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Robert Cormier: Daring to Disturb the Universe
Beginning with the publication of The Chocolate War in 1974, and continuing throughout the entirety of his career, Robert Cormier dared to disturb the universe. The moment Jerry Renault refused to sell his first chocolate bar Robert Cormier began a life-long career that would push the boundaries of traditional young adult literature. He would go on to prove again and again that a YA novel could be both realistic and unflinchingly honest. And that fiction for teens could be great literature.
In this book YA librarian and Cormier biographer Patty Campbell explores each of Cormier's books for young readers. From the boundary breaking modern classic The Chocolate War and the award-winning I Am the Cheese , to the tender Frenchtown Summer and the shocking and disturbing Tenderness , Campbell's literary analysis illuminates why Robert Cormier has been called the single most important writer in young adult literature. And how his work has touched generations of young readers' hearts and minds, daring them again and again to disturb their own universe.
In this book YA librarian and Cormier biographer Patty Campbell explores each of Cormier's books for young readers. From the boundary breaking modern classic The Chocolate War and the award-winning I Am the Cheese , to the tender Frenchtown Summer and the shocking and disturbing Tenderness , Campbell's literary analysis illuminates why Robert Cormier has been called the single most important writer in young adult literature. And how his work has touched generations of young readers' hearts and minds, daring them again and again to disturb their own universe.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
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Patty Campbell
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 15, 2011
Monday the 17th would have been Robert Cormier's 86th birthday, though he passed away on November 2, 2000. While reading this excellent study of his life and work by Patty Campbell, a superb YA librarian and one of The Horn Book's finest contributors, I remembered the two things that initially attracted me to Cormier's The Chocolate War (published the year I was born) when I was 14 years old in 1988.
First, my paternal grandmother is Rita Cormier, and the French Canadians on that side of my family (as on my mother's side) moved south to Waltham, Massachusetts, to work in factories just as Robert Cormier's family had come to Leominster, Mass. As far as I know, we are not directly related, but the name certainly caught my eye. We shared a similar workaday Catholic heritage; I could tell that right away.
Second, the very first chapter of The Chocolate War kicked me in the gut like no other piece of writing I'd read to that point. The rest of the book -- its cinematic scenes, sinuous metaphors, and pogo-ing points of view that have all been catalogued by scholars and critics -- continued to pummel me. I took it. I loved it, each word. And I still do.
Since then I've read most of Robert Cormier's work, except for his last two novels, Frenchtown Summer and The Rag and Bone Shop (which I plan to read). However, I still cannot bring myself to read Beyond the Chocolate War (though Campbell makes a great case for why I should) simply because I think the first book is perfectly self-contained, a closed system with an open ending that neither needs nor wants a sequel.
I don't begrudge Cormier for writing Beyond -- he always followed his instincts as a writer, after all -- but I can forgive myself for putting off the experience for so long.
Jerry Renault is murdered, whatever you take that to mean. Am I wrong to resist his resurrection?
First, my paternal grandmother is Rita Cormier, and the French Canadians on that side of my family (as on my mother's side) moved south to Waltham, Massachusetts, to work in factories just as Robert Cormier's family had come to Leominster, Mass. As far as I know, we are not directly related, but the name certainly caught my eye. We shared a similar workaday Catholic heritage; I could tell that right away.
Second, the very first chapter of The Chocolate War kicked me in the gut like no other piece of writing I'd read to that point. The rest of the book -- its cinematic scenes, sinuous metaphors, and pogo-ing points of view that have all been catalogued by scholars and critics -- continued to pummel me. I took it. I loved it, each word. And I still do.
Since then I've read most of Robert Cormier's work, except for his last two novels, Frenchtown Summer and The Rag and Bone Shop (which I plan to read). However, I still cannot bring myself to read Beyond the Chocolate War (though Campbell makes a great case for why I should) simply because I think the first book is perfectly self-contained, a closed system with an open ending that neither needs nor wants a sequel.
I don't begrudge Cormier for writing Beyond -- he always followed his instincts as a writer, after all -- but I can forgive myself for putting off the experience for so long.
Jerry Renault is murdered, whatever you take that to mean. Am I wrong to resist his resurrection?
December 10, 2009
Nonfiction
This book, by Patty Campbell gives an inside look into the life and personality of Robert Cormier. Anyone who has read any of Cormier's books knows that they are bleak and eerie, and often leave the reader feeling depressed and unsatisfied. Campbell had the opportunity to know Cormier personally and through this book, shows how incredibly gentle and easy-going he is, despite the subject matter of his books. The first half of the book tells about Cormier as a person-his personality, his family, etc. while the second half focuses on a more in-depth analysis of his books. After reading one of Robert Cormier's books, I was really interested in him and how he is able to write about such dark subjects. This is definitely not a book someone would read for leisure, but for anyone who is interested in Cormier's books, it's an awesome look into the man behind the books.
This book, by Patty Campbell gives an inside look into the life and personality of Robert Cormier. Anyone who has read any of Cormier's books knows that they are bleak and eerie, and often leave the reader feeling depressed and unsatisfied. Campbell had the opportunity to know Cormier personally and through this book, shows how incredibly gentle and easy-going he is, despite the subject matter of his books. The first half of the book tells about Cormier as a person-his personality, his family, etc. while the second half focuses on a more in-depth analysis of his books. After reading one of Robert Cormier's books, I was really interested in him and how he is able to write about such dark subjects. This is definitely not a book someone would read for leisure, but for anyone who is interested in Cormier's books, it's an awesome look into the man behind the books.
March 18, 2009
I almost didn't read this one, thinking it was another dry academic tome written to showcase the author and not the subject. Not even close. It's an amazing biography packed full of insights to the craft of writing from Cormier's own comments and work. Campbell knew Cormier well, so she shares anecdotes that can't be found elsewhere. Writers -- students of YA writing in particular -- should read this book over and over again! The latter portion delves into each of Cormier's books individually, offering Cormier's process, challenges, and comments related to the specific title. Even if you're not a fan of his often tragic books, Cormier's story as a writer is fascinating in the way that Campbell describes it.
May 29, 2019
This is an ode to my favorite author, spelling out what I often have difficulty explaining to others why I love Robert Cormier so much. Pages 65-100 is what I want to shout from a mountaintop about how amazing Chocolate War and Beyond the Chocolate War are. This also makes me want to reread some of the titles for having missed some things.
October 17, 2009
Genre: YA, Biography, Literary Analysis
This book is about Robert Cormier, his childhood and past, his insights of his books and what led him to write them. I enjoyed learning more about Robert Cormier and seeing that while his books are full of tragedy and evil, his motivation for writing that is good. I was surprised to learn that Robert Cormier is a homebody who has a loving wife and family. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in him or his books with one caution, many of the books are discussed in detail and I wouldn’t want it to ruin the ending of books they hadn’t read. Otherwise, this was a great book and I learned much that better helped me understand his books.
This book is about Robert Cormier, his childhood and past, his insights of his books and what led him to write them. I enjoyed learning more about Robert Cormier and seeing that while his books are full of tragedy and evil, his motivation for writing that is good. I was surprised to learn that Robert Cormier is a homebody who has a loving wife and family. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in him or his books with one caution, many of the books are discussed in detail and I wouldn’t want it to ruin the ending of books they hadn’t read. Otherwise, this was a great book and I learned much that better helped me understand his books.
December 4, 2009
nonfiction
This book takes a deep analysis of several Cormier novels, picking apart themes and plots and characters. The book is most interesting if you've read the books it dissects. I've always appreciated Cormier's work, and this book helped me see further into his expert writing.
This book takes a deep analysis of several Cormier novels, picking apart themes and plots and characters. The book is most interesting if you've read the books it dissects. I've always appreciated Cormier's work, and this book helped me see further into his expert writing.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews