Worcester Phoenix Tenderness review
This review explores Cormier's novel <em>Tenderness</em>. It touches upon the terrifying realism of the plot and the characters. Later, it quotes Cormier's discussion regarding character development; specifically the ways that characters come alive for him through the writing process. It closes with Cormier's thoughts about Eric, and the mix of humanity and evil he represents.
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The Worcester Phoenix
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
11 Paril 1997
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
English
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"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.
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<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
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"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.
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<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
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"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.
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<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
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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.
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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
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Tenderness Reader's Companion Packet
This Reader's Companion includes a biography of Cormier, an interview with him, a summary of <em>Tenderness</em>, and suggested discussion questions. Included with the companion is a promotional letter from the editor, Craig Virden, who talks about the monstrous protagonist that still garner compassion and the gritty, mature content and accompanying "sophisticated" design of the book. In his interview, Cormier talks about the importance of characters for achieving realism in his writing and mentions a writer's need to be able to write from all perspectives regardless of gender or ethnicity. He also reveals a fear of indifference. Discussion questions focus on character motives, reader response, social and cultural phenomena, and written craft (plot structure, point-of-view, setting, irony).
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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/102" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Delacorte Books for Young Readers Reading Group Guide</span></a>
Cover letter: JPG, 8.5x11 resumé paper
Folder: JPG, 9.5x11.5 glossy
Reader's Companion (unfolded) 21 3/4 x 8 1/4
Reader's Companion (folded) 5.5 x 8 1/4
English
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<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".
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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
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<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
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"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.
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<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
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"'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.
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<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
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