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Random Acts of Heroic Love | 
 enlarge | Author: Danny Scheinmann
Publisher: Black Swan
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy New: £3.86
You Save: £4.13 (52%)
Media: Paperback
Pages: 432
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 4.8 x 1.1
ISBN: 0552774227
EAN: 9780552774222
ASIN: 0552774227
Publication Date: January 1, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews: Read 66 more reviews...
 On the presence and power of love even after it is lost October 14, 2008
The memory of love can at times be more present and more devestating than a human being can phanthom. "Random Acts of Heroic Love" is the story of Leo, who loses the love of his life in a bus-crash while backpacking in South America and the story of Moritz, who flees a POW camp in Siberia under WW1 and journeys back to Europe on foot, hoping to find the love of his life waiting for him.
The two men are alike in so many ways, but Leo goes under with grief after Eleni's death, while Moritz is strong with hope and determination after only a single kiss from Lotte. However, when the title calls "Randoms Acts of Heroic Love" into focus, I do not believe that it is the two main characters' love, but the love from the characters around Leo and Moritz.
"Random Acts of Heroic Love" has a certain novelty as the main characters are men, and it certainly aspires the reader to thoughts of love, loss, and life. It is atmospheric, beautifully written, and maintains a softness despite rough scenes in both the Leo and Moritz plotlines. However, it is a bit mushy, a little overly romantic despite the author's attempt to add a scientific approach to love with an university professor and a ph.d. in the mating rituals of ants.
I would recommend "Random Acts of Heroic Love" to someone, who loves romantic films and who - with a glass of red wine in hand - willingly discusses the notion of love.
Louise
 Breathtaking September 21, 2008
I finished Random Acts last weekend and it's one of those rare books that stays with you long after you've finished it. I still find it creeping into my thoughts. At first I was reading Leo's story as the predominant one but as Moritz's one took over I found myself absolutely addicted to it. I often check the amount of pages left in a book to estimate what might happen, but I read each one thoroughly wishing it not to end. Indeed the story in the book of the journey versus the destination was how I read it from then on. I absolutely adored it, and when I've got the emotional strength to read it again I definitely will, which is again rare for me to do. I would recommend this not just as a romantic novel but a life lessons one which I'd say almost anyone will enjoy. Have to go now as I'll probably start crying again if I think about it too much. Enjoy.
Amazing September 19, 2008
A real story of love. Moritz is determined to find his lost love,
Lotte. He endures real hardship along the way.Elsewhere, Leo is
mourning the loss of Eleni, his one true love. Leo goes on a journey
and makes a discovery that will change his life. The hidden connections
between these two men are heartwarming.
I really enjoyed this book, beautifully written, tender and very
moving. It really draws you in.
 Wonderful but .... September 17, 2008
This is Danny Scheinmann's debut novel. He has a terrific story to tell. Born in 1896 in Ulanov, a small village close to the Russian border, at 16 years old, Moritz Daniecki falls in love with Lotte Steinberg. He the son of a cobbler, she the daughter of a wealthy fur trader. They share one kiss and promise themselves to each other, despite knowing that their circumstances will never permit marriage. When war is declared he is sent to The Front. Finally, after many hardships and great suffering, he is abandoned in Siberia and, with Lotte's memory to sustain him, he begins the long walk home, a journey that will take years and one that will test his courage, his love and his endurance. Wonderful. BUT .... this story more than stands up for itself, why then muddy the waters with the story of Leo Deakin, a young man who loses the love of his life in a terrible accident while back-packing in South America? Leo Deakin is not a sympathetic character and I found myself unable to warm towards him. I think DS made a mistake in using a parallel story to illustrate the extraordinary events of his grandfather's life because this was the lifeblood of the book and made it worth every moment of the time spent reading it. I think Scheinmann was not best-served by his editor. A good read that could have been better.
A little syrupy in parts but not too bad September 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I picked up this book in a charity shop and almost put it down as it had a sticker on it as a recommended Richard and Judy book. I decided to put aside my prejudice and bought it. It was an average read in all respects. There are two stories in one here. The first concerns a young Polish Jew who ends up in Siberia during the First World War and tells the tale of his epic walk across Siberia and Russia to get back home to his childhood sweetheart. The second story takes place in the 1990's and chronicles the story of a young man's bereavement when his girlfriend dies after a road crash in Ecuador. This part of the story is irritating and cloying. I just couldn't really empathise with his refusal to accept that death is part of life and his tedious and interminable navel-gazing with a mysterious Italian philosopher/physicist was so adolescent. Now and again we have pictures of animals and aphorisms that he has torn from books that are meant to show us universal truths. Oh dear, that really is annoying!
Altogether, an average read. But I know it will appeal to sentimental readers. I am not hard-hearted, but it didn't do a lot for me. Next time I will resist the urge to pick up a Richard and Judy book!
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