The Sleeping Sword

by Michael Morpurgo

An enchanting take on the legend of King Arthur from Britain’s best-loved children’s author, Michael Morpurgo.









‘There stood before me an ancient man swathed in a dark and tattered fleece, his long hair and beard matted with filth, his face grey with grief and age. Holding the sword out in front of me, I backed away until I felt the sink behind me and I could go no further. His eyes followed me all the way.' When Bun Bendle is struck blind, he feels like he is drowning in blackness. But the discovery of an ancient tomb and a strangely familiar sword changes him forever.









The Sleeping Sword weaves a contemporary tale with Arthurian legend in a way that is utterly spellbinding. Once again, former Children’s Laureate and award-winning author of War Horse, Michael Morpurgo, demonstrates why he is considered to be the master story teller.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Childrens, Arthurian, Adventure, Middle Grade, Historical Fiction

128 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2002

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

[Fatma Al Zahraa Yehia · Rating 3 out of 5]

المراجعة باللغة العربية في الجزء الثاني....
As it is the way with all Morpurgo's novels, I was easily grabbed by the first lines of the story.
Bun is a ten years old boy who had an accident that left him blind. The story explores how the sudden loss of his sight affected his spirit, and how his family and friends supported him to cope with that unfortunate change in his life.

I was very pleased with reading till the part of King Arthur. Due to my total ignorance of the historical background of that story, I wasn't able at all to feel the connection between the dream that Bun had, and the main story's plot. Sadly, I couldn't really understand the ending.

أرشح روايات مايكل موربورجو بقوة لكل من يبحث عن قصص للناشئين ذات مضمون انساني وايقاع احداث مشوق وجذاب. وأفضل ما يميز كتاباته هى سطوره الأولى التي "تخطف" القارىء ببساطة شديدة الى داخل الرواية وعالمها.

يصدم "بن" بطل الرواية الصغير بفقدانه المفاجىء لبصره بعد حادثة يتعرض لها. يتغير عالمه فجأة بعد تلك الحادثة ويصبح عدم اداركه لكيفية التعامل مع ذلك التغير فوق طاقة تحمله.

يُذهلنا الأصدقاء وقت الشدة. فإما نُصدم بتخليهم عنا وخذلانهم لنا، أو نُفاجأ بقوة دعمهم التي لم نكن نتخيل أنها موجودة بهم..
تمثل الصداقة في تلك القصة عامل أساس في قدرة "بن" على مواجهة التغير الصادم الذي حدث له. كما نجد في والدي "بن" مثلا قويا وشجاعا لأب وأم تغلبوا على صدمتهم في مصاب ابنهم، وحاولوا بحب ودعم واصرار تهيئة تلك الابن لمواجهة حياته الجديدة.

يهرب "بن" من واقعه الصعب بالخيال. ونجد داخل قصة "بن" قصة أخرى. وللأسف لم أجد رابطا قويا بين القصة المتخيلة والتي استغرقت نصف الرواية تقريبا وبين القصة الحقيقية. وذلك مما قلل تقييمي لتلك القصة الرائعة.

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was obsessed with this book during my late primary school years. My sisters both read it, and we had it in soft paperback. It always used to sit on the edge of the bathtub upstairs, or lie on the windowsill in the kitchen. For some reason, it was always to hand, whether it be left on the stairs or balanced on the arm of the couch. It was like an accessible escape, and thus I read this book from cover to cover too many times to count. I marvelled at it. I was completely and utterly amazed by it.

Why? I don't know. But in me it inspired a love for obscure mythology, magical and possessed items, and this long-suffering sentimental love for British children's literature.

Kudos for that.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bun is part of a small community living on one of the Scilly Isles. The book is his story, told in his own words, about how he became blind ... and how he learned to cope. He distracts himself from being alone in the dark with audio books, his favorites being Arthurian legends. Things take a fascinating turn when (a couple years later) Bun and his father find an ancient tomb on their farm.

Slice-of-life that tiptoes into the realms of magical realism. Fair Warning: Bun is wretched enough at first to attempt suicide.

[Sara Darr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Michael Morpurgo book I have read, Kensuke's Kingdom being the first which I thoroughly enjoyed. 'The Sleeping Sword' is about the story of Bun, a child who whilst showing off to a girl he likes, unfortunately has a disastrous fall which results in him becoming blind, he then magically discovers a special sword and shield in a secret tomb in his father's field. The story is briefly related to the history of King Arthur which may interest children who enjoy historical stories. It is a short story and quite easy to read although it does differ in comparison to Morpurgo's other books. I felt that it was a good story but at times I lost interest. I also felt that it lacked more depth compared to Kensuke's Kingdom which I believe was successful in making the reader feel like they were entering another fantasy world. I would recommend this to Y3 upwards and of course any avid fans of Michael Morpurgo.

[Seonaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

When 10 year old Bun dives off the pier to impress his friend's big sister, the love of his life, he hits his head off a rock, and wakes up blind. And thus Bun's life is changed forever. With his usual skill, Morpurgo traces the changes Bun and his family must face, and the fear and resentment Bun feels at times - in fact, this is the first Morpurgo book I have read that deals with even the thought of committing suicide, a description that left Izzie open mouthed and glittery eyed (but no worries, it IS still a younger kids' book after all!)

Woven throughout the reality of Bun's new life is the fantasy element, a story of King Arthur and Excalibur, a story that ultimately suggests hope, both for the ancient King and for Bun himself. This is a short book, only 118 pages, but it is packed with excitement, adventure and emotion. Iz and I both thoroughly enjoyed it (and no, I still haven't got through a Morpurgo yet without needing a handy tissue).

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy is blinded, must cope. Dreams of finding old tomb with King Arthur's sword that heals him, then dream comes true.

[James Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this when I was starting teaching and loved it, and have just read it to my 8-year-old, who was sat spellbound by it. It’s not up there with Kensuke’s Kingdom or Private Peaceful but it’s still a really good, short read.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and enjoyable.

[Doueye Brisibe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely a good, heartwarming story like everything by Micheal Morpurgo.
The middle was a bit drawn out, hence the three stars. In all, I'm really glad I read it.

[Iyinoluwa Fayoyin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Not so good. But cool.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book deals with historical and legendary personalities and connects to the modern world, the imagination of a boy accidentally loses vision.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only 80 people live on Bryher in the Scilly Isles. Bun Bendle is one of them. He writes a story called 'The Sleeping Sword'. It seems to be autobiographical, but that's one of the mysteries of this book - only at a certain point do you realise the story had a large component of creative imagination. But there's no real clue where reality ends and imagination begins. All that I could be sure of was that it was before the incident where Bun falls into a hole in a field - and up to then, events seemed very ordinary. It's only after that that events take a fantastic, fantasy turn.

This confusion is why I dropped a star off a book I otherwise loved. Some spoilers follow:

One day Bun tries to impress Anna, the girl he loves, by diving off the quay. He hadn't noticed it was low tide and hits his head on a rock. Anna saves his life but he winds up blind (which the entire island knows about) and with a seriously patchy memory (which he keeps secret).

When his parents decide to send him to a special school on the mainland, he decides he can't take it anymore and that throwing himself off a cliff is the best option. Anna again saves his life. Then she and his friends persuade his parents to send him to a Braille teacher who has only just retired to live on St. Mary's.

Bun adjusts as best he can. His main consolation are his audiobooks: The Sword in the Stone, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Arthur High King of Britain. One day as he is going out into the potato field to call his father in for tea, he falls into a hole. In fact, it's an underground tomb - going back about 1500 years. To the era of Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. There's a sword and a shield in the tomb. And they look so well-preserved.

As Bun touches the sword, he sees gleams of light; the first light that has penetrated his darkness since he went blind. That night he dreams of an old knight, Bedivere, coming to see him and asking him to fulfil a final quest - to return Excalibur to King Arthur. In the dream, he and Anna board a ghost ship for the island of Little Arthur where they find an ancient king, tended by six black queens, awaiting them. They spend time there and, when Bun wakes up next morning, he can see.

And so Bun's creative writing story ends. But then he goes out into the potato field - - and falls in a hole. And somehow senses he can make his fiction into reality.

[Owen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read this at a very young age, it's a book that's stayed with me for a while. I remember on countless ocassions reading through this book. Over and over again. It provided me with wisdom and it provided me with an imagination. It was what brought me to like Michael Morpurgo in the first place. I remember writing book reviews for primary school on this book. Reading it over and over again, memorising the characters. Memorising the plot. It's stayed with me until now. It was a striking book that left it's mark. Although it's definitely more for ages 8-12 In my opinion, I still would recommend anyone to have a read through this book.

[Catherine Pinkett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several Michael Morpurgo books and really enjoyed them. This is one U didn't think was his best writing! It tried to mix the current day accident and it's consequences with a bit of Arthurian legend mixed in and for me it just didn't get together properly

[Claire Hasirci · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old tale made relevant to younger readers and with a surprising twist at the end. Good for teaching cliffhangers and other types of story endings.

[16ParrJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of my favourite books of all time. This book contains such nice content and is beautifully worded to help you connect to the book and storyline. Would definitely recommend!!

[Rachel Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story. Simple language paints a lovely picture throughout.

[Maia Ben-Yami · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magical book, which shows very nicely a blind boy's hopes and wishes!

[Jasper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is so good apart from one crucial point - at the end of Bun's story he has his character (himself) regain his sight. I can understand that he wouldn't want to be blind, but this ending to his story presents his blindness as something that needs to be cured, and yes, while it would be preferable to Bun for him to be sighted, what sort of message is this to another young blind person? That the only proper and happy ending to a story about a blind kid is where he stops being blind, something that these children most likely would not be able to do? Wouldn't a book where a child learns to be content and happy while blind be a much better message for other blind children, and not fall into the common ableist trope where the disabled character has to be 'cured' to be happy?
Had this one small aspect of this book changed, I probably would have liked it a lot more. :(

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sleeping Sword is another of Morpurgo’s magical stories set on the Isles of Scilly based on the infamous legend of King Arthur.
When Bun Bendle is struck blind, he feels as though he is drowning in an infinite sea of blackness. He feels all alone, except for his best friend Anna, who rescues him from his devastation and negativity and makes him see blindness as a feature rather than an incurable disability.
One day he falls down a hole in his father’s potato field and Bun Bendle’s life is changed forever in more ways than one…
He discovers a grave, but not just any grave – an ancient tomb from the 5th century AD, a tomb which contains a sword and a shield that have the power to relieve Bun from his endless blackness – a sword and shield that can only belong to one person.
I liked how this book linked the present day to legends of the past.
Enjoy reading!

[Gailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"There is no such thing as luck. It was meant. All this was meant. All that happens is meant to happen. Merlin told me I should soon have Excalibur again, that he had chosen a messenger who would bring it to me. Nothing happens unless Merlin means it to happen.'

After a stupid mistake, a young boy is struck with blindness. In the midst of dramatic change, hope fades and bitterness seeps in. Through the power of the old stories, he begins to believe again.

A Morpurgo story I didn't get to read growing up. For a children's book, it deals with some really heavy stuff. But at its core it is a heartwarming story of acceptance in midst of hardship.

The mix of the modern story and the Arthurian legend is a little jarring, but I think it mostly works.

[Anthony Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy a Michael Morpurgo book and this one was a fun read. About a blind farm boy living on the Scilly Isles, the story is about him uncovering King Arthur's buried sword and shield. It has magical elements to it, and you're not sure whether his adventures meeting Arthur are real or just a dream, so it's a keep-you-guessing read for young readers.


But, as it is such a short read, and written a little on autopilot, I didn't really "feel" much from the story. It was just words and nice illustrations. A nice read, but there are much better Morpurgo books out there.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this might have been the first of his books I read as a child as I was hooked. From then on, devoured everything of his that I could get my hands on. This felt really nostalgic for me. Morpurgo always writes the most heartwarming stories, this one with references to King Arthur, High King of Britain. A beautiful story about a boy with a remember imagination that loses his sight. Im really looking forward to rereading his other stories.

[Ashleigh - Hazel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has a wild imagination and I like the part where it says the boy named Bundle goes blind and his friends Anna, Liam and Dan get everyone on the island to sign the petition for Bun to stay on the mainland. The book is almost like a dream, you can imagine everything in the book from where Bundle falls into a hole to the part when he talks to Arthur and leaves again and also the part where Bundle gets his eyesight back.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We’ve had this book in the house for about 20 years. Bought after a holiday to the Scillies when my first son was at primary school. I’d never read it but was talking about it with my youngest son who had so thought I should catch up.

It’s a kids book and I’m 50 which is why it only got 3 stars from me but an engaging read nevertheless.

[Darren Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Morpurgo... tick, Arthurian legend... tick, and add an emotive personal element to the text
via the lead character and you have another awesome book from this author. Boy, I wish his books were around when I was a lad I just know that I wouldn't have been such a reluctant reader then. Thank you sir.

[Roaming Briton · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Childhood book. Quite a fresh perspective from Morpurgo who usually writes children's wartime/historical fiction. Back then I didn't even know Morpurgo was a local celebrity to Devon lol. This one along with Kasper had since been signed by him when my sister and I met him a book signing at the release of a christmas book. Great author and person!

[Leo Margetts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book because of the way the boy-Bun- returned from what the doctor said was pernamently blind just by dreaming about King Arthur and Merlin. I feel furious at him for not looking where to dive at the beginning of the story. When he dived onto sharp rocks that was what made him blind.

[Opticalillusion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this Michael Morpurgo book following St George's Day and it was the closest I could find in my home library. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am keeping hold of it for my daughters' one day to devour it too.

[Annabel Peet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story tying historical legend to present reality. The reader follows the main character in a journey through sudden blindness to regaining sight with the basis of Arthurian legend. Highly recommended book with strong relationships and characters.