Book Review: Pierre and His Friends
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Pierre and His Friends
Book Author: W.G. Vandehulst
Review Author: Leigh
Armadale Free Reformed Church
Pro Ecclesia Bookshop
Pierre and His Friends by WG Vandehulst
W.G Vandehulst’s stories are so wonderfully timeless. His characters are simple people who with their flaws and struggles, feel very real. I love the way his stories share truths about who God is and what it means to live as a Christian in a simple way without feeling forced or artificial.
Vandehulst, who wrote more than ninety-five children's books, considered 'Pierre and His Friends' to be his best and most beautiful book: the story of a Flemish boy who loses both legs during the violence of war, flees with his grandfather to the Netherlands and always has to lie in bed, but is happy when the boys who often play in front of his window become his friends.
If I had only seen the cover and read the blurb, this is not a book I would have chosen to bring home, but I chose to trust Vanderhulst’s gift of storytelling, and I am so thankful that I did.
Throughout the story, we’re introduced to six characters; Pierre, who lives with his grandfather, and Davey, Josh, Frank and Charlie. The four boys are good friends who spend their time playing and exploring. The boys meet Pierre and overcome their initial discomfort in being friends with someone who is sick, and they choose to be compassionate, going out of their way to involve Pierre in their play.
The storytelling is phenomenal; it moves at a slow pace, taking the time to give a sense of the stillness and peace that Pierre felt looking out of his window at the old buildings, the water and his friends the animals, along the canal. As beautiful as the story is, it was a little heartbreaking, and I found myself fighting tears while I read the story aloud to my children. Through the grandfather’s reflections and struggle with forgiveness, we find out how Pierre was injured. Towards the end of the story, Pierre dies, and though it is sad, we are reminded of God’s promise of life eternal, free from the pain and affliction of this world.
'Davey didn’t understand it; it looked like joy and grief at the same time. Then the old head with the white beard and white hair nodded very slowly, and the voice spoke very softly, “Yes, my boy, your friend is dead.”'
'War and fighting are horrible. The story of the boy, the reality was horrible too. And he had been such a nice boy. If only he were alive! But no. He was in heaven now. No, it wasn’t horrible to be dead.'
W.G. Vandehulst is a Dutch children’s author whose books have been translated into English and are available in Pro Ecclesia. If you have children in your home or children who visit and do not have one of his treasures yet, you should get onto it right away.' Pierre and His Friends' is recommended for ages 10+, but I enjoyed reading it aloud and discussing what we read, one chapter at a time, with our seven-year-old.
Leigh Amoraal, Armadale
This book review was organised by Pro Ecclesia Bookshop in conjunction with Women’s League. This book is available from Pro Ecclesia bookshop, Armadale; Providence Christian books, Albany; (and Rockingham on request).