Some Kind of Hero

by James Kirkwood Jr.

After five years in a North Vietnamese prison camp, Eddie Keller returns to an unfamiliar America, where he struggles to survive a shattered marriage, unemployment, and growing anger and desperation

Genres: Fiction, War

294 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

James Kirkwood, Jr. was an American playwright and author born in Los Angeles, California. His father, James Kirkwood, Sr. was an actor and director in silent films and his mother was actress Lila Lee. He died in 1989 of spinal cancer.

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken captive and held for five years as a POW in Vietnam, Eddie, in his early twenties when captured, recounts his years of incarceration and the period following his release and return to the States. While held as a POW he develops a close attachment to his cell mate, Vin, and their plans for the future together with the prospect of eventually returning to his beautiful wife help sustain Eddie through that period. But events following his liberation turn out to be very different from his imaginings.

A story filled with believable characters and a complex plot, Some Kind of Hero piles on the tension as it builds towards its unpredictable conclusion. At times touching, at times very moving, by turns funny and cynical, often very frank, it is a captivating book, hard to put down. The relationship between Eddie and Vin is beautiful and heartbreaking, by contrast some of Eddie's exploits following his release border on the slap-stick. What is constant is the high standard of the writing; altogether an enthralling novel.

[Stephanie Pieck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, who wrote for television, delivers a novel in a conversational style that is by turns hilarious (a fart joke that lasts over a year), heart-breaking (the senselessness of the POW experience in Vietnam), and grittily honest (the fallout when two people who started a marriage together suddenly realize they don't know their partner at all). The protagonist is by turns introspective, clueless, and wise, particularly about himself and his connections to and judgments about other characters. Readers will probably learn a thing or two about humanity, but the lessons are so much fun that this book never feels like a tutorial. The best kind of novel!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book decades ago, a story about a Vietnam vet who suffered and lost friends in a POW camp and returned to find his wife in love with someone else and a daughter who doesn't know him. Sad and sweet in the way a Kirkwood novel is. I may go see if I can find it in a vintage store somewhere.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this a few times before and the story keeps bringing me back with a realistic portrayal of life as a Vietnam POW and the challenges he comes back to. For me, it's a little too explanatory at times as we head to the conclusion but I found it very enjoyable, especially compared to the too-brief 1982 movie based on it.

[Amanda Rhodes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love James kirkwood and the way he writes and creates such lovable characters you root for. Eddie Keller is no exception, a protagonist you root for who just keeps getting knocked down and still continues on. I also loved the humor!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Book about a man who joins the army, gets married and his wife is pregnant, but finds he is sent to Vietnam and becomes a POW. Then after it tells about the next month when out. Sort of unbelievable. I was interested in finishing the book but didn’t enjoy the end events.

[George Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1981. Vietnam veteran return to a shattered marriage, unemployment and growing anger. Later a Richard Pryor film.

[David Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this years ago when I was tormented by my own thoughts regarding my sexuality. It comforted me and made me laugh out loud (on a crowded bus, no doubt) and the funny thing about it is I can only remember one character’s name - the mouse, Spike, he befriends while in a prison camp.

I bought the book recently, and it’s in my growing pile of books to (re)read this spring and summer.

It was the first Kirkwood novel I read, found on the mid-70’s Rack I would purchase mostly horror books from, but there was something about this book that called to me, and made me purchase and read it.

They made this book into a dreadful film with Richard Pryor as the lead, when it was a Caucasian in the book. The film should not be watched ever before reading this book.

I ventured forward in to Kirkwood’s novels after reading this one, and how it spoke to me. P.S. Your Cat is Dead is hilarious. There Must Be a Pony and Good Times/Bad Times, both coming of age stories - with a gay protagonist helped me through the torment I was feeling in my mid-teens. For that, I am forever grateful to James Kirkwood. Besides, he’s a great writer! Indulge.

[Sahara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was definitely a fast read.

Not my type of book but I enjoyed it anyway.

This book is about a Vietnam vet. The book is separated into 3 parts. Nam, coming home, and the aftermath of coming home. This author has a way of writing about serious and depressing topics but with humor. I found myself laughing during many parts of this book.

I truly enjoyed it. I would not have picked this book up if it wasnt for a friend recommending this author.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read in sometime in my 20's or early 30's most likely. I think there was a movie based on it.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another incredible tale of unlikely friendship from Kirkwood...

[Francine · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you expect from Kirkwood, a fun but also quite touching tale. Ran out of steam somewhere in Part III.

[Rdb]

Read 28 pages.

[Sammy Sultan · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous book