However, the positive outlook is shown to be false, as the veterans are later presented as pessimistic people, especially Arthur Rivier, who struggles to cope with not talking about the war.

However, as is the nature of GCSE texts (and any other English Literature study texts, I should think) it's obligatory to read, re-read, and re-read again.Their conversation is awkward when they meet, and Nicole does not allow the possibility that their relationship might resume, but she does apologize for blaming Francis for her trauma. Larry joins the Marines, not in some noble effort to protect his nation and stop the atrocities that were happening in Europe but instead a lust for revenge after the attack on Pearl Harbour or as he puts it himself, not to let “the Japs get away with this. Biography: Robert Cormier was a journalist and author, acclaimed for his young adult novels with their uncompromising examination of contemporary issues. As the two men talk, Francis confesses that the true reason he went to war was because he wanted to die, and then he reveals that he witnessed the rape. He considers taking Nicole’s advice about taking up writing, or seeking out a plastic surgeon to reconstruct his face.

He lost his noce , eye brows but their a good thing about this book that tells that you should fight for you want and take the what it has to take to to get it.At parts I really wanted to shut the book because it was painful to think about how it would be to be without a nose, raw cheeks and flaps for ears. This novel portrays the dilemma of taking justice into your own hands or showing mercy to someone who also happens to have a huge influence on your life but committed such an immoral act. Larry opens up a recreation hall for youth and teaches Francis how to play ping pong and a young girl names Nicole how to dance.