From: Wojtyla, Karen <KWojtyla>
Date: Wed, 22 Aug 2001 14:54:21 -0400

As Robert Cormier's editor for several years, I have seen quite a range of responses to his work. The book that engenders the most negative response is far and away The Chocolate War. But it also engenders fierce admiration, and I thought I would share parts of a letter from a teen reader to Bob several years ago. This young man wrote:

"I should probably start by saying that writing this letter is completely out of character for me but it is something I really want to do...I am an extrememly conservative, Republican Baptist. If life turns out as I plan it to, I could be a minister someday...Two weeks ago I decided to begin loooking for two young adult books for our final Senior English Assignment. I looked through my English teacher's personal library and came across The Chocolate War. Then I saw After the First Death and noticed it was also by this "Cormier guy"... I never intended to enjoy them. I had read everything from Beowulf to The Picture of Dorian Gray and although I appreciated them, I didn't enjoy them. I loved the book from the first line. The entire book seemed so incredibly real. I just kept thinking "This guy knows about real life." It seems that you have gotten some bad press for just that ability. People don't seem to want to face the reality you present... Thanks for allowing me to see things through different eyes in your books. Thanks for being honest and for not candy-coating real life. I'm glad I got to meet Archie Costello now. Maybe when I have to face him in the "real world" I will be more prepared."

His English teacher, who sent this letter to Bob, also included the young man's essay, part of which which seems relevant to the discussion about hope:

"Robert Cormier dares to go against the grain. While others are dancing around the truth, Cormier displays it as the not always nice pakcage that it is. Not only does he display it; he shoves it in your face so you are forced to confront it. He not only lets you know that the good guy doesn't always win, he lets you know that sometimes there isn't a good guy. With Robert Cormier, resolution isn't always a good thing. When Jerry Renault is down with ten minutes left you're not sure he'll be getting up like Rocky always does. When the terrorist is holding Kate hostage you can't be sure the government will win like MacGyver always does. In real life, there are no guarantees. Cormier's books are often controversial and this is the reason why. People feel the theme he uses is too morbid and shows too much hopelessness. Cormier tends to show the worst case scenario, but people tend to forget that the worst case scenario is always an option in real life. You plan for the worst because the worst could happen. This is why banning Cormier's books is absurd. They should be taught in schools. Children should know what people are capable of. Cormier wants to show us."

Karen Wojtyla Publishing Director Knopf Delacorte Dell
Received on Wed 22 Aug 2001 01:54:21 PM CDT