House of Heroes and Other Stories

A collection of short stories populated with heroes great and small, outsiders and inmates, disfigured, disenchanted, and quietly triumphantA collection of short stories populated with heroes great and small, outsiders and inmates, disfigured, disenchanted, and quietly triumphant. Ten short stories examine the courage and loneliness of misfits in a society that demands conformity. In "Faith," an emotionally troubled girl attaches herself to a vulnerable psychologist. In "Superstitions," a small child takes on responsibility for her younger, epileptic brother. "Understanding" makes us look at an very old woman through the eyes of her ancient poodle. Other characters include a giant woman in a small town, residents of a shelter for disturbed adolescents, a pair of recovering alcoholics. La Chapelle writes with humor, and her compassion is contagious.