Alone on a Wide Wide Sea

How far would you go to find yourself? The lyrical, life-affirming novel from the nation’s favourite storyteller

‘Michael Morpurgo’s best book in years’ Observer

When six-year-old Arthur is shipped to Australia after the Second World War, he loses everything he knows. Subjected to brutal hardship on a working farm before finding a home with the eccentric Aunty Megs, Arthur is eventually called back to the sea.

Now Arthur has built a yacht for his daughter, Allie, who is determined to sail to England to find her father’s long-lost sister. Will love stretch across time and oceans and reveal how Arthur’s life began?

'Lyrical and moving, it is one of the former Children's Laureate's best books for years' The Times

'His best book in years… I was completely hooked' The Observer Review

'A powerful story' The Guardian Children's Books Supplement

‘Executed with Morpurgo’s distinctive flair. His language remains beautifully clean and clear’ Waterstones Books Quarterly

'[A] very satisfying read… The masterful writing makes the characters come to life on the page… I'm recommending this to adult friends as well as teenagers' Books for Keeps

'Michael Morpurgo strikes gold… this is a life-rewarding novel' Angels & Urchins

'This is storytelling at its best' Primary Times

'Incredibly moving, harrowing and completely unputdownable. A first class story that brings history alive' My Child magazine

'Completely unputdownable' Families Magazine

Sir Michael Morpurgo OBE FRSL FKC DL is a writer, playwright, performer and librettist. The author of more than 150 children’s books, he has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and in almost 40 languages. A former teacher and vocal spokesperson for the benefits of reading for pleasure, he is currently the President of Book Trust. Between 2003–2005 he was Children’s Laureate and in 2018 he was knighted for services to literature and charity. Many of Michael’s books have been adapted for stage and screen, including the phenomenal National Theatre adaptation of War Horse, which has been seen by over 10 million people in over 100 cities around the world, broke the West End record for weekly ticket sales, and won 5 Tony Awards and 2 Olivier Awards. Michael is also the co-founder, with his wife Clare, of the charity Farms for City Children.

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