Puntabulous

Hero by Perry Moore – Review

I finished Hero by Perry Moore the other day. I absolutely loved it. It was fun, and geeky, and at times very moving (there may or may not have been tears). I loved the team of misfit superheroes trying to make a name for themselves in the League (of professional superheroes). Ruth, Scarlett, and Larry cracked me up and were a joy to read, while still having an emotional depth that made them fuller characters. The relationship between Thom and his father was also very touching, regardless of how frustrating it could be at times. I just wanted to yell “Get along already!”, but that’s life I suppose. Part of me wishes this book could have taken place in the DC universe, so we could use those superheroes, instead of making up new ones like Justice (a stand-in for Superman) and Silver Bullet (the Flash) but by the middle of the book I was able to appreciate the characters for who they were. But wasn’t Golden Boy the name of Jerry Seinfeld’s favorite t-shirt? That’s all I could think about every time (When will I learn that “every time” is two words and not one? Damn you Britney Spears for confusing me with your glorious balled Everytime!) I saw his name. And yes, the gay stuff was really great too. Now I’m really excited about the upcoming TV series based on this! AfterElton did a post about who should play each of the characters, and I have to say that I whole-heartedly agree with their choices! Now I’m reading World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks. It’s an account of a world-wide zombie epidemic, as told through interviews with various people who have encountered them, starting with the doctor who tried to treat “Patient Zero” all the way through to global infestation. I’m really enjoying it so far! It’s completely different from anything else I’ve read before. Brian F would be proud!

BOOKS | Craig | December 12, 2008 7:41 am

26 Comments

By Dave S., December 12, 2008 @ 7:48 am

I’m going to go buy “Hero” tonight. I’ve heard enough good things about this novel to really make me want to read it. Thanks for the reminder, Craig!

And I’ve been wanting to pick up “World War Z” for a while now — love love love zombies. Guess it’ll have to wait until after “Hero”…
By bernd, December 12, 2008 @ 8:47 am

glad you liked it, too. For me it was one of a very small group of books that I immediately re-read after finishing, twice. My gay book-group will discuss it February.
By Tam, December 12, 2008 @ 8:52 am

ARRGGHHH!!! Why didn’t you post this yesterday? Really Craig, you made me waste my free book at Chapters last night. I went to buy three and was told that a fourth book was free. I wandered around aimlessly unable to find ANYTHING I wanted to read so got some teenie vampire book for my daughter for Christmas. Shit. I should have got this one. Sigh. Oh well, I will eventually, if I remember next time I’m there.
By polt, December 12, 2008 @ 8:56 am

I LOVED Hero as well! And I know just what parts there may or may not have been tears at! Really great book. And I had no idea they were making a TV series! That’s awesome. I just hope they do the book justice and don’t dumb it all down for the audience.

HUGS…
By GoKitty, December 12, 2008 @ 9:58 am

Has anyone read the Alan Moore graphic novel “The Watchmen”? The movie comes out in March and I’m excited even though I’m sure it wont do it justice. Its about the seedy underbelly of being a superhero (costumed vigilante).
By Tam, December 12, 2008 @ 10:01 am

GoKitty: Oh lordy, don’t get Polt, John and Dave started on The Watchmen. They’ve even peaked my interest and I’m not usually into graphic novels.
By polt, December 12, 2008 @ 10:08 am

Too late, Tam, I’m already started.

Read it, Go Kitty? I go it when it came out in monthly installments back in, what was it, 1985? Oh GOD, how I hated having to wait a whole four weeks for the next one! There’s so many different layers to it all!

I got the graphic novel collection when it came out, read and reread that one so much I had to get a second one a few years back. And I’m on my third copy now.

Read it…GoKitty, the two movie trailers give me goosebumps everytime I see them!

Okay…I think I’ll stop now….before I write a own graphic novel just talking about the Watchmen.

HUGS…
By Dave S., December 12, 2008 @ 11:04 am

Tam: Email me your address today and I’ll get my copy of it to you in the mail.
By Ryan R., December 12, 2008 @ 11:14 am

Didn’t you mention that you were reading it a while back? I ordered it a little before Thanksgiving and finished it in a day.
By Ryan R., December 12, 2008 @ 11:17 am

I’m conflicted about Mitch Hewer as Thom. It would be awesome for him to break into the American market, but that would mean he would have to stop playing Danny on Britannia High.
By Craig, December 12, 2008 @ 11:20 am

Ryan R: Yeah, I started it at the end of November. I’m a slow reader. Well, not slow per se, but I usually only read on the train going to and coming home from work (for about 5 minutes before falling asleep).
By Craig, December 12, 2008 @ 11:23 am

I don’t know about the guys but I love the idea of Kathryn Joosten as Ruth and Tina Majorino as Scarlett. Those are who I pictured the entire time (though I read the article before I read the book, so that probably helped).
By Ryan R., December 12, 2008 @ 11:35 am

I would love to see Tomlin as Ruth, but, more than that, I would love to see another show with a gay starring role with the support of a major media institution. Too often, the gay characters are considered too minor to have a second gay character for their love interest.
By polt, December 12, 2008 @ 11:55 am

I like the idea of Mitch as Thom…although, I always picture Thom as younger and smaller, but Mitch would definitely be a great choice!

HUGS..
By Dave S., December 12, 2008 @ 3:35 pm

I have absolutelly no idea who any of these people are…
By polt, December 12, 2008 @ 3:45 pm

Well, Dave S., if you watched Skins, you’d know who Mitch Hewer was….and frankly, if he’s there to look at, I don’t even CARE who anyone else is.

HUGS…
By Adric, December 12, 2008 @ 4:07 pm

holy crap, world war z was one of my favorite books of the year! I got genuine chills reading it and it was really well conceived, plotted and executed (no pun intended.) I’m so excited you’re reading it! Once my semester ends (next thursday, finally!) I was planning to re-read it.

Also, I just started Star Wars, Legacy of the Force: Invincible. I need to go back and read your review of it…
By jere, December 12, 2008 @ 7:28 pm

When I first read Hero, I said that is was like someone sat down and wrote a book especially for me and my particular interests. I’m glad you liked it.
By Mr. Bruno, December 13, 2008 @ 11:41 am

So I didn’t read this post because I thought it’d be too spoilerific for me (I despise spoilers in any form, even like ‘so on page 1, a man walks in front of a bus and goes into a coma just as his grandma is showering the cupcakes she made him with sprinkles) BUT I saw Britney Spears mentioned. So I read one line.

And thank you Craig! I always want to write “everytime” too! And that ballad is glorious. Have you heard “Out From Under” from her new CD yet?!
By Mark, December 13, 2008 @ 1:08 pm

Dave S. : “I have absolutelly no idea who any of these people are…

Me either, just wanted to say hi! Good “night”
By Ryan R., December 13, 2008 @ 1:57 pm

Reading the descriptions, AfterElton admittedly heavily relies on a Canadian teen drama.
By Brian F., December 13, 2008 @ 2:07 pm

I *am* very proud! It’s a fantastic book. Excellent choice.
By a-train, December 13, 2008 @ 4:49 pm

ooo this sounds good! i think i’m gunna pick it up tonight!
By Ryan R., December 16, 2008 @ 1:54 pm

Judging by Britannia High’s slipping ratings, Mitch may be available.
By Phill, January 30, 2009 @ 7:22 am

I want to read this book so bad, but i’m from Brazil so I can’t buy it here, where can i download it?
By perry moore, February 4, 2009 @ 9:33 pm

Hi, everyone,
This is Perry Moore, the author of HERO. I can’t thank you enough for all the kind things you have to say about the book. The story literally burned a hole right out of me! I wanted Thom’s journey to be universal, a tale we could all connect to, not something solely based on his sexuality. (Just like straight people aren’t only defined by their sexuality.) Still, love and longing and loss and redemption all play huge parts in the book.

Please write me at my website: perrymoorestories.com if you want to talk about anything. Connecting with the audience is perhaps the greatest unexpected surprise about being an author.

And since there are so many who still need the book, please consider writing a nice review on Amazon.com if you are moved to do so. My publishers urge me to ask, because they say this is still the best way to get the word out about the book.

I’m looking forward to hearing from all of you on my site.

Here’s to the hero in all of you!

All the best,

Perry Moore