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Heroes
Francis Joseph Cassavant is eighteen. He has just returned home from the Second World War, and he has no face. He does have a gun and a mission: to murder his childhood hero.
Francis lost most of his face when he fell on a grenade in France. He received the Silver Star for bravery, but was it really an act of heroism? Now, having survived, he is looking for a man he once admired and respected, a man adored by many people, a man who also received a Silver Star for bravery. A man who destroyed Francis's life
Francis lost most of his face when he fell on a grenade in France. He received the Silver Star for bravery, but was it really an act of heroism? Now, having survived, he is looking for a man he once admired and respected, a man adored by many people, a man who also received a Silver Star for bravery. A man who destroyed Francis's life
Unknown Binding
First published August 10, 1998
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About the author
Robert Cormier
55 books634 followersRobert Edmund Cormier (January 17, 1925–November 2, 2000) was an American author, columnist and reporter, known for his deeply pessimistic, downbeat literature. His most popular works include I Am the Cheese, After the First Death, We All Fall Down and The Chocolate War, all of which have won awards. The Chocolate War was challenged in multiple libraries. His books often are concerned with themes such as abuse, mental illness, violence, revenge, betrayal and conspiracy. In most of his novels, the protagonists do not win.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 463 reviews
July 24, 2015
I hate it
I hate this book
This book is ruining my life
I don't want to write essays on these boring characters
Just give me an F for English Rn and don't make me sit this exam *super stressed crying*
I hate this book
This book is ruining my life
I don't want to write essays on these boring characters
Just give me an F for English Rn and don't make me sit this exam *super stressed crying*
January 9, 2016
Like many others on this website, I had to read this novel in my English Literature Class. At the time, I thought it was great. The synopsis made the novel sound promising, intriguing and full of potential. Mostly, I was just glad it wasn't written by Shakespeare.
I went into this book with expectations. Francis would kill Larry LaSalle - that was a given. Francis continuously told himself that as soon as Larry LaSalle moved back into Frenchtown, he would shoot him. And then Francis didn't. He couldn't bring himself to. Francis only wanted to kill the part of LaSalle that had ruined his and Nicole's childhood. However, as soon as you met Francis, you knew he simply wouldn't be able to carry out his plan. Emotionally, Francis was quite feeble and Francis loved Larry LaSalle. There was no mistaking that Larry LaSalle was Francis' hero.
Before, I felt that Francis not killing Larry was a slight let down but now I realise that not every book needs a plot twist to be great. I don't think Robert Cormier wanted this novel to be exciting and intriguing - I think he would have wanted it to be thought-provoking and it is! I could argue that the book was anti-climatic but I wasn't disappointed when Francis wouldn't shoot Larry. I felt that Larry had got his deserved fate when he lost his legs because it meant he could no longer be the Larry LaSalle he was (strutting about like Fred Astaire and with an air of self-confidence) and LaSalle is described as a shadow of who he used to be.
One thing I admired in this book was the complex characters and the theme of what makes a hero. None of the characters were stereotypes and each character had committed good deeds and bad deeds making them neither angelic or evil. There is a fine line between what it means to be a good or bad person and Cormier showed us just how blurred the line can be. Larry asks a question near to the end of the book that captures the book's central theme perfectly, "Does that one sin of mine wipe away all the good things?".
However, something I would point out is that some people seemed to have misinterpreted the narratives of the three different time periods. Also, the majority of my English Lit class didn't enjoy this book as they had expected it to be intense. If you are looking for an action-packed book, this is probably not for you. The most fast-paced scene was the table-tennis match.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. I think it deserves 3.5 stars but as I couldn't give it that, I've given it 4 stars because it definitely leans more towards four than three on the star spectrum. Thanks for reading!
I went into this book with expectations. Francis would kill Larry LaSalle - that was a given. Francis continuously told himself that as soon as Larry LaSalle moved back into Frenchtown, he would shoot him. And then Francis didn't. He couldn't bring himself to. Francis only wanted to kill the part of LaSalle that had ruined his and Nicole's childhood. However, as soon as you met Francis, you knew he simply wouldn't be able to carry out his plan. Emotionally, Francis was quite feeble and Francis loved Larry LaSalle. There was no mistaking that Larry LaSalle was Francis' hero.
Before, I felt that Francis not killing Larry was a slight let down but now I realise that not every book needs a plot twist to be great. I don't think Robert Cormier wanted this novel to be exciting and intriguing - I think he would have wanted it to be thought-provoking and it is! I could argue that the book was anti-climatic but I wasn't disappointed when Francis wouldn't shoot Larry. I felt that Larry had got his deserved fate when he lost his legs because it meant he could no longer be the Larry LaSalle he was (strutting about like Fred Astaire and with an air of self-confidence) and LaSalle is described as a shadow of who he used to be.
One thing I admired in this book was the complex characters and the theme of what makes a hero. None of the characters were stereotypes and each character had committed good deeds and bad deeds making them neither angelic or evil. There is a fine line between what it means to be a good or bad person and Cormier showed us just how blurred the line can be. Larry asks a question near to the end of the book that captures the book's central theme perfectly, "Does that one sin of mine wipe away all the good things?".
However, something I would point out is that some people seemed to have misinterpreted the narratives of the three different time periods. Also, the majority of my English Lit class didn't enjoy this book as they had expected it to be intense. If you are looking for an action-packed book, this is probably not for you. The most fast-paced scene was the table-tennis match.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. I think it deserves 3.5 stars but as I couldn't give it that, I've given it 4 stars because it definitely leans more towards four than three on the star spectrum. Thanks for reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2014
It's amazing that the heart makes no noise when it cracks.
Francis Joseph Cassavant is 18 years old, and has just returned to his hometown of Monument in Massachusetts from the French trenches of World War 2. He has no face - he lost most of it in the war, and covers the bandaged remains with a scarf. Francis returned to Monument to find Larry LaSalle, a man loved by the community and one whom Francis deeply respected and admired, now also a war veteran - and like Francis, a Silver Star hero. However, Francis did not return to Monument to pay his respects - in his duffel bag he carries a loaded gun, and intends to murder his idol when he sees him.
Through a series of flashbacks, Francis slowly reveals his story: how hew grow up in Monument as a shy, uncertain boy, until he met LaSalle - a dedicated director of the town's recreation center. LaSalle is using his own abilities to help others develop their own, and teaches young Francis to play table tennis. Francis proves to be quite adept at the sport and eventually becomes the town's champion, and for the first time is popular and confident - he's sure enough of himself to ask out the new girl, Nicole Renard, who has just moved to town.
So how could things go so tragically wrong? This is the central mystery and driving force of the novel, and I don't aim to spoil it. Heroes is, typically for Cormier, a very dark book about obsession, the nature and thin line between heroism and cowardice, and the almost unquestionable worship we give to those whom we perceive to be heroic. Whom do we heroize, and why? Is Francis a hero, and is Larry LaSalle? This is a great book for older and younger readers alike as it provides plenty of opportunity for discussion on these important topics - it is remarkably complex despite its shortness, and I'm not surprised to learn that it's been included on the GCSE curricula. Recommended reading not only for Cormier fans.
Francis Joseph Cassavant is 18 years old, and has just returned to his hometown of Monument in Massachusetts from the French trenches of World War 2. He has no face - he lost most of it in the war, and covers the bandaged remains with a scarf. Francis returned to Monument to find Larry LaSalle, a man loved by the community and one whom Francis deeply respected and admired, now also a war veteran - and like Francis, a Silver Star hero. However, Francis did not return to Monument to pay his respects - in his duffel bag he carries a loaded gun, and intends to murder his idol when he sees him.
Through a series of flashbacks, Francis slowly reveals his story: how hew grow up in Monument as a shy, uncertain boy, until he met LaSalle - a dedicated director of the town's recreation center. LaSalle is using his own abilities to help others develop their own, and teaches young Francis to play table tennis. Francis proves to be quite adept at the sport and eventually becomes the town's champion, and for the first time is popular and confident - he's sure enough of himself to ask out the new girl, Nicole Renard, who has just moved to town.
So how could things go so tragically wrong? This is the central mystery and driving force of the novel, and I don't aim to spoil it. Heroes is, typically for Cormier, a very dark book about obsession, the nature and thin line between heroism and cowardice, and the almost unquestionable worship we give to those whom we perceive to be heroic. Whom do we heroize, and why? Is Francis a hero, and is Larry LaSalle? This is a great book for older and younger readers alike as it provides plenty of opportunity for discussion on these important topics - it is remarkably complex despite its shortness, and I'm not surprised to learn that it's been included on the GCSE curricula. Recommended reading not only for Cormier fans.
January 29, 2012
This is another one of those books which my son brought home from school, apparently it is part of his GCSE English curriculum. I wasn't really looking forward to it and I was thinking it was just going to be a war thiller.
Francis has come home from WW2 after suffering a horrendous disfigurement. He has his face covered in bandages and a scarf and goes back to the town where he grew up. Where other war veterans are thinking of ways to get their lives back together, Francis has other things on his mind. In his duffel bag is a gun and he has to use it on somebody.
This, my seventh read of the year, is a remarkable book, short and light but it packs an emotional punch.The story captures you from the start and we are left second guessing what is going to happen all the way through.It is brilliantly written and easily read.
There are some books that just grab you emotionally and this is one of them.
I was pretty amazed that the author Robert Cormier wrote this in his seventies and only got published in his forties. Bloody hell there's hope for me after all !
A pleasure to read 5/5
Incidentally my son wasn't too impressed, he didn't really like the ending. Having a 16 year old son is not easy at times and it was just good to have something to talk to him about ! Maybe I should buy him a few books.
Francis has come home from WW2 after suffering a horrendous disfigurement. He has his face covered in bandages and a scarf and goes back to the town where he grew up. Where other war veterans are thinking of ways to get their lives back together, Francis has other things on his mind. In his duffel bag is a gun and he has to use it on somebody.
This, my seventh read of the year, is a remarkable book, short and light but it packs an emotional punch.The story captures you from the start and we are left second guessing what is going to happen all the way through.It is brilliantly written and easily read.
There are some books that just grab you emotionally and this is one of them.
I was pretty amazed that the author Robert Cormier wrote this in his seventies and only got published in his forties. Bloody hell there's hope for me after all !
A pleasure to read 5/5
Incidentally my son wasn't too impressed, he didn't really like the ending. Having a 16 year old son is not easy at times and it was just good to have something to talk to him about ! Maybe I should buy him a few books.
February 6, 2017
I really enjoyed this book by Cormier - The dark theme that runs through the book is quite haunting.
The book starts with the protagonist, Francis Cassavant describing his injuries and how his face is disfigured from injuries after returning home from the war. He returns a hero, although he hides his identity as he has mission to enact a plan to the kill the man who only he knows of his evil.
The story moves back to before the war when Larry Lasalle arrives in Frenchtown and is loved by everyone. He has a style about him that everyone admires. There is however something that Larry tries to hide from them all, but in his weakness fails to control himself, and here the dark theme and his morality is eventually revealed. Larry then leaves the town to fight for his country and becomes a war hero as well as Francis.
Eventually Francis confronts Larry and his true nature is revealed. This is an extremely moving story, with a strong theme of deception and how someone's image can hide a multitude of sins. This is a great book that raising a lot of questions.
The book starts with the protagonist, Francis Cassavant describing his injuries and how his face is disfigured from injuries after returning home from the war. He returns a hero, although he hides his identity as he has mission to enact a plan to the kill the man who only he knows of his evil.
The story moves back to before the war when Larry Lasalle arrives in Frenchtown and is loved by everyone. He has a style about him that everyone admires. There is however something that Larry tries to hide from them all, but in his weakness fails to control himself, and here the dark theme and his morality is eventually revealed. Larry then leaves the town to fight for his country and becomes a war hero as well as Francis.
Eventually Francis confronts Larry and his true nature is revealed. This is an extremely moving story, with a strong theme of deception and how someone's image can hide a multitude of sins. This is a great book that raising a lot of questions.
January 20, 2015
A serious well written YA novel exploring the nature of heroism, set in post WW2 USA but managing to retain a timeless quality.
Francis Cassavant returns to Frenchtown a reluctant war veteran and suffering from serious facial wounds. Unlike other veterans who are stuck in a limbo neither acknowledging their experiences nor moving on, Francis has a purpose which he hides from the community, along with his identity. The truth will reveal why he volunteered to fight.
The split narrative follows Francis' pre and post war identity. There is a touch of Gatsby in the attractive, mysterious figure of LaSalle who shines in the depression hit community and a clever intertwining of trust and betrayal throughout the novel. An extremely well paced and tightly written narrative which is cleverly set in the 1930s and 1040s, but which retains a timeless element.
Francis Cassavant returns to Frenchtown a reluctant war veteran and suffering from serious facial wounds. Unlike other veterans who are stuck in a limbo neither acknowledging their experiences nor moving on, Francis has a purpose which he hides from the community, along with his identity. The truth will reveal why he volunteered to fight.
The split narrative follows Francis' pre and post war identity. There is a touch of Gatsby in the attractive, mysterious figure of LaSalle who shines in the depression hit community and a clever intertwining of trust and betrayal throughout the novel. An extremely well paced and tightly written narrative which is cleverly set in the 1930s and 1040s, but which retains a timeless element.
February 5, 2014
Only had one interesting chapter in the entire book and the ending was a huge anti-climax. Would not recommend this book because it is no where near as exciting as the blurb may suggest. Mostly goes on about how embarrassed he is about his ruined face well for that he should have gone on embarrassing bodies instead of ranting on about through out the entire book.
July 11, 2025
I can't. I just can't. I had to read this for school. Now I want to die. Here ya go, 💀
FRANCIS: i hate him. Dude your gf is getting raped?! Do something!!! He be like 'my heart is breaking' your heart?! Your not the one who just got raped by a pedo!
LARRY: wtf?! Why you raping Francis gf?! 'Sweet young things' made me want to throw up.
NICOLE: reasonable character? Is that you? At last!! She's so under developed tho. Francis and Larry got these big back stories, but Nicole?! Nothing. She got nothing. Her story is only told through the eyes of the other characters when she arguably had the most interesting one yet.
Anyways... now that I'm done raging I can safely say that this book is the source of my depression. I swear every character talks about killing themselves at least once, and only the rapist-pedo actually did. Having said this, it gets the generous 2 stars because as much as I despised a lot of the themes... and the characters... it was tolerable and gave me a lot of things to analyse for my exams coming up, so thanks I guess.
⭐️⭐️
Abis review- I LOVE THIS BOOK I KNEW LARRY WAS EVIL FROM THE BEIGING THIS BOOK MADE ME EXCITED TO COME TO ENGLISH ANS WAS MY SOURCE OF SADNESS PEAK SO PEAK 5 STARS I HATE TO RED BUT THIS NO THIS CHANGED MY VEIW NICOLE PLS UR MY QUUEN U DONT DESVRE THIS I WANT MORE ABOUT HER WHO SHE TRULY IS NOT FROM HOW FRANCIS SEES HER
FRANCIS: i hate him. Dude your gf is getting raped?! Do something!!! He be like 'my heart is breaking' your heart?! Your not the one who just got raped by a pedo!
LARRY: wtf?! Why you raping Francis gf?! 'Sweet young things' made me want to throw up.
NICOLE: reasonable character? Is that you? At last!! She's so under developed tho. Francis and Larry got these big back stories, but Nicole?! Nothing. She got nothing. Her story is only told through the eyes of the other characters when she arguably had the most interesting one yet.
Anyways... now that I'm done raging I can safely say that this book is the source of my depression. I swear every character talks about killing themselves at least once, and only the rapist-pedo actually did. Having said this, it gets the generous 2 stars because as much as I despised a lot of the themes... and the characters... it was tolerable and gave me a lot of things to analyse for my exams coming up, so thanks I guess.
⭐️⭐️
Abis review- I LOVE THIS BOOK I KNEW LARRY WAS EVIL FROM THE BEIGING THIS BOOK MADE ME EXCITED TO COME TO ENGLISH ANS WAS MY SOURCE OF SADNESS PEAK SO PEAK 5 STARS I HATE TO RED BUT THIS NO THIS CHANGED MY VEIW NICOLE PLS UR MY QUUEN U DONT DESVRE THIS I WANT MORE ABOUT HER WHO SHE TRULY IS NOT FROM HOW FRANCIS SEES HER
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2019
This is the worst book ever written. I had to read it with my Year 9s and this is the single least engaging book of all time. I felt bored while I was reading it with them. How many goddamn ping-pong descriptions can one man write? GOD.
April 17, 2023
why did i cry
January 28, 2021
More like 1.5
Not my taste and had to read it for uni.
Not my taste and had to read it for uni.
May 29, 2019
"It's amazing that the heart makes no noise when it cracks."
Heroes is a teen novel and is a story of Francis Joseph Cassavant, who at the age of eighteen has been horribly disfigured when he lost most of his face jumping on a grenade in France during WWII to save some of his fellow comrades. After a long rehabilitation in England he returns home to Frenchtown in Monument a hero, a recipient of a Silver Star for bravery, but also a man with a mission, to kill his own childhood hero, Larry LaSalle.
Francis gradually slowly his past and his motivation for murder leaving the reader wondering if Francis is punishing Larry for his misdeeds or himself for his own inaction?
As the title suggests the book questions about what constitutes true heroism. Both Francis and Larry have received the Silver Star medal for bravery in combat yet both also have an element of selfishness in their motivation. Larry joins the Marines, not in some noble effort to protect his nation and stop the atrocities that were happening in Europe but instead a lust for revenge after the attack on Pearl Harbour or as he puts it himself, not to let “the Japs get away with this.”
Similarly Larry gains his medal for capturing an enemy machine-gun nest in order to save the lives of his platoon. Although no doubt a brave act but in doing so he also saves his own life and as such could be equally regarded as a simple act of self-preservation. Whereas his rape of Nicole shows a tendency towards violence in and out of uniform.
Likewise when Francis throws himself onto a grenade, it appears to show a willingness to sacrifice his own life to save the lives of his comrades but later on he reveals that his real motivation was a way to committing suicide without disgracing his family. Thus his act of apparent selfless heroism hides a selfish action.
Ultimately both men are flawed, both carry out heroic acts for the wrong reasons. Thus Cormier questions whether 'true heroism' can ever truly exist. Is the notion fact or fiction? Yet he doesn't stop there. The rape of Nicole also seems to question the morality of of society's acceptance of actions carried out during war-time whilst in uniform against those perpetrated when out of it. Which rather begs the question, can might ever be right?
This is a relatively short novel, more of a novella in truth me known, and I read it in one sitting but don't let that fool you, it still has a surprisingly depth to it. The prose is vivid and not a word is wasted and there isn't some neat happy ending either. This is my first book by the author but I doubt if it will be my last.
Heroes is a teen novel and is a story of Francis Joseph Cassavant, who at the age of eighteen has been horribly disfigured when he lost most of his face jumping on a grenade in France during WWII to save some of his fellow comrades. After a long rehabilitation in England he returns home to Frenchtown in Monument a hero, a recipient of a Silver Star for bravery, but also a man with a mission, to kill his own childhood hero, Larry LaSalle.
Francis gradually slowly his past and his motivation for murder leaving the reader wondering if Francis is punishing Larry for his misdeeds or himself for his own inaction?
As the title suggests the book questions about what constitutes true heroism. Both Francis and Larry have received the Silver Star medal for bravery in combat yet both also have an element of selfishness in their motivation. Larry joins the Marines, not in some noble effort to protect his nation and stop the atrocities that were happening in Europe but instead a lust for revenge after the attack on Pearl Harbour or as he puts it himself, not to let “the Japs get away with this.”
Similarly Larry gains his medal for capturing an enemy machine-gun nest in order to save the lives of his platoon. Although no doubt a brave act but in doing so he also saves his own life and as such could be equally regarded as a simple act of self-preservation. Whereas his rape of Nicole shows a tendency towards violence in and out of uniform.
Likewise when Francis throws himself onto a grenade, it appears to show a willingness to sacrifice his own life to save the lives of his comrades but later on he reveals that his real motivation was a way to committing suicide without disgracing his family. Thus his act of apparent selfless heroism hides a selfish action.
Ultimately both men are flawed, both carry out heroic acts for the wrong reasons. Thus Cormier questions whether 'true heroism' can ever truly exist. Is the notion fact or fiction? Yet he doesn't stop there. The rape of Nicole also seems to question the morality of of society's acceptance of actions carried out during war-time whilst in uniform against those perpetrated when out of it. Which rather begs the question, can might ever be right?
This is a relatively short novel, more of a novella in truth me known, and I read it in one sitting but don't let that fool you, it still has a surprisingly depth to it. The prose is vivid and not a word is wasted and there isn't some neat happy ending either. This is my first book by the author but I doubt if it will be my last.
October 19, 2012
Robert Cormier wrote I Am the Cheese, which will forever be burned in my brain as it was a question at pub trivia that I got incorrect a few months back. As such, I made it a personal goal to read several of his books in the next year or two because 1. I hate getting questions wrong in pub trivia; 2. His books are supposed to be twisty and well-written (some are required in many high school curricula); and 3. Most importantly to me, they are very short. I immediately put Heroes on hold at the library when I read its blurb:
Francis Joseph Cassavant is eighteen. He has just returned home from the Second World War, and he has no face. He does have a gun and a mission: to murder his childhood hero.
Imagine you are sitting in a room with me right now. Now go ahead and look into my eyes and tell me that if you read a blurb about a soldier with no face coming back to his hometown to murder someone, you wouldn't be interested in picking the book up. You're a liar, that's jacket copy at its best. I am very confused about what this soldier looks like from the cover. Does the background image look like a woman to anyone else? Maybe it's the bangs? There is somehow a ton and yet nothing going on in this story. I don't want to ruin the motive behind his revenge plot but I will say that this book just feels bleak. I felt horrible that a naive kid joined the army, was seriously injured, and then returns to a town that's forgotten him, filled with other physically and mentally injured vets, and devoid of hope. Francis covers his entire face for the entirety so I never got a full idea of what he might look like but Cormier didn't play it down at all, instead (perhaps overly) mentioning the oozing crevices of Francis' face where his features used to be and the soaked-through bandages that filled with blood and pus. Heroes reads like a short story. It is a quick sketch of what one soldier's reasons were for joining the forces and how failing to act can haunt a person forever. In my opinion, the only reason to read this is the story. Those looking to get quotable quotes or flowery prose should just move along.
This mini-review was part of a series of 7 mini-reviews of short YA books I wrote for a post over at our blog, The Readventurer.
Francis Joseph Cassavant is eighteen. He has just returned home from the Second World War, and he has no face. He does have a gun and a mission: to murder his childhood hero.
Imagine you are sitting in a room with me right now. Now go ahead and look into my eyes and tell me that if you read a blurb about a soldier with no face coming back to his hometown to murder someone, you wouldn't be interested in picking the book up. You're a liar, that's jacket copy at its best. I am very confused about what this soldier looks like from the cover. Does the background image look like a woman to anyone else? Maybe it's the bangs? There is somehow a ton and yet nothing going on in this story. I don't want to ruin the motive behind his revenge plot but I will say that this book just feels bleak. I felt horrible that a naive kid joined the army, was seriously injured, and then returns to a town that's forgotten him, filled with other physically and mentally injured vets, and devoid of hope. Francis covers his entire face for the entirety so I never got a full idea of what he might look like but Cormier didn't play it down at all, instead (perhaps overly) mentioning the oozing crevices of Francis' face where his features used to be and the soaked-through bandages that filled with blood and pus. Heroes reads like a short story. It is a quick sketch of what one soldier's reasons were for joining the forces and how failing to act can haunt a person forever. In my opinion, the only reason to read this is the story. Those looking to get quotable quotes or flowery prose should just move along.
This mini-review was part of a series of 7 mini-reviews of short YA books I wrote for a post over at our blog, The Readventurer.
October 9, 2015
This book was interesting and I thought that the characters were well introduced as we are given a lot of information for such a short book but overall it just wasn't my cup of tea.
Francis signs up to become a soldier at the age of fifteen and is brutally injured when a bomb blows off his face. He returns home to Frenchtown and looks back on why he decided to fight for his country. Nicole his childhood sweetheart moved away from the town and he longs to find her again but it is hinted upon that something unsavoury happened between them. When it is revealed we see Francis go on a journey of revenge...
All of the characters in this book are well described and there was a lot of back story on each of them for such a short book. Francis wasn't a easily liked character as after the war he is portrayed as a bitter person who is stuck in the past. I liked how much he cared about Nicole, their relationship was sweet. Larry was intriguing, I would have liked to know more about him as I feel that he was putting on a show for Francis, whether that be by being overly dramatic or frightening. I liked the story behind the Wreck centre, the creepy wedding reception was a good back story.
I'm not much of a historical fiction person and I felt that this book was to short to connect with completely but it is well written. The ending wasn't the best, it was left to open and I can't help wanting to know what happens to Francis and if he ends up using that gun.
Francis signs up to become a soldier at the age of fifteen and is brutally injured when a bomb blows off his face. He returns home to Frenchtown and looks back on why he decided to fight for his country. Nicole his childhood sweetheart moved away from the town and he longs to find her again but it is hinted upon that something unsavoury happened between them. When it is revealed we see Francis go on a journey of revenge...
All of the characters in this book are well described and there was a lot of back story on each of them for such a short book. Francis wasn't a easily liked character as after the war he is portrayed as a bitter person who is stuck in the past. I liked how much he cared about Nicole, their relationship was sweet. Larry was intriguing, I would have liked to know more about him as I feel that he was putting on a show for Francis, whether that be by being overly dramatic or frightening. I liked the story behind the Wreck centre, the creepy wedding reception was a good back story.
I'm not much of a historical fiction person and I felt that this book was to short to connect with completely but it is well written. The ending wasn't the best, it was left to open and I can't help wanting to know what happens to Francis and if he ends up using that gun.
May 7, 2007
Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, come to think about it, perhaps I like it more than Chocolate War . . . completely changes your idea of how we think and define "heroes".
April 18, 2024
this was so bad i never want to read a book again
May 26, 2024
should have killed himself for the plot
December 14, 2024
look I actually think this is a good read, although my 16 year old self might disagree. it’s quick and surprisingly nuanced even though some of the exposition is dreadfully on the nose. reread your GCSE texts guys! they’re pretty good when you’re not forced to read them!
just sweeping Charls shelf before I head back up north
just sweeping Charls shelf before I head back up north
July 11, 2023
Humph. Read for school- interesting questions asked but again flawed human beings trying to sort out themselves. Sad.
October 21, 2025
This book is so gross it's just not needed
This makes me wanna punch myself in the face its so flipping boring
This makes me wanna punch myself in the face its so flipping boring
May 14, 2022
I fully understand the reason why Francis wants revenge, what did Larry was disgusting -
July 6, 2017
This book was the second of my GCSE texts. Given my prior enjoyment of 'Of Mice and Men' and my fondness for war books, I was quite looking forward to reading this, and dived eagerly into it straight away.
However, after that first reading, I came away disappointed- the book was not what I had expected at all.
Young soldier, Francis Cassavant, has just returned to Frenchtown after World War ll horribly maimed and disfigured.
With only the clothes on his back, and gun in his bag, Francis is set on his final mission- to find the man who betrayed him in his youth, and make him pay for what he did.
As the days pass in Frenchtown, Francis lives out the post-war period, reliving the days of his childhood as he waits for the return of another supposed hero.
As I mentioned above, when I first read this novella, I was expecting great things, and ultimately didn't think that I received them. I found myself bored, listless, the story tiresome and the characters flat. However, as is the nature of GCSE texts (and any other English Literature study texts, I should think) it's obligatory to read, re-read, and re-read again. You have to know your texts inside out, back to front, and any which way you can think of. And the more I read it, the more I realised that perhaps I had judged it too hastily. It wasn't bad at all- in fact, it was very, very good.
After a while, I could hardly believe that I had initially found the characters dull. I liked them all, especially Francis. It was told in first person, and whilst I'm aware that many writers employ this literary technique, this felt so personal. I almost felt like an intruder, as I followed all of Francis' separate journeys through different stages in his life, eavesdropping on his private thoughts and feelings, experiencing his self-doubt and rejection. I really sympathised with him, and on several occasions, I just wanted to step through the pages and give him a big hug.
I also really liked Nicole, up until a certain point. She wasn't to blame for what happened, and how she reacted, but her behaviour still irritated me. But, prior to that, she came across as a genuinely kind girl, who was very sweet to Francis.
I even liked Larry, to an extent, if 'like' is the right word. I thought he was an intensely interesting and complex character, and I could never quite make up my minds as to whether I admired him, felt sorry for him, or downright disliked him. Was he a victim or a villain? I am still undecided.
Just like 'Of Mice and Men', I thought that 'Heroes' was very clever, and it became more so to me the more times I read it. It was less the actual content, but the structure that made it so. There was the story of Francis's childhood, and his escapades with Larry and Nicole, his experiences in the war, and finally, his post-war life, hiding from the world and waiting for his enemy to come home.
Each individual story is paced nicely, and all three intertwine, all the pieces coming together to form the picture that is Francis' life.
Despite what I said before about it being the structure rather than the content that contributes to the book's success, I find the themes that are interwoven throughout the story to be very effective, particularly that of heroism and what defines it, war in its many forms, love, and the loss of innocence.
I suppose one of the things that is a deciding factor in which books get to be put on the GCSE line-up is how they are written, and in fact, the rich language used is something that all of my GCSE texts have in common, which I love.
Cormier's writing is beautiful and an important tool in conveying all that he wanted to. The quotes are lovely, and sometimes heartbreaking, but all of them memorable, which is the critical thing when you need them for an exam.
So, all in all, I'd say that, although it is not quite my favourite GCSE text, I do still adore it and I think that everyone should give it a go.
I'd rate this book....
8.5 out of 10 stars
'Scared kids, not born to fight and kill...but heroes anyway. The real heroes'- Francis
However, after that first reading, I came away disappointed- the book was not what I had expected at all.
Young soldier, Francis Cassavant, has just returned to Frenchtown after World War ll horribly maimed and disfigured.
With only the clothes on his back, and gun in his bag, Francis is set on his final mission- to find the man who betrayed him in his youth, and make him pay for what he did.
As the days pass in Frenchtown, Francis lives out the post-war period, reliving the days of his childhood as he waits for the return of another supposed hero.
As I mentioned above, when I first read this novella, I was expecting great things, and ultimately didn't think that I received them. I found myself bored, listless, the story tiresome and the characters flat. However, as is the nature of GCSE texts (and any other English Literature study texts, I should think) it's obligatory to read, re-read, and re-read again. You have to know your texts inside out, back to front, and any which way you can think of. And the more I read it, the more I realised that perhaps I had judged it too hastily. It wasn't bad at all- in fact, it was very, very good.
After a while, I could hardly believe that I had initially found the characters dull. I liked them all, especially Francis. It was told in first person, and whilst I'm aware that many writers employ this literary technique, this felt so personal. I almost felt like an intruder, as I followed all of Francis' separate journeys through different stages in his life, eavesdropping on his private thoughts and feelings, experiencing his self-doubt and rejection. I really sympathised with him, and on several occasions, I just wanted to step through the pages and give him a big hug.
I also really liked Nicole, up until a certain point. She wasn't to blame for what happened, and how she reacted, but her behaviour still irritated me. But, prior to that, she came across as a genuinely kind girl, who was very sweet to Francis.
I even liked Larry, to an extent, if 'like' is the right word. I thought he was an intensely interesting and complex character, and I could never quite make up my minds as to whether I admired him, felt sorry for him, or downright disliked him. Was he a victim or a villain? I am still undecided.
Just like 'Of Mice and Men', I thought that 'Heroes' was very clever, and it became more so to me the more times I read it. It was less the actual content, but the structure that made it so. There was the story of Francis's childhood, and his escapades with Larry and Nicole, his experiences in the war, and finally, his post-war life, hiding from the world and waiting for his enemy to come home.
Each individual story is paced nicely, and all three intertwine, all the pieces coming together to form the picture that is Francis' life.
Despite what I said before about it being the structure rather than the content that contributes to the book's success, I find the themes that are interwoven throughout the story to be very effective, particularly that of heroism and what defines it, war in its many forms, love, and the loss of innocence.
I suppose one of the things that is a deciding factor in which books get to be put on the GCSE line-up is how they are written, and in fact, the rich language used is something that all of my GCSE texts have in common, which I love.
Cormier's writing is beautiful and an important tool in conveying all that he wanted to. The quotes are lovely, and sometimes heartbreaking, but all of them memorable, which is the critical thing when you need them for an exam.
So, all in all, I'd say that, although it is not quite my favourite GCSE text, I do still adore it and I think that everyone should give it a go.
I'd rate this book....
8.5 out of 10 stars
'Scared kids, not born to fight and kill...but heroes anyway. The real heroes'- Francis
November 30, 2012
This book is about a 14 year old kid name francis cassavant that goes to war and loses some of his face. Francis has many young adult problems like anger frustration. Francis return to frenchtown after coming back from war , and he wears a scarf to cover his face because he lost almost of his face and people well not have to see the horror oh his injuries. Francis goes to on to beat LaSalle in a table tennis competition and became well known " Table Tennis Champion. " He dosen't know that Larry lets him win till he finds out , times passes and Francis meats a new girl arrivies at St Jude's who falls in love with. Nicole Renard the one who francis falls in love with she comes from Albany , New York and Francis tell her that she's the most pretty girl from the whole world. In the end LaSella is surprised that francis is sad about what happen to her so he has already planned his actions and words against LaSalla he can't bring him sled to kill him so he walks away and Nicole goes back to her town and they loose conection between her and Francis
In this book is kind of a sad story because a 14 year old boy goes to war 2 and almost lost of his face and they kill his chill hood. When Francis comes back he thinks that it's not that same anymore because he has to cover his face and people didn't like him that way but when he goes back to school he mets a girl name Nicole , the girl of her dreams. They both get in love but people get between them and they both fight to be together. Francis does anything to be with her but she's not ready to be with him so she goes back to Albany , New York and study and become a teacher of english. I think it's a sad book because you cannot take away a chill hood from a kid and send him to war knowing that he might die or like what happen to francis he almost die. He lost his noce , eye brows but their a good thing about this book that tells that you should fight for you want and take the what it has to take to to get it.
If you like to read about how bad is talking a kid to war and you want to know what happen to this kid name Francis then you should read this book because i respect what happen to him and how he live. It tells you about real love that love is not about they look and stuff, its about how they feel and stuff and what they mean. Francis didn't had the best times of his life he knew that his chill hood was killed , but he didn't give up on anything because he knew there was a tomorrow to live on live for the day and make a change of his life
In this book is kind of a sad story because a 14 year old boy goes to war 2 and almost lost of his face and they kill his chill hood. When Francis comes back he thinks that it's not that same anymore because he has to cover his face and people didn't like him that way but when he goes back to school he mets a girl name Nicole , the girl of her dreams. They both get in love but people get between them and they both fight to be together. Francis does anything to be with her but she's not ready to be with him so she goes back to Albany , New York and study and become a teacher of english. I think it's a sad book because you cannot take away a chill hood from a kid and send him to war knowing that he might die or like what happen to francis he almost die. He lost his noce , eye brows but their a good thing about this book that tells that you should fight for you want and take the what it has to take to to get it.
If you like to read about how bad is talking a kid to war and you want to know what happen to this kid name Francis then you should read this book because i respect what happen to him and how he live. It tells you about real love that love is not about they look and stuff, its about how they feel and stuff and what they mean. Francis didn't had the best times of his life he knew that his chill hood was killed , but he didn't give up on anything because he knew there was a tomorrow to live on live for the day and make a change of his life
March 30, 2018
Heroes
Recently, I read a book called Heroes, by Robert Cormier. Robert is an American author and journalist known for his novels, which target young adults. His childhood life was mostly reading books, and staying home. Robert was the second of the eight children born to Lucien Joseph and Irma M.Cormier. He has won a number of awards and achievements. For instance, Robert won the Margaret A.Edwards Award, Phoenix Award from the the Children’s Literature Association, and many more, which captures the attention of more and more young adults.
The book talks about Francis Joseph Cassavant on a mission to kill his childhood hero, and find his love he had lost due to his childhood hero. On his way to accomplishing those two missions, he goes through memories and meets some of his childhood friends.
The book’s purpose was to show how much betrayal, love, hate, guilt, and forgiveness can impact a person. Also, it shows how some things cannot go the way you wanted. Additionally, those words are not always what you think they are, since all of those traits can hurt instead of help. The overall message of the book is to teach you a lesson about love, hate, guilt, and forgiveness.
I loved to read the book because it explains every setting or mood with great detail, that I had a vivid imagination while I was reading some parts of the book. Also, because of the great details, it was much easier to understand the theme of the book. I absolutely recommend this book to young adults because it “will” really help them understand the true reason of life. Oh, I have eyes… but no ears to speak of… was an important quote because it shows the description of the main character, Francis because it explained his life and how he looks like.
I recommend this book to young adults because it explains what life is about, how hard it can be dealing with all the normal problems in life. People need to know that this book contains some inappropriate language, but very little.
Recently, I read a book called Heroes, by Robert Cormier. Robert is an American author and journalist known for his novels, which target young adults. His childhood life was mostly reading books, and staying home. Robert was the second of the eight children born to Lucien Joseph and Irma M.Cormier. He has won a number of awards and achievements. For instance, Robert won the Margaret A.Edwards Award, Phoenix Award from the the Children’s Literature Association, and many more, which captures the attention of more and more young adults.
The book talks about Francis Joseph Cassavant on a mission to kill his childhood hero, and find his love he had lost due to his childhood hero. On his way to accomplishing those two missions, he goes through memories and meets some of his childhood friends.
The book’s purpose was to show how much betrayal, love, hate, guilt, and forgiveness can impact a person. Also, it shows how some things cannot go the way you wanted. Additionally, those words are not always what you think they are, since all of those traits can hurt instead of help. The overall message of the book is to teach you a lesson about love, hate, guilt, and forgiveness.
I loved to read the book because it explains every setting or mood with great detail, that I had a vivid imagination while I was reading some parts of the book. Also, because of the great details, it was much easier to understand the theme of the book. I absolutely recommend this book to young adults because it “will” really help them understand the true reason of life. Oh, I have eyes… but no ears to speak of… was an important quote because it shows the description of the main character, Francis because it explained his life and how he looks like.
I recommend this book to young adults because it explains what life is about, how hard it can be dealing with all the normal problems in life. People need to know that this book contains some inappropriate language, but very little.
April 16, 2024
worst book i have ever read in my life
March 8, 2010
Larry LaSalle. Need I say more? He is the coolest, most good-looking kid in all of Frenchtown. He’s got it all! Larry LaSalle is a hero to all of the kids in Frenchtown, especially Francis Joseph Cassavant. Francis looked up to Larry…it’s a shame that he has to kill him. You see, Larry raped Francis’ girlfriend while Francis was in WWII. Francis is eighteen now… and he has returned home without a face. During the war, a grenade blew off Francis’ lips, nose, and ears. His eyes and eardrums are still intact, but Francis wears a bandage wrapped around his face. Besides his new appearance, Francis brought back another souvenir from the war…a gun. Haunted by the guilt of being unable to prevent what had happened, Francis’ path is paved with revenge as he seeks out those that had helped him in his path as he walks to restore justice in his conscience. In Robert Cormier’s Heroes, the reader will see each page as a step in Francis’ path to justice. The highly original plot and setting will make the reader’s eyes gleam with respect for Robert Cormier’s writing style. Although the character Francis Joseph Cassavant is unlike most fictional characters, Robert Cormier still tweaks his personality in order to be relatable to the reader. Francis is a very sympathetic character I would recommend this book to anyone who is bored with books with cliché plots and predictable endings.
November 13, 2017
ROBERT CORMIER REQUIRED READING
This is the story of Francis, a young 14 year old boy who worships a town hero names Larry Lassal. Larry opens up a recreation hall for youth and teaches Francis how to play ping pong and a young girl names Nicole how to dance. After Lassal lets Francis win a ping pong tournament, Francis overhears him rape Nicole and Nicole rages that Francis did nothing to stop it. Francis enlists in the army in order to die and throws himself on a grenade but instead of dying is disfigured. He looks up Lassall to kill him but instead Lassal offers to kill himself, but not before asking if his bad deeds wipes out his good ones. The book is so clear and crisp in it's character's objective it then takes tyou off to explore how evil the antagonist really is. It's complex and doesn't really have an answer. This strange tale of guilt and heartbreak reminds me of Guy De Monpassent's "The Necklace" where misunderstanding and resentment propels people in to decisions that could have been avoided.
This is the story of Francis, a young 14 year old boy who worships a town hero names Larry Lassal. Larry opens up a recreation hall for youth and teaches Francis how to play ping pong and a young girl names Nicole how to dance. After Lassal lets Francis win a ping pong tournament, Francis overhears him rape Nicole and Nicole rages that Francis did nothing to stop it. Francis enlists in the army in order to die and throws himself on a grenade but instead of dying is disfigured. He looks up Lassall to kill him but instead Lassal offers to kill himself, but not before asking if his bad deeds wipes out his good ones. The book is so clear and crisp in it's character's objective it then takes tyou off to explore how evil the antagonist really is. It's complex and doesn't really have an answer. This strange tale of guilt and heartbreak reminds me of Guy De Monpassent's "The Necklace" where misunderstanding and resentment propels people in to decisions that could have been avoided.
June 23, 2010
HEROES is a story of Francis Joseph Cassavantd who enlisted early in World War II but has returned. His face was, to put it lightly, blasted off. You get information from him through the form of flashbacks and you discover his dark pass and why he ran and joined the army at age sixteen. Francis also has one goal and that is too kill his mentor, after finding out why, you are hopping that he pulls the trigger not only on his mentor but also on his self.
I liked this book. IT was really creative with how it was written. You discover the plot through flashbacks on this former soldier's life. The ending of the book is a little disappointing. I was really hoping for some other stuff to happen and when it didn't it was kind of a let down. But he was a pretty good writer and I enjoyed this book.
I liked this book. IT was really creative with how it was written. You discover the plot through flashbacks on this former soldier's life. The ending of the book is a little disappointing. I was really hoping for some other stuff to happen and when it didn't it was kind of a let down. But he was a pretty good writer and I enjoyed this book.
February 16, 2016
Had to read this for GCSE and to be honest it was the bane of my life for the entire year studying it. I read it while the whole time thinking "god I could write this so much better".
The actual story idea itself was really good. The whole idea of Francis feeling responsible for what happened and then him deciding to go off to war to die, before getting disfigured and deciding to go on a revenge mission. All that stuff was great. But the unimaginative way it was written bored me to death. I guess, when you study it at GCSE and you look really deep into the text, you can sort of understand the lack of basically any interesting narrative, imagery and dialogue, but if I had just read it off the shelf I think I would have asked for my money back.
I personally would not recommend it, I think there are so many better books to read for GCSE and I'm glad it's all over now.
The actual story idea itself was really good. The whole idea of Francis feeling responsible for what happened and then him deciding to go off to war to die, before getting disfigured and deciding to go on a revenge mission. All that stuff was great. But the unimaginative way it was written bored me to death. I guess, when you study it at GCSE and you look really deep into the text, you can sort of understand the lack of basically any interesting narrative, imagery and dialogue, but if I had just read it off the shelf I think I would have asked for my money back.
I personally would not recommend it, I think there are so many better books to read for GCSE and I'm glad it's all over now.
December 6, 2017
CLASS READING/AUTHOR REQUIREMENT
I know Cormier can be dark, but Heroes was fantastic, moving, and thought-provoking, and I would read it again.
The book follows Francis, a boy who decided to go off to war after seeing his childhood hero rape his girlfirend. Rather than live with the shame, he decides to go to the warfront and try to die honorably. Though he does his best to die, he continues to live--but without a face. He returns to his hometown to get revenge on his childhood hero.
Yes, the book sounds dark--and it is. Rape, attempted murder, war, death. But Francis's struggle against guilt is powerful. The interrogation of intent is thought provoking. And LeBlanc's manipulation of innocent kids looking for a hero is scary.
I would recommend this to 16+ with discussion so that teens don't come awy thinking that all adults are all untrustworthy and dangerous.
I know Cormier can be dark, but Heroes was fantastic, moving, and thought-provoking, and I would read it again.
The book follows Francis, a boy who decided to go off to war after seeing his childhood hero rape his girlfirend. Rather than live with the shame, he decides to go to the warfront and try to die honorably. Though he does his best to die, he continues to live--but without a face. He returns to his hometown to get revenge on his childhood hero.
Yes, the book sounds dark--and it is. Rape, attempted murder, war, death. But Francis's struggle against guilt is powerful. The interrogation of intent is thought provoking. And LeBlanc's manipulation of innocent kids looking for a hero is scary.
I would recommend this to 16+ with discussion so that teens don't come awy thinking that all adults are all untrustworthy and dangerous.
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