When Fishes Flew: The Story of Elena’s War
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By Michael Morpurgo
avg rating
16 reviews
This first new novel in two years from the Nation’s Favourite Storyteller is a sweeping story of love and rescue – an unforgettable journey to the Greek island of Ithaca, and back in time to World War Two…
Australian-Greek girl Nandi travels to her ancestors’ home in Ithaca, and discovers – through a friendship with an extremely unusual flying fish – the extraordinary story of her great-aunt Elena; of how she fell in love, in the hardest of times, and how of how she became an unsung hero of World War Two. But Elena has gone missing, and Nandi has to find her. In her search, she will discover that Elena was an even greater hero than she thought – and still is… Nandi’s story is a beautiful and inspiring tale of personal discovery, of love and place and belonging, threaded through with the quiet heroism of everyday people. Stunningly illustrated throughout by acclaimed artist George Butler, and full of magic, myth and mystery, it is a classic Morpurgo novel that will move and thrill every reader who loved Private Peaceful and War Horse, and combines all the hallmarks of this beloved Master Storyteller. TweetReviews
I like this book and would recommend it.
a touching story with a Greek legacy
Entertaining and magical!
I like the way that it expressed how the boy was feeling when he found out that his Auntie Ellie wouldn't be able to come to America anymore.
I didn't chose 5 because it wasn't explained clear enough
This book made me happy and sad, I love how Auntie Ellie was such a hero.
I liked Amanda (Nandi) because it was kind of her to go and visit her Auntie Ellie in Ithaca Greece. Her Auntie Ellie was an amazing person and was a great swimmer. She crossed the channel in the huge crashing waves to get the boat and fetch her father to save Manos her brother at the other side of the channel with a friend Alexis who carried Manos down the hill's.
I liked nandi best It was a very good book
I read this book in one sitting! There are several illustrations which makes this possible. This book hits 2 history topics taught at school! It covers Ancient Greece and WW2.
This was my favourite book about Egypt and Australia and a war
It was fab
This book was filled with historical context and emotion. It really touched my heart.
This book was slow to start off with but when I was about a 1/4 of the way through it picked up and I started to really enjoy it.
It was a fiction book, as the title suggests "When Fishes Flew" is part of the book and can't happen. My favourite character was Elena because she was really brave in the war.
I would recommend it as long as you are prepared to give the book a go and take time to get into it.
I thought this book was very good. It involved a girl who grows up to see her old Aunt in Greece but when she arrives, she finds her aunt is missing. She goes to the seaside and something magical happens. My favourite character is Nandi because she has an immense passion to go and see her family on the other side of the world. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy travelling.
Good story. But I think it wasn’t the best book I’ve read. :)
Reminded me in some ways of Maria’s Island. I didn’t like the dual timeline narrative and wanted to know more about the life of the Grear Aunt and was less interested in the modern day child protagonist.
Another modern classic from Michael Morpurgo. A magical fantasy adventure story about a young girl travelling from Australia to Greece to visit her Grandmother. While there, she meets a Greek God who tells her about her Grandmother's resistance during World War Two. Modern elements are added towards the end with mention of the pollution of oceans and Syrian refugees. These are balanced with the ancient in the main character's love of Greek mythology
