Book Review: "Too Much Terror for Us Rabbits"
Clarence E. Olson reviews <em>After the First Death</em>, stating that he will avoid reading Robert Cormier's work in the future, not for a lack of quality writing, but because its use of sustained terror is nerve-wracking and emotive. He writes "Cormier has the ruthlessness of a terrorist himself, the kind of ideological drive that makes him pull back the bloodied sheet and demand that we look squarely at the consequences of violence." He speaks to the impossible circumstance Cormier places his adolescent characters and the pervasive evil in his stories, making reference to <em>I Am the Cheese</em> to do so.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Clarence+E.+Olson">Clarence E. Olson</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, newsprint
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>
Book Review: "Nightmarish Novel of Terrorist Violence"
Grover Sales' review of <em>After the First Death</em> for the <em>San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle</em> praises the book's treatment of terrorism as above the current trends on the topic. He specifically speaks of patriotism and Ben Marchant's spoiled innocence.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Grover+Sales">Grover Sales</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
24 June 1979
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, newsprint
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>
"Terrorism in the 80's --- We Must Drink the Coffee"
This three-page typescript of Robert Cormier's article "Terrorism" includes pen and pencil markings and the second page is made of two portions of typed pages taped together. Cormier writes from his hotel room of the Tylenol crisis and the distant possibility that the coffee room service is delivering may have tampered with itself. He admits his melodrama, but he still claims the growing presence of terrorism is partly caused by our own vulnerability. He briefly mentions his novel, <em>After the First Death.</em>
<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 Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/23" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Terrorism" in Literary Cavalcade</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper cut to content length
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+draft">Magazine article draft</a>
"Terrorism" in <em>Literary Cavalcade</em>
Robert Cormier's essay "Terrorism" for <em>Literary Cavalcade</em> recounts the author's thoughts on terrorism from his St. Paul hotel room as he waits for his breakfast from room service. He talks of the facelessness of terrorism and the doubt that follows from that uncertain identity. He fears that his coffee might have been tampered with. While he admits this is far-fetched, he also claims that the circumstances around the Tylenol crisis seemed just as impossible. He makes a brief mention of his novel, <em>After the First Death</em>, and the tragedy that its themes of terrorism are still so relevant. He pays the room service employee who delivered his breakfast and wondered if the Tylenol terrorist looked as nondescript. Cormier states that we are vulnerable to terror at all times and as he has no solution to the problem, the best he can do is have the resolve to keep going with life and drink his coffee.
<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>
Literary Cavalcade Magazine
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
October 1986
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Terrorism in the 80's --- We Must Drink the Coffee"</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 glossy magazine paper
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>
Interview on <em>After the First Death</em>
Three pages of typed, and in places, typed-over, text appears to be Robert Cormier constructing interview responses and possibly even questions to which to reply about his audience, topic, research, and writing processes for <em>After the First Death</em>. He sympathizes with adolescents as he viewed that phase of life as "lacerating" and challenging. He shares how he conducted what research he could on a terroristic act and he explains how his characters unfold themselves to him through diligence and his telling of their truths.
<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 Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, 8.5 x 11 onion skin paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Interview+typescript">Interview typescript</a>
Virginia Beesley's letter to Robert Cormier
Virginia Beesley's typewritten two-page letter to Robert Cormier is an emotional epistle of her reading of <em>After the First Death</em>. She conveys both anger at Cormier for writing the book and admiration for writing it so skillfully. It is not clear whether she read it as part of a class or on her own.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Virginia+Beesley">Virginia Beesley</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
27 October 1993
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
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>
Mrs. Anti's Class Project, Hallowell Highlights
<em>Hallowell Highlights</em> is a student-generated newspaper for the fictional Hallowell, Massachusetts with mock interviews of characters from <em>After the First Death</em>, along with news reports covering the terrorist attack and Ben Marchand's shooting. Other newspaper staples like an editorial and events calendar appear in the project.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kristi+Kozak%2C+Denise+Concheri%2C+Kim+Dawes%2C+Mike+Ryan%2C+Stephanie+Synder%2C+and+Pam+Carpenter">Kristi Kozak, Denise Concheri, Kim Dawes, Mike Ryan, Stephanie Synder, and Pam Carpenter</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
14 August 1988
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/56" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Mrs. Anti</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/106">Robert Cormier's response to Mrs. Anti's class</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/128" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belinda Lothrop letter to Robert Cormier 25 October 1988</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Key letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denise Concheri letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jamie Argento letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimberly Dawes letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristi Kozak letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristin Doton letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Ryan letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/136" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs. Barbara Anti letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pamela Carpenter letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/138" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rachel Flynn letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/139" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephanie Synder letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Class+Project">Class Project</a>
Kenneth Melnick's letter to Robert Cormier 29 Nov 1981
This three-page typed letter on personalized stationery, written by ninth-grader Kenneth Melnick to Robert Cormier, dated 29 November 1981 is a series of specific questions about <em>After the First Death</em>. Kenneth has discussed his questions with both his English teacher and his mother who may have read the book, as well. Furthermore, Kenneth extends a generous invitation to Cormier to visit his school with all expenses paid.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kenneth+Melnick">Kenneth Melnick</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
29 November 1981
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/72" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenneth Melnick's letter to Robert Cormier 10 Dec 1981</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/73" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hallowell Headline Mrs. Gottenfeld's Class Project</a></p>
JPG, stationary
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>
Kenneth Melnick's letter to Robert Cormier 10 Dec 1981
In this second letter by Kenneth Melnick to Robert Cormier 10 Dec 1981, Kenneth alludes to a newspaper that his class made inspired by <em>After the First Death</em>. The letter appears to be a cover letter for the package from his school, Mamaroneck High School, in Mamaroneck, New York.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kenneth+Melnick">Kenneth Melnick</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
10 December 1981
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenneth Melnick's letter to Robert Cormier 29 Nov 1981</a></p>
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/73" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hallowell Headline Mrs. Gottenfeld's Class Project</a>
JPG, stationary paper
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>
Hallowell Headline Mrs. Gottenfeld's Class Project
In this 12-page student-created magazine, Hallowell Headline, Mrs. Gottenfeld's Class Project, dated 26 November 1981, students have written fan fiction inspired by Cormier's book, <em>After the First Death</em>.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Beth+Jones%2C%2C+Liz+Parnell%2C+Jesse+Jallely%2C+Beth+Hartman%2C+Shari+Robinson%2C+Mark+Loomis%2C+Merrily+Zeeman%2C+Peter+Novick%2C+Meredith+Bergman%2C+Josh+Fass%2C+Lisa+Kettle%2C+Katie+McGuire%2C+Heather+Regeis%2C+Kristen+Jackson%2C+Tom+Kubasik%2C+Mrs.+Gottenfeld">Beth Jones,, Liz Parnell, Jesse Jallely, Beth Hartman, Shari Robinson, Mark Loomis, Merrily Zeeman, Peter Novick, Meredith Bergman, Josh Fass, Lisa Kettle, Katie McGuire, Heather Regeis, Kristen Jackson, Tom Kubasik, Mrs. Gottenfeld</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
26 November 1981
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/71" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenneth Melnick's letter to Robert Cormier 29 Nov 1981</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/72" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenneth Melnick's letter to Robert Cormier 10 Dec 1981</a></p>
JPG, paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Class+project">Class project</a>
Jamie Lavender's letter to Robert Cormier
In this one-page, typed letter by Jamie Lavender, a high school student living in Lakewood, New Jersey, and dated 20 October 1983, the writer wrestles with the question of the purpose of fiction. S/he believes it is to "free the mind" not "burden" it with thoughts of terrorism as she experienced while reading <em>After the First</em> <em>Death</em>. S/he struggles to reconcile the competing views of his/herself and those of his/her teacher.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Jamie+Lavender">Jamie Lavender</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
20 October 1983
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
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>
Janet Fredericksen's letter to Robert Cormier
In this two-page, handwritten letter by Janet Fredericksen to Robert Cormier, the adult writer explains that she encountered the book, <em>After the First Death</em>, in a Children's Literature class. Almost angrily, she demands to know who his audience is and why the book is a YA book. Toward the end of the letter, she relates how engaging the book is and applauds him as a writer. In a postscript, her daughter has asked who she was writing to - then said: "he's the guy that wrote <em>I am the Cheese.</em>" The writer indicated that she intended to read that book soon.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Janet+Fredericksen">Janet Fredericksen</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
18 December 1985
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, stationary paper
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>
Jennifer Cowan's letter to Robert Cormier
In this one-page, typed letter dated April 14, 1986 by Jennifer Cowan, a high school student living in Hudson, she asks Cormier specific questions about character development in<em> After the First Death.</em>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Jennifer+Cowan">Jennifer Cowan</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
14 April 1986
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/81" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Jennifer Cowan</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
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>
Robert Cormier's response to Jennifer Cowan
In his two-page "random" response to Jennifer Cowan, as one of several (or more) classmates who wrote, Robert Cormier reveals that <em>After the First Death</em> is told from the point of view of Ben's father. He refers to a pamphlet he enclosed and hoped that would answer some of the questions she and others of her classmates entertained.
<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 Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
8 May 1986
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/80" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jennifer Cowan's letter to Robert Cormier</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
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>
Kristy Luzar's letter to Robert Cormier
<p>In Kristy Luzar's typed but very faded letter to Robert Cormier dated 15 May 1989 she shares her engagement with the novel, <em>After the First Death</em>, and asks him key questions about the characters and plot structure of the novel.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kristy+Luzar">Kristy Luzar</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
15 May 1989
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/89" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cindy Ryal's letter to Robert Cormier</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
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>