"'Tenderness' and troubled lives" <em>Sentinel & Enterprise</em>
This article presents an edited interview with Cormier after the publication of <em>Tenderness</em>. Cormier expresses doubts about being able to "pull it off" because the protagonist is a "monster." He discusses his character-driven writing process and sheds light on the book's dedication to three Leominster teachers who impacted his early career as a writer.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Jennifer+Fenn">Jennifer Fenn</a>
<em>Sentinel & Enterprise</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
9 March 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 13.5 x 13
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Newspaper+article">Newspaper article</a>
"Sex, Serial Killers, And Suicide" <em>Brill's Content</em>
Kimberly Conniff's article situates Cormier's novel <em>Tenderness</em> in the changing landscape of teen fiction. She uses the adjectives "gritty, immediate, and brazenly hardcore" to describe Melvin Burgess's <em>Smack</em>, but they could just as easily pertain to Cormier's work. Conniff also points to works like <em>Tenderness</em> exceeding publishers' sales expectations. She calls the move towards the hardcore subject matter a ploy to bring in older teens to the young adult market and marks the prevalence of YA specific imprints at large publishing houses, YA reading lists on bookstore websites, and YA specific book prizes. Conniff makes a passing mention of the Columbine shooting as a point to reference to remind readers of how teenagers do face real problems that literature written for and about them should reflect if we are to be honest about our reality.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kimberly+Connie">Kimberly Connie</a>
<em>Brill's Content</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
September 1999
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Magazine+article">Magazine article</a>
"That Tender Touch" book review of <em>Tenderness</em>
This review addresses the novel <em>Tenderness</em> as a book for older, young adult readers. Much of the piece focuses on Cormier's portrayals of Eric and Lori. The author contends that the two teens, though different in many ways, share a twisted search for tenderness. Zvirin does note that the novel is not as textured as thrillers in the adult market, but has enough "psychological underpinnings" for teen readers. Also, she comments on the increased sexual content, even if artfully implied rather than explicit, than is typical for Cormier.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Stephanie+Zvirin">Stephanie Zvirin</a>
<em>Booklist</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
1 February 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Book+review">Book review</a>
"Try a Little Tenderness" <em>Boston Magazine</em>
This profile of Cormier investigates his life and work, with a specific focus on his recent visit to Judge John J. Connelly Youth Service Center, a Roslindale youth lockdown for boys. Keeping his interactions with troubled youth to the fore, the piece also brings in the characters of Cormier's recent novel, <em>Tenderness</em>, which students at the facility recently read. Cormier shares his concerns about how realistic his depictions of the juvenile detention center will appear to this audience and the students struggle to feel sympathy for Eric or accept Lori's sad fate. Also included is a background of Cormier's early writing career.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Lisa+Gerson">Lisa Gerson</a>
<em>Boston Magazine</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
December 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8x11 glossy magazine
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Magazine+article">Magazine article</a>
"Writer pens tough teen stories" <em>Middlesex News</em>
In this portrait of Cormier for the <em>Middlesex News</em>, Lisa Alcock touches on the highlights of Cormier's career and explores the gritty realism that helps Cormier's work connect with young readers. She devotes considerable space to the newly-released <em>Tenderness </em>and the differences between its two main characters, Lori and Eric.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Lisa+Alcock">Lisa Alcock</a>
<em>Middlesex News</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
18 April 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Newspaper+article">Newspaper article</a>
<em>Tenderness</em> draft with editor's comment
Twenty pages of typescript of <em>Tenderness</em> show extensive commenting and editorial markings. Pages are numbered in pencil but not all pages are consecutive. Editorial comments, presumably from Karen Wojtyla, discuss issues of continuity, suspense, perspective, and characters' behavior, motives, backstory and depth of internal thought. Comments also show an interest in the possibility of Eric redeeming himself and encouraging moments of increased ambiguity. The markings suggest making Lori more frightened and innocent and Eric more socially adept, confident and less monstrous as the novel comes to an end.<br /><br />The nonconsecutive pages of the novel include scenes of disposing of Alicia's body, ejecting Lori from Harmony House, a phone call between Eric and Maria to arrange a meeting, feeding the swans, and Lori and Eric's drive to a motel where Eric begins an attempt at killing Lori. Also included is a section of the fairground scene, the incident at Mirror Lake, and Walter Clayton committing suicide.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 20 May 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/18" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 12 March 1996</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Typescript+draft">Typescript draft</a>
<em>Tenderness</em> draft with Robert Cormier's markings
These six-page non-consecutive typed draft of <em>Tenderness</em> sections shows both handwritten and typed revisions with XXXX over previously typed words. One page includes notes to himself about reframing Lori's parent's situations. The other pages are of Lori compelled to kiss a rock singer and the scene of her hitchhiking and inviting the driver to grope and kiss her for money.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderness draft with editor's comment</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Typescript+draft">Typescript draft</a>
<em>Tenderness</em> Grade Level Defense
This piece presents a detailed rationale for teaching Cormier's <em>Tenderness</em> at or above the sixth-grade level. The defense includes a summary of the novel, a biography of Cormier, teaching objectives, suggested teaching methods, potential essay questions, and suitable alternative books. The rationale for the book's value cites its potential to teach students about antisocial behavior and life's perils, of thinking critically about their own identity formation, and of the adolescent experience given "inadequate parenting".
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Nancy+Phol">Nancy Phol</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Grade+level+defense+and+analysis+for+the+book%27s+use+in+schools">Grade level defense and analysis for the book's use in schools</a>
<em>Tenderness</em> review in <em>The Bulletin</em>
<em>The Bulletin</em>'s review of Cormier's novel <em>Tenderness</em> sticks mostly to the novel's plot and is positive overall, though it criticizes the novel's "clichèd action and stock characterization." The review also mentions the influence of thrillers and melodramas in its plot structure and pacing.
<em>The Bulletin</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
April 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Magazine+review">Magazine review</a>
Beverly Horowitz's letter to Robert Cormier 26 March 1998
This one-page typed letter, with <em>Tenderness</em> handwritten and underlined near the top, is from the vice president of Bantam Doubleday Dell congratulating Cormier on his inclusion on the New York Public Library's "Books for the Teen Age" reading list.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Beverly+Horowitz">Beverly Horowitz</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
26 March 1998
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Craig letter to Robert Cormier 16 February 1996
In this four-page letter from Cormier's editor, Craig Virden, it is apparent that Craig consulted with his colleague, Karen Wojtyla, and other editors at Bantam Doubleday Dell regarding the <em>Tenderness </em>manuscript. Craig explicitly mentions Karen's comments on the manuscript, though he opts for making macro-level suggestions on the draft. He shares his concerns that the novel makes huge departures from young adult literature. While Craig finds the novel and its characters gripping, he does offer some suggestions on Lori's troubling range of moral understanding and Eric's seeming self-awareness of his own monstrosity. Also of concern is the prominence of the police officer and his stereotypical treatment (as well as that of Maria). He briefly discusses mixed concerns about the use of first-person narration from Lori's perspective, Cormier has put notes in the margins indicating what suggestions he will attend to and how as well as which of his writing choices he plans to defend and preserve.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Craig+">Craig </a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
16 February 1996
Annamary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Craig 28 February 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/18" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 12 March 1996</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Delacorte Books for Young Readers Reading Group Guide
This draft version of Delacorte Press's reading guide for Robert Cormier's novel <em>Tenderness</em> presents the final 16 discussion questions and five others that were not selected for the publisher's Reader's Companion. The questions range from fairly straightforward, plot-driven questions to deeper questions of theology, morality, and literary themes in the novel. The five questions not selected address morality, sociopathology, the nature of love, the use of the term "monster," and the novel's adaptability to film. The draft includes the introduction to the novel, a list of other books by Cormier, and a short biography of the author.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Patty+Campbell">Patty Campbell</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/103" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Tenderness Reader's Companion Packet</span></a>
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Typescript+guide">Typescript guide</a>
J Lattre's letter to Connie and Robert Cormier 6 January 1998
In this two-page typed letter, a friend of the Cormiers praises Robert's latest novel, <em>Tenderness</em>, and promises to float it as a possible topic at reading groups. Lattre praises Cormier's ability to write from the perspective of a teenage girl and concludes by praising Cormier's work as a reflection of real life for young readers.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=J+Lattre">J Lattre</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
6 January 1998
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 7 13/16 x 5 13/16
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Judy's letter to Robert Cormier 13 May 1997
This one-page typed letter is from a friend of "Bob and Connie". Judy confesses her fascination with serial killers, especially Ted Bundy, and praises the powerful characterization in Cormier's <em>Tenderness</em>. She speaks about her uncomfortable empathy with Eric and how believable, real, and tragic Lori is.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Judy">Judy</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
13 May 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/26" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Judy 28 May 1997</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Karen Wojtyla's letter to Robert Cormier 12 March 1996
This five-page, single-spaced editorial letter concerning <em>Tenderness</em> from the editor, Karen Wojtyla (Bantam Doubleday Dell), constructively critiques the work in progress. She asks him to mention "monster" only sparingly, to reconsider how much backstory Jake is given, increase Lori's ambivalence rather than cast her as a willing accomplice to murder and reconsider his choice to close the book with Walter Clayton's suicide. Karen also mentions Craig Virden, Cormier's former editor, in redemptive ways and reveals that he had read and communicated with Cormier about <em>Tenderness </em>previously. Karen agrees with Craig on certain points, including removing Miss Kentall's lesbianism.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Karen+Wojtyla">Karen Wojtyla</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
12 March 1996
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Craig letter to Robert Cormier 16 February 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Craig 28 February 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Karen 9 April 1996</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tenderness draft with editor's comment</a>
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>