We love you John Thaw!!
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
Goodnight Mister Tom has been a fixture in my life since I was young. I think in fact I actually watched the 1998 TV adaptation (starring a perfect John Thaw – hence my weird sub-title) before I read the book, but I can’t be TOO sure. It’s all kind of blurred now but one thing I am sure about is that I’m definitely not alone in my appreciation for the story.
But for those of you who might be unfamiliar (SAY WHAT), Goodnight Mister Tom is a children’s novel that was published in 1981 and tells the story of William ‘Willie’ Beech, a London evacuee who, during World War 2, is evacuated to a small village in the country. He is placed under the care of a gruff but kindly local whom William grows to call ‘Mister Tom’ (Tom Oakley to everyone else).
When William first turns up on Tom’s doorstep, he is a very nervous and scared child. Plus illiterate, covered in bruises and god fearing. Tom, a widower and loner, doesn’t really know what to make of him, but tries to make him comfortable. It is apparent early on that though Tom is gruff and short tempered, he is also kind. For example when William first arrives, Tom asks him to hang his coat up but William is unable to reach the coat peg. Tom decides to himself that he will put in a lower peg ‘for the boy’ and asks William to draw a dot where he would like the peg to be. It is small, but thoughtful gestures like this that gradually help William to realise he can trust the ‘strange old man’.
Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months – William begins to flourish. He has learnt to read, discovered a talent for painting, gained in confidence and made new friends. But of course, good things often come to an end and just after William has starred in the school production of A Christmas Carol – he gets a letter from his mother back in London, saying she wants him home. And trust me, that’s nothing good. His mother is HORRIBLE.
Though Goodnight Mister Tom is really a book intended for children, it has always been popular with adults as well – and quite rightfully so. In 1998, Carlton Television made an adaptation (JOHN THAW!!!) that was really well received and (dare I say) perhaps even more popular than the book. And seriously, I know I’ve droned on about this one a lot already but no-one could have played it better than John Thaw. NO-ONE!!!!!
So if you’ve never read or watched Goodnight Mister Tom I would implore you to do so soon and it’s usually (always) on at Christmas. It’s the kind of story we can all relate to – any nationality, any age, any background. It’s a story that symbolises the simplest yet most important of our human traits – kindness. And it’s a bloody good one.
emmakwall (explains it all) 
Excellent work Emma, I remember watching this as a kid and just being emotionally floored by it.
Oh brilliant Vinnie!! I’m so glad you’re a fan too 🙂 I love Goodnight Mister Tom!
Every time I see it, I’m in bits.
Me too!
Even though that it will make me cry I am desperate to read it. It’s sounds amazing
It will make you cry! Tears of sadness and happiness 🙂
But it is a lovely book (and it has a happy ending!)
I hope you get a copy and read it!
Thank you so much for popping by!! 🙂
Love this book and the film adaptation. I read the book first, in school, then found the film on television a few years later. Absolutely emotional read.
Very emotional, I read it again recently and still my eyes filled up with tears!
Thanks for popping by 🙂 Merry Christmas!
It gets me every time! My pleasure. Merry christmas to yu as well 🙂
And a happy new year to you 🙂
I actually watched the adaption on TV a few days after we exchanged these comments! (I cried!)
And to you! Youve inspired me to find a copy and rewatch it. Ive not seen it in years. Tissues at the ready! Lol
Excellent!! Do you ever use ITV iplayer online? Just th inking it was on ITV over Xmas, maybe they have it on there!
It’s so good 🙂 I wish they’d made it a bit longer though and kept more of the original story. BUt it’s still excellent. I forgot how sweet Zach (“short for Zacharias”) was 🙂
I do! I will have a look this afternoon and see if it is on there. Thanks for the tip!
Yeah more of the original story would have been good. Zach is adirable. I love him! 🙂
Ooh I hope it’s on there! For you to watch of course 🙂 but…also thinking I wouldn’t mind watching it again!!
Isn’t he just 🙂 so lovely (so sad!!!!!!!!!)
actually never heard of this. I’ll ad it to my watchlist.
Thanks Em!
BTW, did u get my email the other day?
Thanks Rob 🙂 I reckon you’ll like it.
How are you? Merry Christmas!!!
No I didn’t get it I don’t think? 😦 😦 resend!!
just resent!
tell me if u got it.
happy holidays to u too!
Rob
Thanks Rob 🙂
responded. make sure u got it pls
Rob
just watched it yesterday and enjoyed it. just posted my review. thanks for the recommendation!
Ah brilliant!!!! I will check it out now 🙂
Drat! This is NOT on Netflix. It sounds like one of those Christmas season movies we Yanks love, that tug at the heartstrings–like Miracle on 34th St. or It’s a Wonderful Life. I’ll have to keep looking.
I really appreciate your title, but I don’t think we need to be so formal. Just Tom would do. But, if you insist, then Goodnight, Ms. Emma. I think I hear David Bowie calling (“Ground control to Major Tom”)
Unfortunately Netflix doesn’t seem to have a great selection of Christmas movies overall 😦
Ohhh 😦
Is Lacey excited? 🙂
She’s stalking the Christmas Tree! I had to put her presents on top of a table because she kept trying to get into them. Did you get our cards?
Yes I have! I have yet to view them sorry Kim, I will do today 🙂 very sweet of you and Lacey 🙂
Haha! That really made me laugh MISTER Tom 🙂 and now I’m also listening to a shaky David Bowie voice in my head “ground control to Major Tom” (you know the voice I mean!)
How are you? Sorry I’ve not been in touch much recently, Merry Christmas!!!
Yes I hope you do manage to watch it 🙂 I was thinking if it’s on TV over Christmas, it would be on the channel ITV who have an iplayer of catch-up shows, perhaps I could send you the link and see if you can watch it? There are no licence laws with ITV as it’s paid for by adverts so pretty sure you could watch it anywhere. I will see!!! Merry Christmas MISTER / MAJOR Tom
And Merry Christmas to you, Ms. Emma. I’m sure I can count on you to continue to explain it all after the New Year, or as my ancestors would say, Hogmanay.
Of course you can count on me!
Merry Christmas and a Happy Hogmanay Tom 🙂
Pen,
I don’t want to do any crying.
Pen
Hey Pen! Long time no speak, sorry I have been inundated with important tasks (work and sleeping and flu)
Hope you’re well? I know you don’t like tissues for crying. (sorry!)
Merry Christmas Pen 🙂
Hi Pen!
I know!! I’ve missed you! I’m doing OK over here. Sorry you’ve been sick. I’m sure you went through lots of tissues.
Merry Christmas Pen!
Glad you’re okay, missed you too. You know me! Tissues aplenty 🙂
Merry Christmas Pen 🙂
This will make me cry. And I think for that reason I have avoided it. Although I do love a bit of John Thaw. I have heard so many good things about this over the years and can see how it can stay with somebody for a very long time.
It will make you cry!! That is very true. John Thaw was amazing wasn’t he, when you think of his different roles from The Sweeney to Morse. It’s a brilliant story and it DOES have a happy ending….if you can take the sad bits in-between 🙂
Merry Christmas!
But the happy bits will make me cry and so will the sad 😦 i do like John Thaw he was amazing as Morse, and Reagan. Merry Christmas to you also.
I can’t decide who I like more – Morse or Reagan! I know who my grandad would choose 🙂
Very true…you’d need a big box of tissues!!!
I really do need to read/watch this. First I’ll have to get a few boxes of tissue though.
Definitely! Agreed 🙂
You’d love it though, I know you would!