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Heroes
Heroes
Dec 4, 2025 5:39 AM

Author:Robert Cormier

Heroes

'What if I told him I am not the hero he thinks I am . . .?'

Maimed and disfigured whilst fighting in the World War Two, young Francis Cassavant is returning to his hometown as a hero. But one who must hide both his face and his identity.

For his past holds a bitter secret, one which he has vowed to revenge and which he can resolve only through his final, desperate plan: to destroy the man who betrayed him as a boy.

Left without a face or a future, but sustained by his deep sense of shame, Francis watches. He thinks of the gun in his duffel bag and waits, alone, for the return of another supposed hero.

Praise for Robert Cormier:

The Chocolate War

'This is a tour de force and tour de force of realism' - Times

The Bumblebee Flies Away

'A novel you are unlikely to forget' - Times

Reviews

The best novel I have read in years... a cast-iron masterpiece

—— David Baddiel , The Times

Funny, moving and wise, The Position is a joy to read

—— Daily Mail

Meg Wolitzer is a fine, funny and wise writer

—— Independent on Sunday

Hilarious

—— Mail on Sunday

Her writing is sympathetic, measured, gently ironic...an entertaining and persuasive novel about a family and its inevitable diffusion

—— Daily Telegraph

What sets and keeps you reading is not the high concept about the sex book but the beautifully developed deeper story of what parents owe children...The tone is one of nuanced insight and observation, both sympathetic and worldly

—— Guardian

Intelligent and witty

—— Herald

A fantastic book that had me gripped . . . Malorie doesn't just write great stories, she also writes characters that can tell those stories with a real heart in them . . . Noble Conflict is just as much a thriller of the mind as well as making your heart race

—— sisterspooky.co.uk

A brilliant book which I quite literally could not stop reading

—— Clare Poole , The Bookseller

Another gripping, thought-provoking read...The essence of war and weaponry, corruption and control is explored making this a pertinent read, and one that resonates in today’s society

—— Vanessa Lewis , The Bookseller

Noble Conflict is a very enjoyable piece of literature. Whilst it must have been very tempting to draw from other dystopian fiction and cinema, Blackman instead draws more from taking the idea of terrorism and exploring how it might actually evolve in the future. This set up allows for a very interesting cat and mouse narrative . . . A very entertaining book; it takes a very relevant topic and, with a strong narrative and lead character, allows the reader to question the arguments of each side and judge who the real villains are

—— Starburst

A powerful story

—— Big Issue

The new UK Children's Laureate, Malorie Blackman, doesn't disappoint with her teen novel . . . a powerful examination of war, loyalty and love

—— Irish Independent

A satisfying meld of fantasy and reality which will absorb readers of either sex

—— Carousel

A thrilling, powerful, page-turning story of love, violence and betrayal, that will stay with teen readers long after they finish it

—— Mumsnet

A thought-provoking novel which makes us all think about what we accept and what we really want. It doesn't pull any punches but there are touches of humour to lighten the story

—— Parents in Touch

A gripping, conspiracy-filled read

—— Children's Books Ireland

Stealthy … Sneaky … Gripping … It is, in short, awesome. Read it immediately.

—— Tor.com

Tigerman manages ... that elusive combination of intelligent, beautiful writing with a story that is imaginative, fast-paced and really good fun. There's plenty to make you think as well as plenty to make you laugh … Harkaway writes with such dexterity and delight … That balance of proper storytelling with literary complexity is, for me, what makes a book really special and Tigerman does this with aplomb - it's a joy to read.

—— We Love This Book

Tigerman is a brilliant and unique novel which deserves to be read again and again ... dazzling display of creativity.

—— Upcoming4.me

I was dazzled … Characterisation is as ever top notch … this is a marvel … everyone will appreciate the sheer grace and artistry of it.

—— Liz Loves Books

Tigerman is a truly engaging and original book; for all the nail-biting tension, humour, superheroic deeds and a brilliant twist there is also a deep and honest heart to it ... This is easily one of the best books I've read this year.

—— Hair Past A Freckle

With intelligent, witty writing you cannot help but warm to the unlikely and slightly hapless hero in Lester Ferris.

—— Starburst

A virtuoso piece of entertainment which hurtles satisfyingly towards its conclusion after delivering a startling, didn’t-see-that-coming sucker-punch of a twist.

—— A Life in Books

Funny, moving and thought-provoking

—— Big Issue in the North

The key to Harkaway’s writing is the incredibly textured depth and imaginative characterisation. It is one of those books whose character are so rich that by the climax, you feel like they’ve penetrated your reality and you want to keep them close, even after the book is over.

—— Nudge

Original and exciting, full of humanity and comedy, Tigerman by Nick Harkaway is a beautiful piece of work

—— Morning Star

Original, exciting, full of humanity and comedy, Tigerman by Nick Harkaway is a beautiful piece of work.

—— Morning Star
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