Доглядач маяка

by Michael Morpurgo, Майкл Морпурго, Олександр Стукало (Translator)

Існують книги, історії у яких не прочитуєш, а проживаєш. Саме до них належить Доглядач маяка від легендарно Майкла Морпурґо. Сюжет книги розповідає про Бенджаміна, який все своє довге життя працював над тим, щоб світло в маяку на острові сяяло завжди. Жодного разу за всі роки роботи доглядачем маяка він не дозволяв світлу згаснути. Але іноді навіть найяскравіше світло на маяку не може врятувати корабель, який розбивається під час шторму. Та катастрофа несе не лише проблеми, а стає приводом для знайомства доглядача маяка з маленьким хлопчиком, життя якого буде наповнене неймовірними поворотами, цікавими подіями у навчанні, художнім натхненням і пошуками себе. Доглядач маяка історія про дружбу, яка дарує надію, про втрачених птахів тупиків і самотнього художника. Це історія всього життя і того, як одна подія може назавжди змінити його.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Fiction, Animals, War

112 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2020

About the author

Sir Michael Andrew Morpurgo, OBE, FRSL is the author of many books for children, five of which have been made into films. He also writes his own screenplays and libretti for opera. Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, in 1943, he was evacuated to Cumberland during the last years of the Second World War, then returned to London, moving later to Essex. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the army, he took up teaching and started to write. He left teaching after ten years in order to set up 'Farms for City Children' with his wife. They have three farms in Devon, Wales and Gloucestershire, open to inner city school children who come to stay and work with the animals. In 1999 this work was publicly recognised when he and his wife were invested a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to youth. In 2003, he was advanced to an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL) in 2004. He was knighted in the 2018 for his services to literature and charity. He is also a father and grandfather, so children have always played a large part in his life. Every year he and his family spend time in the Scilly Isles, the setting for three of his books.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about an island which becomes a sanctuary for puffins is published by Puffin Canada -- a division of Penguin Random House. The narrative by Michael Morpurgo is accompanied by gorgeous watercolor illustrations from Benji Davies. Our story begins with a shipwreck and the heroic rescue of the passengers by Benjamin Postlethwaite, keeper of the lighthouse on Puffin Island. Ben does some painting on the side and gives one of his works to the little boy (our narrator) to remember him by. Years later, the boy will return and so will an injured puffin. Together, our storyteller and Ben nurse the Puffin back to health. They let it go free, but will it return? Perhaps with friends? Even the intrusion of World War II can't keep hope away from Puffin Island.

[Bas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Met heel veel plezier aan mijn dochters voorgelezen. Mooi verhaal dat zich afspeelt op de Scillies en waar een beetje geschiedenis op de achtergrond in voorkomt (Tweede Wereldoorlog). Geschikt om voor te lezen van 6 jaar (die begreep niet alles, maar de mooie illustraties van Benji Davies zorgden toch voor aandacht) tot 11 / 12 jaar (die hadden het zelf kunnen lezen, maar vonden het heel gezellig om voorgelezen te worden).

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though technically a children's story, this whimsical tale will surely delight readers of all ages. A moody sea, a gruff lighthousekeeper, an injured bird, and a boy—this book has all the makings of an adventure story, all slightly softened by the sweet, light tone. Even darker elements such as WWII, though treated seriously, are not allowed to overwhelm what is at its heart an uplifting, hopeful story about life, rescue, and hope. The characters are vivid, described with natural and readable prose. The story's imagery is astounding, and the illustrations add much. This book will fill your mind with visions of light on the water, of wind and salt and the cry of birds. A fictional tale that doubles as an homage to the man behind Puffin Books, who provided a beacon (if you will) in the world of youth literature. This tome is metaphor and allegory and bedtime story all rolled into one beautiful seaside treasure. Thoroughly charming.

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story by Michael Morpurgo about a lighthouse operator on the Isle of Scilly, Benjamin Postlethwaite, who rescues 30 souls from a floundering schooner, making several trips with his rowboat. He refuses an award, just saying it needed to be done. But, his heroism and a sketch makes a big impact on a young boy he rescued, Allen Williams. Years later, even though he has never had a reply to his letters, Allen goes back to the lighthouse to find Benjamin and ends up staying to nurse an injured puffin back to health. Once again, Allen has to leave (to join the war effort in the Navy), but is drawn back to the island to see that their efforts were fruitful. A nice chapter book to read with kids, who will enjoy the lovely watercolor illustrations by Benji Davies.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Morpurgo does it again... taking a simple event and weaving it into a beautiful, captivating tale.

When Benjamin Postlethwaite rescues 30 souls from a floundering schooner close to his lighthouse on the Isles of Scilly, little does he know the impact he would have on one 5 year old boy, Allen Williams. When they leave his care, he Benjamin gives Allen one of his paintings, which Allen treasures for years.

When Allen leaves school he goes back to the lighthouse to find Benjamin and ends up staying as they try and rescue an injured puffin. Allen is then called up to war and has to leave again, but when he returns things are definitely not as they were when he left...

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wauw, wat een prachtig boek! Daar begin ik mee. Het is een mooi verhaal, het levensverhaal van Allen en zijn familie. Maar ook het verhaal van de vuurtorenwachter op Papegaaiduikerseiland. De illustraties zijn prachtig en kleurrijk en geven het verhaal echt goed weer.

Allen wordt, samen met alle andere opvarenden, gered door de vuurtorenwachter van het eiland. Al die jaren erna, bewaart Allen het schilderijtje dat hij kreeg van de vuurtorenwachter. Allen groeit op tot een volwassen jongen en maakt veel mee in zijn leven. Maar al die tijd is één van zijn grootste dromen, teruggaan naar Papegaaiduikerseiland. De band die Allen met zijn moeder heeft is mooi beschreven en ook de band met de vuurtorenwachter is prachtig. En de papegaaiduikers komen natuurlijk ook in het verhaal aan bod!

Het is gewoon een fijn verhaal om te lezen, niks speciaals in dat opzicht. Maar alles klopt gewoon, de opbouw, de verhaallijn, de illustraties en het einde. Zeker de moeite waard om te lezen!

[Jessica Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often find myself picking up books like as this as a breather between my other reads. But rarely do I find myself so captived as I was by this one!

The storyline was made alive by the beautiful illustrations!! And I feel like I will have to read it again just to take it all in.

If you have the chance to read this story, you certainly won't regret it!

[stefiereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this story although I must confess to there being a recent glut of 'lighthouse-related' texts out these past few years. I do like Morpurgo's writing. It's easy without seeming like he's talking down to his readers whilst being deep enough to touch on strong issues for a range of reading ages.

Sadly, I thought the story wasn't as strong as some of his others such as Why the Whales Came or Private Peaceful. There was little purpose or meaning behind the main character's actions or choices in life and it felt as if the whole story needed good editing.

What does absolutely save it from being a poor addition to Morpurgo's canon is Benji Davies' stunning illustrations. This is a beautifully presented book - too good really for Morpurgo's narrative - and Davies' rich, full-colour illustrations more than carry what I found to be a weak story.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most heartwarming and delicately written story, The Puffin Keeper is a beautiful tale that all ages can enjoy and hold in their hearts. Despite the simple story and straight to the point writing style, the emotive illustrations and imagery takes it to the next level. I can see this becoming a firm favourite in many households and like many of this authors other works, is very much timeless.

[Camille Callant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prachtige illustraties

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrator, Alan, is rescued, along with his mother, and the other passengers on a boat that was sinking. The keeper of the light house saves all of them, but says he only did it because it was the right thing to do, and so doesn't want no stinking medal.

Alan writes to him, but never hears back, and continues with his life, until, when he is fully grown, he goes off in search of the man who saved his life.

The island the light house is on, is called Puffin Island, but there are no puffins there, until, the day Alan arrives at the light house.

Sweet story of the love of animals and the love of the land.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[melodram · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Ich hatte das Gefühl, in ein Land des Friedens zu dampfen, und schwor mir, es nie wieder zu verlassen. Diese Inseln sollten mein Zuhause sein.“
(S. 91)
.
In einer stürmischen Nacht kentert der viermastige Schoner „Pelikan“ vor der Küste der Scilly-Inseln. Unter den Passagieren befinden sich auch der fünfjährige Allen und seine Mutter. Sie werden gerettet. Durch das beherzte und entschlossene Eingreifen des Leuchtturmwärters Benjamin Postlethwaite kommen dreißig Männer, Frauen und Kinder sicher an Land. Im Leuchtturm versorgt der stille, in sich gekehrte Ben die Gestrandeten mit allem Notwendigen, ist hilfsbereit und zuvorkommend. Als sich der kleine Allen bei ihm bedanken will nickt er nur und schenkt ihm eine seiner Schiffszeichnungen. Das Bild wird Allen ein Leben lang bei sich tragen und oft an den alten Ben zurückdenken. Das Leben schreibt seine eigenen Geschichten, aber irgendwie wussten beide: es gibt ein Wiedersehen.

Michael Morpurgo erzählt in „Der Leuchtturmwärter und ich“ die Geschichte einer ganz besonderen Freundschaft, die Grenzen, Krieg und Trennung überdauert, immerwährt. Wundervoll untermalt von Benji Davis‘ Illustrationen erleben wir, wie zwei Menschen an- und miteinander wachsen, sich Kraft geben und zu neuem Leben finden. Mut, Schaffenskraft, Inspiration und die Liebe zur Natur versprüht dieses Buch auf jeder einzelnen seiner Seiten und hat damit auch mein Herz erwärmt. Ein träumerisches, sehr liebevoll gestaltetes Buch für Jung und Alt. Ich habe es sehr genossen.❤️
.
(PS: auch Papageientaucher spielen im Buch eine große Rolle und sie sind so süß!😍)
.
👉🏻aus dem Englischen von Henning Ahrens

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wat een mooi verhaal en wat een prachtige illustraties!
Op de valreep nog een toppertje gelezen in 2021!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this because of how beautiful the illustrations are, and I have no regrets. The story of a kind old lighthouse keeper rescuing a puffin and gaining a family warmed my heart. This book was a lovely experience.

[BookBairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh where to start with reviewing this wonder of a book? This is a truly moving book that will stay with you long after you’ve read it. It embraces themes of hope, friendship, conservation, art, war, family, reading and a love of lighthouses and puffins. Having adored every carefully chosen word throughout this story and marvelled over the glorious artwork throughout (some beautiful full colour spreads in particular), this book will really pull you in, pull your heartstrings and move a soulful reader. When I learned about the inspiration behind the story - Allen Lane, the founder of Puffin books - I am in awe of the tasteful storytelling of Morpurgo who has woven details of Allen Lane’s life into this enchanting tale but still created a whole new (not biographical) story. It’s nothing short of genius.

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because puffins are so cute and I enjoy Michael Morpurgo's books. The illustrations by Benji Davies really enhance this delightful story.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming and old-fashioned, the story as well as the narration. Hugh Laurie, unsurprisingly, narrates beautifully. And the illustrations in the print book are lovely, too.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Puffin Keeper - Michael Morpurgo

I love buying books for my nieces and nephews, especially if they are about birds, especially if they are about puffins and especially because I get to read them first to check them out before gifting them!

This was a beautiful book that I bought from Bempton Cliffs RSPB nature reserve which I'd travelled to specifically to go and watch some Puffins with my friend Kate. We didn't see loads, but we did spot at least 3 of these increasingly rare and beautiful birds. This book was in the gift shop and I've been meaning to buy a copy for ages and I also got upsold a plush puffin who makes puffin noises when you squeeze his tummy (sounds remarkably like a cow mooing!)

Synopsis from Goodreads

It was Benjamin Postlethwaite's job all his long life to make sure the light shone brightly high up in the lighthouse on Puffin Island. Not once in all his years as the lighthouse keeper had he ever let his light go out. But sometimes even the brightest light on a lighthouse cannot save a ship.

This is a story of a life-changing friendship, a lost puffin, and a lonely artist. It's the story of an entire lifetime, and how one event can change a life forever. From masterful storyteller, Michael Morpurgo, and world-class illustrator, Benji Davies, comes a magical new story. This truly beautiful tale will enchant readers of all ages.

It's a perfect book for younger children (even as young as 4 - 5 years) to have read to them as the illustrations are beautiful and the story is long enough to last a couple of bedtimes or one long and dedicated bedtime story. A keen reader would soon be able to read this to themselves and I hope that is what my nephew will do in the future. Set in a time very different to now it is a nostalgic and heart warming journey through the eyes of a young boy.

As an adult I was captivated and touched by the story and it makes you sad in parts, but also warms your heart and makes you smile. It also made me want to do what I can to look after and protect the puffins as they are such unique creatures.

A solid 4.5 stars and a book I hope I get to buy and read to more of my nieces and nephews in the future (thankfully at least two of them I know love nature and animals so may will get similar gifts in the future I'm sure!) I recommend this as a read for adults who love birds and nature or as a gift for kids of all ages! Loved this!

[Lonna Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little gem starts with a shipwreck and ends with an enduring friendship and family. Allen and his newly-widowed mother, along with 28 other souls, are rescued by the intrepid Puffin Island lighthouse keeper, Ben when their 4-masted schooner wrecks in a terrifying storm near Scilly in Cornwall, England. The young boy never forgot Ben's quiet bravery, making 5 trips in a small rowboat in the roiling sea to save all 30 people, and making everyone hot sweet tea. Ben's paintings covered the lighthouse interior, and he gave Allen one of a ship like the one that sank. After a sad and lonely childhood, Allen was sent to a boarding school at 8, where he learned to run, paint, read, and wrote letters to Ben, which were never answered. After his schooling, Allen visited Ben and discovered why his letters were unanswered. Ben couldn't read. Coincidentally, the 2nd visitor that day was an injured puffin, after years with none of the iconic birds at all. After serving in WW I, Allen returned again to the peace and serenity of life on Puffin Island with his wife, two children, mother & stepfather, an entire puffin colony and lifelong friend, Ben. Allen became a renowned author/illustrator, and started Penguin-Puffin Publishing! An incredible true story, the color illustrations and forlorn little boy with his rescuer take up permanent residence in one's heart.

[Cordelia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

The puffin keeper by Michael Morpurgo was a happy uplifting story as well as a good book to read. This story really touched me it brought me happiness and joy and care. I liked the setting of this book the sea and the lighthouse it felt atmospheric reading it and also there was animals included as well like puffins so that gave the book standard. Morpurgo did a good job on the writing style and the illustrations for this book. The genres for this book where friendship, happiness, peace, and loyalty. My favourite character was Allen because he was very kind and caring to the puffin keeper Benjamin Postlethwaite and he taught him how to read and Allen followed his dreams and started his career. Also Allen was very kind to the puffins as well. My favourite part was when Allen and the puffin keeper were taking care of the injured puffin that was a very sweet moment. This book is for all ages and it will really melt your heart when reading it. Morpurgo did a amazing job capturing this story and bringing it to life.

[Haley The Caffeinated Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://thecaffeinatedreader.com/2020...

What an endearing and gorgeously illustrated tale. It was so heartwarming and with so much detail put into it in so few pages without being overwhelming. The Puffin Keeper himself was my favorite character, a silent type but absolutely a hero in his own right, saving people and puffins alike!

Benjamin also has a lot of growth in finding what makes him happy and learning who he is and in many ways it’s a coming of age tale as much as a coming home tale. I loved that Benjamin didn’t need to be connected to a place through ‘blood’ to make it his, to make it home.

I will gush more about the art, it is absolutely beautiful, and not only enhanced the tale but gave you the story itself, you could in some ways read this separately, with just the words, or just the art, but putting them together is pretty much perfection!

I really enjoyed this, 5/5 cups of coffee from me!

[Brigit Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

De jongen en de papegaaiduiker is een prachtig boek om voor te lezen. Het boek zit vol met sfeervolle illustraties, soms over twee bladzijden. Er is veel wit op de bladzijden en een groot lettertype, waardoor het een zelfleesboek lijkt. Dit kan ook wel, alleen de lange zinnen met veel komma's en soms ouderwetse woorden lenen zich er beter voor om voorgelezen te worden.

Het verhaal gaat over Allen, die op vijfjarige leeftijd met zijn moeder en dertig opvarenden op een schip, gered werd door voortorenwachter Benjamin Poslethwaite. Benjamin woont alleen op het Papegaaiduikerseiland. Allen belandt met zijn moeder in Engeland, maar kan de vuurtorenwachter niet vergeten. Hij kijkt dagelijks naar het kleine schilderijtje die hij van Benjamin heeft gekregen. Na de middelbare school besluit hij op bezoek te gaan bij Benjamin Poslethwaite.

Het verhaal wordt verteld in de ik-vorm door Allen. Vanaf het moment dat hij terugkeert op het Papegaaiduikerseiland vertelt hij in de we-vorm. Zo verteld Michael Morpurgo op een indirecte manier dat Allen een eenzame jongen is, die op zoek is naar contact. Het verhaal geeft, ondanks dat het duidelijk in een andere tijd speelt, mooie aanknopingspunten met met kinderen te praten: hebben ze ook iemand die heel bijzonder voor hen is? Mooi voorleesverhaal voor groep 4 en 5, om helemaal in een andere wereld te duiken.

[Jessica Sharland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I really lovely story and quite easy to read based on historical fiction, this book to me seemed quite simple and succinct. Personally, I did feel there was a great deal of flourishing vocabulary in there any the plot felt short lived.

Micheal Morpurgo has a special way with words and engaging his readers through text this felt quite rushed. Nevertheless, I do feel that children may enjoy this book and there are potential opportunities to stretch this out in cross-curricular manner or as a sub text to an additional ‘light house’ themed book or piece of writing.

[Mitzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I debated back and forth about rating this 4 or 5 stars and determined that the only reason I would have given it 4 stars is that I wanted more! This is such a delightful and unexpected find. Somehow in this short book, a lifetime of events (and emotions) is covered from when young Allen and his mother (and others) are rescued by a lighthouse keeper named Benjamin Postlethwaite and Allen growing into adulthood and reconnecting with Benjamin. It's a story about life-changing moments, true friendships and of course puffins. In addition to this endearing story, the numerous watercolor illustrations by Benji Davies are captivating. This is a book for all ages!

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pre-read for my eldest, who loves puffins. Surprisingly, it didn’t have much to do with puffins until the very end, and then not in any great detail about the birds themselves, which I think will disappoint her. There’s not much by way of plot overall, but this would be a gentler way to introduce harder topics (like shipwrecks, war, prison camps, etc) over the next year or so because none is talked about in great detail.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This is such an immensely beautiful and uplifting read.

Dedicated to the founder of Penguin Books and "the real Puffin Man, but also the Pelican Man, and of course the Penguin Man", the story follows a lighthouse keeper who saves 30 passengers during a shipwreck and the unlikely friendship he strikes up with one of the little boys whom he rescued.

The story really warmed my heart and I love the illustrations. I only wish it was longer.

So how do puffins come into play? You'll just have to read the book to find out 😉

Highly recommended!

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Morpurgo a gifted wise old soul

Another outstanding story as with a very large majority of his stories this to is based on a personal & factual story combined beautifully together

Please do not be fooled into thinking his short stories are only for young readers.

Some of his stories may be physically short but the power within those pages is explosive

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful read and exquisitely illustrated.

[Kathryn Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So...turns out I'm massively into puffins now, lol who would've seen that coming! Damn I love Benji Davies' illustrations tho