Heroes

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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. The two spend a night reminiscing about the town, and Norman eventually tells Francis that Nicole and her family suddenly left Frenchtown shortly after Francis enlisted. Francis is skilled at table-tennis after having been taught by Larry LaSalle at the 'Wreck Center', and in his Wreck Center days won a trophy for winning a series of table-tennis matches, culminating in the winning match against Larry LaSalle, despite LaSalle 'letting him win'. 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.

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. 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. 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. It tells about the challenges of a young man coming back from war, and really having lost everything. He hopes to rekindle his relationship with her but she rebuffs him, claiming that she can never forget his betrayal at the Wreck Center.Also, the majority of my English Lit class didn't enjoy this book as they had expected it to be intense. 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. This is an extremely moving story, with a strong theme of deception and how someone's image can hide a multitude of sins.

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. Larry LaSalle: LaSalle is the main antagonist of the novel, but during the earlier chapters he is described as a very positive and talented person.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. Whilst at school he met Nicole Renard and instantly fell in love with her, and continues to be so until at the end of the book. Later she is involved in the events concerning Larry LaSalle, who taught her dancing in the 'Wreck Centre'.

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. 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 would recommend this to 16+ with discussion so that teens don't come awy thinking that all adults are all untrustworthy and dangerous.A quiet man who worked at the Monument Comb factory, he was always affectionate towards Francis but moved back to Canada during the war. Ultimately, he slings his bag comfortably over his shoulders and heads for the next train out of Albany, giving no clues as to his final decision or destination.