Escape from Shangri-La

by Michael Morpurgo

A gripping and heartfelt war story from Britain’s best-loved children’s author, Michael Morpurgo. Turned away by his own son, Cessie’s long-lost grandfather finds himself in the place he fears most a nursing home called Shangri-La. Only Cessie loves him and is determined to help him escape and unravel the truth of his past. A past that comes to him only in glimpses a lifeboat, a tin of condensed milk, a terrifying night on the beaches of Dunkirk in World War II.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adventure, Historical Fiction, Historical

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

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

[Greenglasses · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good, I personally think it is the best Michael Morpurgo has written. (my personal opinion) Although it was a short read, I feel like it had all the good aspects of a long novel.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Escape From Shangri-La is quite an interesting book. The plot is something like this: Cessie tried to help Popsicle to remember his past, but how can she help? She is just 11 years old and she doesn’t even know what happened… The only thing that Popsicle can remember is his family.

There are a lot of characters in this story, but the main characters are Popsicle and Cessie. Popsicle is a 65-year-old man; he has a son called Arthur; he has a granddaughter too. His granddaughter’s name is Cessie. Cessie is 11 years old; she is an intelligent and kind girl. However, the author should write Cessie as 17 or 18 years old; at 11 years old, she can’t protect Popsicle and help him remember his past in Shangri - La. But the author is just trying to make the readers more interested because they might be the same age. Cessie did not know that she had a grandfather till one day, Popsicle went to Cessie and told her that he was her grandfather; he couldn’t remember anything except his family. Cessie promised to help Popsicle remember his past.

Michael Morpurgo did a really great job. I think he wrote this book for everyone; it doesn’t include any bad things like bloody scenes or violent scenes. It is just talking about how Cessie helps Popsicle remember his past. I wish the author could do better on the beginning, it’s too boring; it keeps saying the same things in the whole chapter. The rest of this book is very interesting. When I was reading, I was so excited and wanted to flip the page immediately. It is good that the author did not foreshadow the ending so it won’t spoil the story.

I recommend this book to young teenagers. The words inside are a little difficult, so maybe younger children won’t really understand. If you have very good English, you will think that this book is too easy for you.

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a short read but it was good and the ending was really sweet.

[Jackie Rudge · Rating 5 out of 5]

MM never disappoints. Read to my 8 y. O. Son who was gripped.

[jessiah marielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

read this in 2020 so i don’t remember much… so i’ll need to reread this soon to give a proper rating/review.

but for now it’s 2 stars — sweet but not memorable i think.

[penelopewanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always wonder if I can use books by this author with my EFL students as Private Peaceful was such a big hit. This one, about a long lost grandfather/father might be an option, but I'm not sure how interested the kids would be.
A very quick read here in Mallorca.

[Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose there comes a time when a writer reaching a certain age looks warily around at the nearest care home for those of advanced years and sees a place of incarceration and failing memory. Instead of seeing the staff as underpaid, over worked and poorly trained, yet always doing their best, the author imagines an authoritative prison camp commanded by an overbearing matron who loves nothing better than humiliating the inmates. For me having Shangri-La meeting that stereotype of mistreatment of the elderly is the only drawback to this novel. Other than that it is a wonderfully simple story of believable characters coping with trying times.

When Arthur Stevens' long lost father turns up one day it affects everyone in the family. Popsicle, as he's known, deserted his wife and son when he was a young man, leaving Arthur with a deep hurt and a distrust of the man. Arthur's wife and daughter know nothing of the history and can only see a lonely old man descending into dementia, so they take him in to be cared for. The author introduces the reader to the intricacies of the relationships piece by piece, so that even Arthur can eventually see that Popsicle has had his own harsh history.

The crux of the story comes when Popsicle has to be admitted into the Shangri-La care home after suffering a mild stroke and Cessie, Arthur's daughter, is able to find out where Popsicle had been living. Through that she is able to unravel the details of his past, part shameful and part heroic. Sadly what follows is the "escape" from Shangri-La, which brings a moving and beautifully told story of family into the world of an amiable, mildly amusing sitcom of misadventures among a group of pensioners.

It doesn't quite work and for the first time in the story sentiment creeps in with tears, much hugging and forgiveness all round. It is a happy ending which kills off all the emotion that had been gradually building in an expert combining of the views of old and young and the different generations of family experience.

[CR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is typical Morpurgo. This is a delightful story about a small family unit, that are living their lives, until one day an old man turns up at their door and introduces himself as Popsicle. Popsicle is the long lost father of Dad. Popsicle has his ups and down and struggles with his memory.

This is a wonderful story about building bridges and taking risks.

[Zuki Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite boring at first but then it gets super exiting. The main characters are Cessie, Popcicle, (the grandfather) mum and dad. Popcicle doesn't know where he lives and so he goes to his sons house.

[Klare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written and lovely characters.

[Faizan · Rating 3 out of 5]

here is the review.

[Sarah Musgrave · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A fuga de Xangri-la” de Michael Morpurgo é um romance infanto-juvenil, que pode ser lido por todos.

Esta pequena história tem todos os ingredientes de um romance mais longo.

As personagens centrais são Cessie, de 11 anos e Popsicle, o seu avô, que não sabia existir.

O pai de Cessie, Arthur, não reaje bem ao aparecimento do pai, que desapareceu quando ainda era criança.

Cessie desenvolve uma ligação muito forte com o avô e vai fazer tudo o que conseguir para o manter na sua vida.

Será que Popsicle vai ficar com Cessie?

PONTOS FORTES:

-escrita simples e emotiva

-personagens com muitas camadas

-história deliciosa

-drama familiar

-Não tem cenas violentas

-mensagem bonita

PONTOS FRACOS:

- nada a registar

Este livro levou-me de volta à minha adolescência. Adorei a mensagem bonita que passa sobre unidade familiar e relação entre avô e neta. Uma leitura para qualquer idade.

Cotação: 4 estrelas

[Fatima Jumaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a summer holiday and raining steam. There is a little girl, she is 11 years old and her name is Cessie. She loves to watch her mother doing the ironing. At the window she sees a man standing in the road outside, he’s wearing a blue jacket, hair was long and white, he is looking at her when he stands like that.

She tells her mom to come and see the man but she is very obsessive with ironing. And then she leant across her and closed the curtains. She smiled her ever so knowing smile at me. Then, Cessie became upset and left the room and went upstairs because she didn’t want to do the violin practice.

Whatever, she believed that her father would come to her room, sit and listen to her play. Her father was working in a radio station and he was a very busy father. After that, she went to the top of the stairs and heard a door opening and there was a shadow down the hallway.

Cessie had never ever seen her grandfather but this day she saw the man standing in front of the door and said when he looked at Cessie “You must be Cessie” ..? Then he told her he was her granddad and he’s young Arthur’s dad. Cessie stood and didn’t know what to say just looking at the man who was her granddad but at that moment she smiled and hugged her grandfather.

In my opinion what I read and understood from this story taught other students the importance of relationships in the family and to respect good attitude and emotion with others is a great care to keep us strong

In my opinion, this story Escape from Shangri-La is a great story and I would recommend it.

[Hakkalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! I was so excited as I was reading. It was a while by the time I could join the bookcover with the story. Finally watching the cover I I SEE the story!

We experience the happinings from Cessie's point of view, which is very interesting mainly she is angry at her parents. I like the way as how Morpurgo tells Cessie's feelings, thoughts. The best part or rather the best moment was when Cessie was waiting for Popsicle to start and Popsicle arrived with a car AND .. :D I had to laugh a big!! The story is full with emotions, sad and happy moments change each other, meanwhile it made me laugh as well.

It was a very good decision to buy this book!
Wonderful writing, wonderful storyline!

[Ceri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read about reconciliation of a father and son and granddaughter and also the blossoming relationship of grandfather or Popsicle as he is affectionately called and his granddaughter Cessie as she tries to help him recall the memories of his passed life in WW2. Not as exciting as the title suggests but it is a very good read. I would highly recommend this book to any school teachers to uses as recommended fiction reading if the class is studying WW2 as it is a good view point and has many good points of discussion such as how times have changed between the WW2 and now, how and why people did what they did etc.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read this with my English student as an introduction to a WW2 topic. This was the second Michael Morpurgo book we had read together and although very different to Kensukes Kingdom it was equally engaging. The relationship between Popsicle and Cassie is charming and the story is engaging right to the end.

[Fuad Taghiyev · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was quite fine and addictive book for me. I was waiting for a different ending (not spoiling:). In my opinion, the middle was the most interesting part, I couldn't put the book down. I recommend it for children between 11-14 years old.

[Green Jazz Blues · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, we have Morpurgo showing a deep insight to his characters and a really good story. Most of them seem to be around the war years or as in this case, not too many years after. The adventure is a bit far-fetched but is quite enchanting.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know she's 12, but Cessie is such an annoying character.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really struggled to finish reading this book aloud to my youngest without greeting. Held it together...just.

[Andy N · Rating 4 out of 5]

* An slightly different audio version will appear on the Reading in Bed Podcast for April 2021 in April which is available on all the usual networks including readinginbed.bandcamp.com

BLURB:

A gripping and heartfelt war story from Britain’s best-loved children’s author, Michael Morpurgo.
Turned away by his own son, Cessie’s long-lost grandfather finds himself in the place he fears most a nursing home called Shangri-La. Only Cessie loves him and is determined to help him escape and unravel the truth of his past. A past that comes to him only in glimpses a lifeboat, a tin of condensed milk, a terrifying night on the beaches of Dunkirk in World War II …
Former Children’s Laureate and award-winning author of War Horse, Michael Morpurgo, demonstrates why he is considered to be the master story teller with this tale of strife and loss in World War II.

STRENGTHS:

Although the book has some supporting characters, this story is mostly focused around 4 characters – Cessie (a 11 year old girl), her dad Arthur and her mom. This compact family unit’s relationship is changed when Arthur’s dad, Popsicle after being separated from Arthur 50 odd years ago.

Popsicle is however unable to say much as he is suffering from a illness which bought apparent was a stroke and he eventually gets placed in Shangri-La, a care home.

The strengths in the book for me was Popscile and his relationship with Cessie which was touching and heart-breaking building up into a story about relationship – teaching us to be more tolerant, learn to forgive and accept.

As a book, it’s not a patch on the last book of his I read ‘Why the Wales come’ which I also reviewed for my podcast ‘Reading in Bed’ as that film had much more of a dark emotional feel on the island, but the themes of the book are the same about love and understanding.

WEAKNESSES:

Perhaps the book could have being teased out a little bit more as it was only just over 200 pages, but sometimes that’s not a bad thing I did see the ending coming a mile off.
The last bit of the book also in France also felt a step too far with a crew of elderly pensioners all sailing a boat to France, but it was charming and engaging.

8/10

[Padmini Palaparthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is mainly about 4 characters - Cessie ( a 12-year-old girl), her dad-Arthur, her mom and her grandfather, Popsicle. One fine day, Popsicle turns out of nowhere and tells that family that he is Arthur's father who had separated from him 50 years ago. The family is quite taken by surprise and is curious to know more but unfortunately, Popsicle remembers very little from his past. While the mother and daughter accept him and try to make all efforts to make him feel at home, the father is very reluctant and finds it very hard to accept Popsicle into his life.

Cessie-nearly a Teenager-goes through a very emotional journey as she finds herself getting deeply attached with her grandfather, empathizing with him as he struggles to get his memory back. Often, she finds herself failing to understand her parents - Their actions and reactions, leading to altercations and disagreements. Meanwhile, she also has her own challenges with classmates at school which she needs to tackle. She is sometimes confused, sometimes very determined. She sometimes feels very vulnerable and scared while at other times, she feels emboldened and decisive. But she is sure of one thing- That she wants to help Popsicle.

Eventually Cessie does succeed in doing so. Together they set out on a journey to find the answer to a question that has been troubling Popsicle for long. Like most of Micheal Morpurgo's stories, this one too has a happy ending with a reconciliation between the father and son and the former getting complete acceptance into the family. Its a story about relations - teaching us to be more tolerant, to forgive and be more accepting.

A 'nice feel-good book' but I'm giving it 3 stars as I felt that there are some loose ends in the story. In some parts, the author could have delved a bit deeper, which would have helped the reader better understand and appreciate the rationale and reasons behind certain actions of some characters in the story.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great tale to be enjoyed by the whole family!Escape from Shangri-La is another of best-selling talented author Michael Morpurgo's brilliant tales, based on the devastating event that occurred at Dunkirk in 1940.
Cessie is determined to help her grandfather Popsicle remember his past, but he can only remember in glimpses: a tin of condensed milk, a woman named Lucie Alice and a devastating night at Dunkirk in World War II...
This book was not as sad as some of Morpurgo's others so I would recommend it to all readers Year 5 up (10+), but it still has the solemnity and sombreness to it, however with some happiness too. The story centres around family, adventures, wartime, boats, reminiscence and the elderly. This story was engaging for me and I think that perhaps others would find it interesting too as it is perhaps more relatable to them (being set in the year 2000 or 2001). This tale was not quite like any other of Morpurgo's (yet still an excellent classic)... I think in this particular book he has tried to explore a new way of discussing wartime with readers.
I would recommend this to fans of wartime novels and Morpurgo. This tale actually reminded me a little of David Walliam's Grandpa's Great Escape although, of course, Escape from Shangri-La uses less humour and is more serious - and the story is, if anything, about boats rather than the RAF!

[Jason Arbuckle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 247 - Michael Morpurgo - Escape from Shangri-La

I haven’t read a Morpurgo novel since I was teaching…probably over ten years..I will have to change that. I was sitting waiting for my daughter who had an appointment and noticed they had a lending library. Could I really finish the 200+ page book in an hour ? Well…yes…yes I could…and indeed did.

The downside to his stories is that can get dark ..very dark. With a modern story that revolves around broken families…inter generational conflict…memory loss and throw in a dose of WW2 intrigue, you have a wonderful story that could be developed into a superb school project.

When a long lost grandfather turns up …the previously broken relationship between father and son seems to about to take central stage…and then…rather brilliantly we are shifted into familial tales of a grandfather and granddaughter, Cessie… building bridges, a father and son..wary of being apart from nearly 50 years and a mother, father and daughter..being driven apart due to lack of simply being prepared to listen.

After an accident causes him to lose his memory it develops into the grandfather trying to remember where he has been, where he lives and how he links to Dunkirk in WW2.

The emotional and thrilling climax involves an escape from a nursing home with other septuagenarians and a race across the Channel to discover the truth…leading to a wonderfully poignant finale. I’m not crying…I just have something in my eye.

[Kelvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a normal Saturday, Cessie start to experience a surprise of her young age. Her grandad Popiscle suddenly pop-out in her life. It trigger an adventurous story on how she help Popiscle to regaining his memories and kicking off a boat trip to Dunkirk to pursue his own dream.
The story has a lot of arguments on how adult handling a relationship with mis-aligned expectation and aged disappointment. It properly reflects the situation we faced at modern age now as most of us growing up at the industrial and economy driven century, we are not being well-trained or well educated on how to handle relationships or how to resolve a problematic relationship with honesty and open-minded communication.
Thru the story, the value of unconditional love and forgiveness are the key of relationship between father-and-son, mother-and-daughter, etc., the answer is no longer on right or wrong but a kindness heart to love and forgive.

[Atifa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet, this is definitely one of those books you could finish in one sitting. I love stories of reunited family. The dynamic between the main character Cecile and her grandpa Popsicle was sweet and unique. They had a connection that others around them couldn’t understand.

Morpurgo’s words have always been eloquent and easy to read. The plot was also easy to follow with enough adventure to keep the reader hooked. The plot twists and turns were also engaging.

[Faloesy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit boek staat al in m'n kast sinds ik als 13 jarige de dichter Theo Olthuis mocht interviewen en toen een boek uit zijn collectie mocht kiezen. Nu na al die jaren en meerdere verhuizingen was het tijd om 'm eindelijk te lezen en daarna een nieuw thuis te geven. Mooi verhaal, zeker een jonge jury waardig boek! Vond de schrijfstijl af en toe behoorlijk simpel, zelfs als je bedenkt dat het een tienerboek is.

[Dorrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous work, full of pathos and empathy for the invisibility of old-age and a nuanced representation of the bond between the old and the young. Also, this showed both the fragility of families and the strength and the importance of including all generations and valuing all generations. A really beautiful and moving book, I loved it, and Popsicle just made for such a great hero, with a love for condensed milk that any discerning person just has to share!

[Elisabeille]

Une véritable pépite pour les fans de Morpurgo. On y retrouve quelques uns de ses ingrédients magiques : un voyage aventureux en mer réalisé en famille pour résoudre une quête ancienne. Raconté par une petite fille pour laquelle rien n'est simple, le lecteur s'y laisse emporter. Accessible à un niveau en anglais B1.

[Paul Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a travelling companion before boarding a pretty long flight when I had nothing else to read. It’s basically the story of a 12 year old girl and the grandfather whose existence she had just recently learned of. I would say that it’s really a book for people of her age or maybe a couple of years older, but I stuck with the book and managed to finish the story.