Dear Olly cover art

Dear Olly

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Dear Olly

By: Michael Morpurgo
Narrated by: Paul McGann
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About this listen

Read by Paul McGann, ‘Dear Olly’ was written by Michael Morpurgo in 2000.
A stunning performance and narrative.

Ollie’s brother wants to go and work with children who have been made orphans, through war, in Africa. He wants to be a clown and make them laugh. His mother and sister want him to stay in England and go to university.

Hero, a swallow, has a journey to make too. He must fly to Africa for the winter to join all the other swallows. His journey is difficult and fraught with danger.

Three separate stories are woven into one powerful and moving novel whose central theme exposes the horrors of war and of landmines, but also the endurance of the human spirit.

 Geography & Cultures Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Historical Fiction Literature & Fiction Fiction Africa

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All stars
Most relevant
The best book I have ever read it was fantastic I really liked. I loved it!!!!!!!!👌👌👌👌👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏

The Best Book 👍👍👍👍

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I rated Dear Olly five stars because it really reached inside me and made me feel like I was one of the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who is between 9 years and 15 years. I hope anyone who listens to this book enjoys it as much as I did.

Dear Olly

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Where does Dear Olly rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I haven't listened to many audiobooks for younger readers (although I'm working my way through the Narnia series) but the characterisation is superb and concise, within a short format.

What other book might you compare Dear Olly to, and why?

I would like to suggest it's thematically similar to other Michael Morpurgo books (although I've only read War Horse) in that human and animal characters are treated with the same degree of respect and dignity to create a memorable and thought provoking scenario. Narratively, it reminded me a little bit of the recent Comic Relief-inspired drama on TV, 'Mary and Martha'.

Have you listened to any of Paul McGann’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have not, but his vocal styling - authoritative yet empathetic - suits the material well, and maintains the listener's focus.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I found the character portraits at the beginning absorbing; the clash of ambitions, lifestyles, between parents and children; those in middle age and those just starting out, which anyone can relate to - and this made me want to keep listening to discover Olly's fate, which I feared wouldn't be good.

Any additional comments?

Has inspired me to purchase several Michael Morpurgo books for my nephew as his handling of difficult themes is sensitive and realistic, as well as entertaining.

Well read, original

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