Heroes

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Disappointing - Rated
I studied this book at GCSE level, and was honestly disappointed.
It's basic plot is fairly good, but how it is put across is much lacking in style and is often quite boring.
At only 96 pages it is a short, quick read, and that is in it's favour in this case, as it prevents the style from dragging.
It is understandable that it may be written in such a way as it is aimed specifically at teenagers, but as someone who reads a lot in that age group, I found it sub-standard.
The plot at times is quite predictable, such as the relationship between Larry LaSalle and Nicole Renard, although others find it not so.
It deals well with the idea of heroes and heroism itself, and reminds how we must always look below the surface at an action. The character 'Larry' comes outwith the most thought-provoking statement of the entire text, and it is a quote to look out for towards the end, if you do purchase the book.
Overall, given the choice I porbably wouldn't buy the book on my own terms, but it's plot does make a good thinking point on the subject matter.

An interesting take on the word 'hero' and what it means to us. - Rated
I have to admit that I'm not the target audience for this book (being forty something) but that's certainly not stopped me enjoying other books aimed at teenagers. This however, whilst keeping my interest, isn't one of my favourites although it IS thought provoking.

The story highlights the innocence of youth and how impotent we can be when we're young. Our emotions and feelings can be confusing during those teenage years and this particular story highlights how some adults abuse the trust put in them.

The title of the book plays on the concept of what a hero is. Some people we admire and consider to be our heroes aren't heroes at all, they're weak and disappoint us...yet without them would we be the people we are? Others are more ordinary in our eyes and we don't always consider them to be heroic...but are they the real heroes?

Even as an adult I had conflicting feelings about one of the main characters and one line in particular made me think.
"Does that one sin of mine wipe away all the good things?" Instinctively the answer is yes, yet it's a little more complex than that.

This is a sombre book which deals with the pain of growing up, guilt and disappointment. Although the ending cannot be described as uplifting and didn't end happily ever after as I think we instinctively would like sometimes - I like to think it was hopeful and that Francis went on to learn from his experiences and get over his guilt - the guilt he didn't deserve to carry.

'Heroes' - Rated
Francis Cassavant is a World War II hero, or so everyone believes. Only Francis knows that the act of heroism that destroyed his face and ruined his life was an attempt to kill him self. Now Francis has returned home to French town he has one purpose in life, one mission; to kill another War Hero; Larry La Salle, the charismatic youth leader who raped Francis' girlfriend years before.
My personal view on the book is very high. It's probably the best book that I have read. I thought it would be another boring book like some of the other stuff I have tried to read in the past. But as soon as we read the first chapter I was hooked. A book had never before had that effect on me. This book has really opened my eyes to how cool books are and I loved the way the Author builds up tension towards the end of each chapter. And then at the beginning of the next chapter it calms down and the tension drops.

A heart rendering tale of love and courage - Rated
BOOK REVIEW
'Heroes' by Robert Cormier

This book based on World War Two, and grips you right until the end.

The book begins by telling us about one soldier, Francis Cassavant (the main character), who was badly injured in the war and is receiving treatment in a hospital with lots of other soldiers. Francis an 18-year-old war veteran is returning home to Frenchtown to try to get back to normality and carry on with his life, but as we find out things are not as simple as that and Francis has a reason for going to war in the first place as he is trying to escape a certain past event. Frenchtown got its name as many of the people who live there are French immigrants and we hear of various references throughout the book about France, also many of the characters have French names.

Throughout the book we are told about a place called the 'wreck centre' where Francis spent most of his childhood and met a man called Larry LaSalle who also plays a vital part in the story. Francis went to a convent when he was a child and this is where he met his 'childhood sweetheart' Nicole Renard, who also attended the wreck centre. There are a lot of anecdotes in this book as most of the events discussed happened a long time ago and Francis is just trying to come to terms with them. It is almost as if while he has been at war time has stood still and now that he has returned home he has to put certain unfinished matters to rest and that he does. He revisits certain situations and goes to see certain people to put his mind at rest.

In my opinion this is a very gripping story, which captures even the coldest of hearts. Robert Cormier has an amazing ability to describe in detail certain situations, which creates a great deal of imagery. However, the one fault is that sometimes the story is hard to follow, as one chapter may be completely different from the previous. Overall I would rate this book at 8/10.

A fabulous read - Rated
Even though I am not a fan of Robert Cormier, I picked up this book expecting less than it was. It is a fabulous read for teenagers.Please read!!!