Heroes (novel)

Heroes (1998) is a short novel by American author Robert Cormier aimed at teenagers. The book is set in Frenchtown, Massachusetts during World War II. The novel focuses on the protagonist, Francis Joseph Cassavant's return to Frenchtown after coming back disfigured from the war, and wears a scarf covering his face to save others from seeing the horror of his injuries and wanting to be anonymous.

We learn that Francis has specifically returned to Frenchtown for a purpose, which is to kill Larry LaSalle. LaSalle was classed as a social good-doer at the time when he was encouraging Francis to take part in activities at the 'Wreck Centre' bring him out of his shell. Francis goes on to beat LaSalle in a table tennis competition and became well known as a 'table tennis champion'. However, we later find that Larry simply let him win. During this time, a new girl arrvies at St Jude's school who he immediately falls in love with; Nicole Renard. She had moved from Albany, New York and Francis described her as "the most beautiful girl" he had ever seen. Shy and 'timid', Francis thought of Nicole constantly but never had the courage to talk to her until she started dancing at the 'wreck centre'.

However, the main plot of the story destroys their love when Larry LaSalle sexually assaults Nicole in the 'Wreck Center', the local community center, one night. The Wreck Center had previously been a wedding hall, until a disastrous event happened where a woman was murderd during her wedding reception by her ex-boyfriend. The hall was later re-opened as the Rec. Centre, the locals of Frenchtown immediately knew it as theforeshadows the later events of Nicole being raped by LaSalle.

Francis is pressured to leave the 'wreck centre' by LaSalle so he could have "one last dance" with Nicole, and did so because they always did what "Larry LaSalle told them to do". Francis was nevertheless concerned about Nicole so he stayed outside the studio until it was over. However Francis then heard noises and realized that LaSalle was in fact assaulting Nicole. In a major panic and innocent, Francis had no idea what to do, perhaps out of cowardliness or maybe innocence, and did not go to help or protect Nicole. After the attack, Nicole, distraught, saw that Francis was still there and was extremely horrified by the thought of Francis not saving her.

For weeks afterwards, Francis tried to apologize to Nicole, but Nicole would not give him a chance to explain his actions. Therefore, Francis saw their relationship entirely broken, and heartbroken himself, decided to enlist for the army in World War II. Underage at fifteen or sixteen (His age is never specified in the novel but if he is based on Cormier as he seems to be, he was born in 1925, and if he joined the army in 1941 that would make him sixteen), he forged his birth certificate and went to fight in Germany.

We additionally learn that during his army experience in Germany, Francis obtained his facial injuries by jumping on a grenade; saving many men's lives. He then received a 'Silver Star Award' for his bravery, and then returns to Frenchtown with "plenty of money" but not happiness in the slightest.

In the end, when he meets Larry, LaSalle is surprised that Francis is distraught about what happened to her. LaSalle, however, claims that "we all love our sins". Although Francis he has already planned his actions and words against LaSalle, he cannot bring himself to kill Larry and walks away. As he leaves the building he hears a gunshot from Larry's room, revealing that Larry has shot himself. After the ordeal he visits Nicole, who has moved back to Albany, New York. She no longer wants to be a nurse but a teacher of English. We discover that Nicole never told anyone about the attack but tells Francis that staying in touch is a bad idea because of the memories that it will bring back to both of them. They both knew that the affection that they once shared had now been lost anyway.