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As the creator of one of the most iconic literary heroes, Lee Child is perfectly placed to discuss the nature, history and relevance of heroism in modern culture. Analysing everyone from Robin Hood to James Bond, Child’s extended essay gets to the heart of why we value fictional heroes so highly and why they are more important now than ever. Punchy, concise and astute, The Hero is an entertaining and illuminating read.
Signed Edition
WHAT MAKES A HERO? WHO BETTER TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION THAN LEE CHILD...
In his first work of nonfiction, the creator of the multimillion-selling Jack Reacher series explores the endurance of heroes from Achilles to Bond, showing us how this age-old myth is a fundamental part of what makes us human. He demonstrates how hero stories continue to shape our world - arguing that we need them now more than ever.
From the Stone Age to the Greek Tragedies, from Shakespeare to Robin Hood, we have always had our heroes. The hero is at the centre of formative myths in every culture and persists to this day in world-conquering books, films and TV shows. But why do these characters continue to inspire us, and why are they so central to storytelling?
Scalpel-sharp on the roots of storytelling and enlightening on the history and science of myth, The Hero is essential reading for anyone trying to write or understand fiction. Child teaches us how these stories still shape our minds and behaviour in an increasingly confusing modern world, and with his trademark concision and wit, demonstrates that however civilised we get, we'll always need heroes.
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN: 9781785177491
Number of pages: 64
Weight: 270 g
Dimensions: 184 x 117 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
`It's Lee Child. Why would you not read it?' Karin Slaughter
`I don't know another author so skilled at making me turn the page' The Times
`It's said that a Jack Reacher novel is bought every four seconds somewhere in the world. He is to crime fiction what Clint Eastwood's 'man with no name' was to the western. Lee Child's genius has been to create a tough guy hero that men will envy and women will adore' Daily Express
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