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Jonathan Meredith #1
Prove Yourself a Hero
This novel about a kidnapping gives the reader insight into the behaviour of different people under stress - the victim, those who care about him, and those who are inflicting harm on him.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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About the author
K.M. Peyton
109 books150 followersKathleen Wendy Herald Peyton MBE, who wrote primarily as K. M. Peyton, was a British author of fiction for children and young adults
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 1, 2017
3.5
This YA thriller from 1977 tells the story of Jonathan Meredith, a teenage boy with very wealthy parents, who is kidnapped, and held for a £500,000 ransom. My review is a little spoiler-ish.
It's hard to write about this book without giving away certain plot details, but on the other hand, the blurb on the front cover of the edition I read reads "Being kidnapped was a nightmare -- but the aftermath was worse," so I suppose it doesn't give away too much to say that Jonathan survives, and returns home. The kidnapping episode in this story, although it takes up a good half of the book, is more of a prelude, and the more important part comes later.
How does it feel to be safely back home knowing that your parents have spent almost all their hard-earned wealth on rescuing you, when you sense that your mother thinks you should have tried harder to escape? As I was reading, I almost felt I disliked the book, and seriously thought I'd give it two stars. Firstly, I thought many aspects of the kidnapping were improbable, and secondly, and more importantly, the book made me furious, because I thought it was monstrous, the way everyone seems to more or less expect Jonathan to shake off the trauma of his experience and pick up where he left off-- and I thought the author shared this attitude. I suppose there is a bit of the cultural stiff upper lip expectation at play here, but eventually I realized that the book was more subtle than I realized, and the maddening unfairness of Jonathan's situation is, in fact, the real meat of the story.
I should have known better than to underestimate K.M. Peyton, even though it takes quite a while for this book to hit its stride. Characteristically, the most thrilling part of the story is not the kidnapping, but rather the breathless depiction of a point-to-point race towards the end in which Jonathan is competing (I've neglected to mention that horses play a big role in the book), a race which has emotional implications beyond the immediate outcome.
This YA thriller from 1977 tells the story of Jonathan Meredith, a teenage boy with very wealthy parents, who is kidnapped, and held for a £500,000 ransom. My review is a little spoiler-ish.
It's hard to write about this book without giving away certain plot details, but on the other hand, the blurb on the front cover of the edition I read reads "Being kidnapped was a nightmare -- but the aftermath was worse," so I suppose it doesn't give away too much to say that Jonathan survives, and returns home. The kidnapping episode in this story, although it takes up a good half of the book, is more of a prelude, and the more important part comes later.
How does it feel to be safely back home knowing that your parents have spent almost all their hard-earned wealth on rescuing you, when you sense that your mother thinks you should have tried harder to escape? As I was reading, I almost felt I disliked the book, and seriously thought I'd give it two stars. Firstly, I thought many aspects of the kidnapping were improbable, and secondly, and more importantly, the book made me furious, because I thought it was monstrous, the way everyone seems to more or less expect Jonathan to shake off the trauma of his experience and pick up where he left off-- and I thought the author shared this attitude. I suppose there is a bit of the cultural stiff upper lip expectation at play here, but eventually I realized that the book was more subtle than I realized, and the maddening unfairness of Jonathan's situation is, in fact, the real meat of the story.
I should have known better than to underestimate K.M. Peyton, even though it takes quite a while for this book to hit its stride. Characteristically, the most thrilling part of the story is not the kidnapping, but rather the breathless depiction of a point-to-point race towards the end in which Jonathan is competing (I've neglected to mention that horses play a big role in the book), a race which has emotional implications beyond the immediate outcome.
May 21, 2021
Another one of the books from my teens that I found in a box. This one centres around Jonathon Meredith who is described by his friend Peter McNair as quiet, easy and lacking ambition; a bit of a swot by nature. They are best friends through their love of horses and riding. Jonathon is kidnapped, and by chance Peter sees it happen.
The story of what happens then and afterwards is described brilliantly and would make a great film.
It made me think about what the difference is between teen books and fiction for adults? My conclusion is that there isn’t really much difference. The protagonist is a little younger, but the book is well written and the story interesting. At only 137 pages it was a quick read and very enjoyable. Next on my list is A Midsummer’s Night Death, sequel to to Prove Yourself a Hero
The story of what happens then and afterwards is described brilliantly and would make a great film.
It made me think about what the difference is between teen books and fiction for adults? My conclusion is that there isn’t really much difference. The protagonist is a little younger, but the book is well written and the story interesting. At only 137 pages it was a quick read and very enjoyable. Next on my list is A Midsummer’s Night Death, sequel to to Prove Yourself a Hero
February 3, 2013
Favourite childhood author who read my first attempt at a book when I was 17, despite having never met me! First book of hers that I read at school.
July 16, 2017
This book brought up what it's really like not just while being kidnapped, but how it affects the person and those around them. I loved this, because it showed what the kidnapping and aftermath is really like.
January 11, 2024
and I finally finished it,
it was an okay read for me, I think I might be giving it only three stars cos the narrating felt old, was confused a little in the beginning , but then I kind of synchronized with the narrative, the horse caring part though am still clueless about, I liked Peter most, and the story in interesting , as I had no idea how it will tun up.
I think I might re-read it again one day , when I forgot all about it.
it was an okay read for me, I think I might be giving it only three stars cos the narrating felt old, was confused a little in the beginning , but then I kind of synchronized with the narrative, the horse caring part though am still clueless about, I liked Peter most, and the story in interesting , as I had no idea how it will tun up.
I think I might re-read it again one day , when I forgot all about it.
September 17, 2023
Lang geleden zelf gelezen, nu voorgelezen. Totaal anders in mijn herinnering. Meer psychologie dan spannend.
June 24, 2009
The story of a rich boy getting kidnapped and what happened afterwards including a run in with one of his kidnappers again. I'd almost forgot I'd read this book, and I wish I owned it. A memory from my childhood.
January 26, 2014
Not quite so intriguing as the second mystery featuring this character, but still a good read, and all the people concerned are drawn well given the perspectives we get on them.
January 29, 2015
Great! Quite thrilling, and loved the non-horsey looks into the Merediths!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews