"The Hero" by W. Somerset Maugham is a thought-provoking novel that examines the complexities of heroism and public perception. The story centers on James Parsons, a soldier returning home from war, only to find himself disillusioned by the expectations placed on him as a hero. Maugham explores themes of identity, societal pressure, and the dissonance between personal experience and public admiration in this introspective and critical narrative.