A HERO'S TALE by Stephen A. Spellman

Publisher: Torquere Press

Date published: 2/6/13

ISBN: NA

Young Adult

E-book

Reviewed by Helen

Weblink: http://www.prizmbooks.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6&products_id=51

Obtained via publisher

 

John Ireman is flying from New York City to California to visit his fiancée’s family. He’s not looking forward to the vacation but he never expected the journey would turn out as it did. He’s no hero, just an ordinary man. But his story tells us what we all know, but so often forget. When ordinary people make a decision, and act on it, they can do extraordinary things.

This is a very simple little story, all told from John’s POV. It begins a little self-consciously with a few heavy-handed, male-style jokes such as deliberately leaving the toilet seat up. But gradually the author gets into his story-telling mode and the little story begins to flow seamlessly, through catching the airplane, observing the other passengers, and through to what happens next.

The author has captured well the kind of bond strangers can make when they are stuck together in an unusual situation. He has also created his characters well, bearing in mind the narrator knows nothing more than what he can see.

This little story would have been very challenging to write, yet Mr. Spellman has done a great job of keeping the tension high, yet realistic. The ending is well done too.

A short story, aimed at young adults, but like all good young adult books, it’s well worth adults reading as well.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.