo.

Thomas experiences quite alot. The fact that the girl he always admired instead loves his brother and the fact that Charlie dies. It may be only 2 things for us, but these experieces have broken young Tommo's heart. At these points, I do feel terribly sorry for Thomas. Those are things I wouldn't wish to experience but the world isn't always fair. Everyone has their dark days. Anyway, I think that Thomas must have detested his brother for a while for "taking his girl" but still promises to take care for little Tommo. I am sure that Charlie must have felt very touched by Thomas' reactions. This is a very great book.