The Labors of Hercules Beal

By: Gary D. Schmidt

Narrated by: Fred Berman

From award-winning author Gary D. Schmidt, a warm and witty novel in the tradition of The Wednesday Wars, in which a seventh grader has to figure out how to fulfill a seemingly impossible school assignment—and learns about friendship, community, and himself along the way.

Herc Beal knows who he's named after—a mythical hero—but he's no superhero. He's the smallest kid in his class. So when his homeroom teacher at his new middle school gives him the assignment of duplicating the mythical Hercules's amazing feats in real life, he's skeptical. After all, there are no Nemean Lions on Cape Cod—and not a single Hydra in sight.

Missing his parents terribly and wishing his older brother wasn't working all the time, Herc figures out how to take his first steps along the road that the great Hercules himself once walked. Soon, new friends, human and animal, are helping him. And though his mythical role model performed his twelve labors by himself, Herc begins to see that he may not have to go it alone.

©2023 Gary D. Schmidt (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Best of the Best!

Brilliant writing and brilliant audio performance

I did not want this book to end! “The Labors of Hercules Beal” is my first book by the author, Gary Schmidt! I am a new huge fan!!!

Loved the consistency of the narrative.

Was a coming of age story that focused on positive relationships and dependencies. We all need a reminder that struggles pass and growth is constant.

Gary D Schmidt is a brilliant writer!

I (and my teenagers) are big fans of Wednesday Wars and Ok For Now. We also love Pay Attention Carter Jones. We loved Hercules Beal. Brilliant writing. Gary D Schmidt has become one of my all-time favorite authors. The narrator is superb as well.

Schmidt does it again...

I am a long-time Gary D. Schmidt fan. but I go years between reading his novels, and every time I read a new one, I am always reminded once again why he is probably the most underrated young adult novelist whoever lived. Indeed, he is one of the best. This novel carries so many of his trademarks that it's impossible not to fall in love with him all over again. The eccentricity, depth and loveliness of the characters, the lovingly nuanced New England setting, the frenetic intensity of the polarities of laugh-out-loud hilarity and gut-wrenching pain and sorrow: it's all here, and honestly, it's right up there with the Wednesday Wars, an accomplishment I never thought he could achieve. And the narrator, just wow. I've never heard of this guy, but holy cow, I would have hand-picked him to lovingly portray any of Schmidt's novels. His voice has a gentleness and love behind it that gives the story even more layering. His soft and gentle tone when describing something hard, mixed with his jovial, mischievous tone when a prank is being pulled really pull you in and force you to drop whatever you are doing and just listen. All in all, this is my favorite audible production, and I've listened to over 300 titles. This is truly, gently art.

I loved it

Perfect read for this adult. I fell short in the word count for this review. My first sentence was all needed.

The story

It was amazing the character development was just perfect and the story was so good

Laughed and cried

Those who have read Gary Schmidt know that he is an exceptional storyteller who weaves in solid and true life lessons without ever sounded “preachy.” It’s amazing that he was able to do that even with having a ex-military man turned teacher who is tough as nails but who became tender at just the right moments (and it was usually those moments that choked me up.) The story, the setting, the characters were all expertly rendered and unforgettable. Woven throughout the story is the strong thread of Greek mythology whereby Hercules (the myth) becomes accessible and relevant. I loved the strong, sensible female characters in this story - Viola, Ellie, Mrs. Savage. I questioned whether it’s plausible that poor Hercules could have experienced that many car accidents in his young life, but will concede artistic license on that plot choice. I loved the reading of Fred Berman right from the start. His voice had expression and softness at just the right moments and different voices for the major characters, complete with a hint of a New England accent. He was absolutely amazing. If you want to be reminded of what it is like to be human together in this wild and precious life, don’t hesitate - read this book!

Clever, Easy Read

The narration is top notch and the story is uplifting and meaningful. The protagonist and his cast of supporting characters try to find the best in themselves as they face what life brings and what life takes away. Easy listen.

Great Book

I loved this book, pure and simple. I loved the narrator -- who first seemed too adult for the reader of the main character, and then became just perfect. I loved the Labors that Hercules Beal was assigned and how they helped him to grow as a human being through the book, even when life dealt him more difficulties. I cried several times, both with sadness and joy through the book, and I'm not a crier. This is a wonderful book, and I'm recommending it to people of all ages.

This book is so eventful and full of surprises

I like the plot, lesson, and feelings this book delivers. This book just leaves you feeling good and you can feel the emotion through the book