Michael Auping

Advantages: Good storyline that stays interesting
Disadvantages: None

...Another fine piece of literature from Michael Morpurgo. This book is apparently aimed at year 6 but I find that Michael Morpurgo just writes such great stories that 2 or three years below would enjoy it. This book is about a boy (Michael) , his Mum and Dad who, due to unemployment, decide to sell up, buy a boat and sail around the world. Michael falls over board with his dog and is marooned on an island. With no evident water or food supply Michael is certain he will die until he discovers a bowl of water and some fish, clearly left for him. The story then bases itself about Michael's relationship with Kensuke (an old Japanese man) and how he has managed to survive for long on the island alone and why he chooses to stay when all Michael wants to do is light a fire to summon help......much to Kensuke's horror. Why is Kensuke so... Read review

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Advantages: Mystery makes the book an interesting read
Disadvantages: Aimed at children

...Author:Michael Morpurgo, a British author who was born in 1943, growing up in wartime London. He held the title of children's laurerate from 2003-2005. Kensuke's Kingdom is one of his favourite books out of the books he himself has written. Kensuke's Kingdom: The book was published in 1982. Although it was written for children, it was also well received by adults, increasing its popularity. Although it is not the most successful book by Morpurgo, it is one which is often used at school level. Plot: Michael's parents take him away from his school, his friends and his life after his father buys a boat called the Peggy Sue. Alongside his parents and his loyal dog, Stella Artois, the family decide to travel around the world. During a storm in the Pacific Ocean, Michael and his dog are washed overboard. When they awake, they discover... Read review

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Advantages: It's a page turner
Disadvantages: some academic patches slow the story

...The best win I've had with a short story competition involved the tale of a man who was treated with nanobots - tiny machines that could fix his brain at a microscopic level. Here it is if you fancy a quick read: http://www.orangelabyrinth.co.uk/web.php?id=749 Michael Crichton also writes about nanotechnology in his novel 'Prey' but in a fuller and much better developed story. It is common in SF novels that the reader is invited to look at the marvels of modern technology not in an admiring way, but in terms of its pitfalls. That’s what I did in my story, ‘Has the Moon lost her Memory?’ and that’s exactly what happens in this book. Many years ago I used to debate with a friend who was an engineer the possibility of AI leading to intelligent, self-acting robots and he dismissed the idea. Also at that time a computer... Read review

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