Description
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, Tenderness, 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.