Robert Cormier

Robert Cormier - Author, Family and Childhood

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Robert Cormier's Personal Details

Robert Cormier was an American author and columnist known for his pessimistic novels

InformationDetail
BirthdayJanuary 17, 1925
Died onNovember 2, 2000
NationalityAmerican
FamousWriters, Novelists, Short Story Writers, Author
SpousesConstance Senay
Known asRobert Cormier
ChildrensRoberta Sullivan
Universities
  • Leominster High School
  • Fitchburg State College
Birth Place Leominster
ReligionRoman Catholic
GenderMale
FatherLucien Joseph
MotherIrma M. Cormier
Sun SignCapricorn
Born inLeominster
Famous asAmerican author
Died at Age75

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Robert Cormier's photo

Who is Robert Cormier?

Robert Cormier was an American author and journalist, known for his novels/stories that have pessimistic themes. He authored ten major novels and several short stories, most of which are specifically for young adults. Although he did not enjoy initial commercial success, he always received immense critical acclaim. His novels and short stories are centered on themes of abuse, betrayal, mental illness, violence, and revenge. Another interesting feature in his novels is that good may not necessarily win over evil. This tendency of his novels to stress on the ‘negative’ led to the rejection of his publications from educational institutions and library lists. However, the author and several critics have explained his works as simply a realistic depiction of human nature. Owing to stories’ dark controversial nature, some of his works were initially banned. However, with time they have been accepted into mainstream publication houses and have also been translated into many languages. His works now appear frequently on the list of ‘Best Books for Young Adults’ of the American Library Association and are often recommended in the New York Times and School Library Journal.

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Childhood & Early Life

Robert Cormier was the second of eight children born to Lucien Joseph and Irma M. Cormier. As a child, he liked reading books, staying at home. He began writing when he was in first grade in school.

By the time he reached 7th grade, he was sure that he wanted to become a writer and eventually his first short story, ‘The Little Things That Count’ was published in ‘The Sign’, a Catholic magazine, while he was still a freshman at Fitchburg State College. One of his professors sent the story for publishing without Cormier’s knowledge.

Career

Cormier began his career by writing scripts for radio commercials. He worked for 31 years as a newspaper reporter and a columnist for the ‘Worcester Telegram’ and ‘Gazette’ and ‘The Fitchburg Sentinel’, winning three major awards.

His first novel ‘Now and At the Hour’, was published in in 1960 which earned him great critical appreciation and kick-started his literary career.

‘A Little Raw on Monday Mornings’, his second work of fiction, was published in 1963 and a couple of years later he published ‘Take Me Where the Good Times Are’, before quitting journalism to become a full-time writer. ‘

He wrote and published his first novel for teenagers, ‘The Chocolate War’, in 1974. With its storyline and language, he quickly developed a reputation of being a brutally plain, uncompromising writer who dealt with morbid themes pertaining to the problems faced by teenagers, including anarchism and sexuality.

He produced some of his best works exploring the dark side of human nature, which are reflected in publications such as ‘Fade’ and ‘We All Fall Down’.

He also authored ‘Tenderness’ in 1997 and a year later published the thriller, ‘Heroes’.

His last work of fiction, ‘The Rag and Bone Shop’ was published posthumously in 2001.

Major Works

‘The Chocolate War’ was first published in 1974 and received mixed reviews at that time. Most of its content was frequently censored and although critics consider it one of the best young adult novels of all time, it was banned in many schools ‘for sexual content, offensive language, and violence’.

‘I Am the Cheese’, published in 1975, made it to the five annual book lists and was adapted for a film later. In 1997, the publication won the ‘Phoenix Award’.

Awards & Achievements

In 1991, he won the Margaret A. Edwards Award of the American Library Association in recognition of his body of work, which helped young adults grow and understand themselves. ‘I am the Cheese’ was cited as one of the books ‘taken to heart by young adults over a period of time’.

Personal Life & Legacy

Cormier and his wife, Constance Senay, ‘Connie’, have four children whose teenage lives often influenced his writing.

Though his works are devoid of slang or teenage lexis, the speech patterns were heavily drawn from what he heard through the conversations his children had with their friends.

He passed away due to lung cancer.

Trivia

When this brilliant author was in the eighth grade, he witnessed his house burning but could not run out to help his mom and baby sister, as his teacher made him sit back and say prayers before letting him go. He claims that it took him years to overcome his anger at this incident.

Although this notable author wrote in English, most of his characters have French-sounding names, which he did as a tribute to a place called, French Hill, where he spent his childhood.

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Robert Cormier's awards

YearNameAward

Other

01997 - Phoenix Award for Best English-language Children's Book
0 1991 - Margaret A. Edwards Award

Robert Cormier biography timelines

  • // 17th Jan 1925
    Robert Cormier was the second of eight children born to Lucien Joseph and Irma M. Cormier. As a child, he liked reading books, staying at home. He began writing when he was in first grade in school.
  • // 1960
    His first novel ‘Now and At the Hour’, was published in in 1960 which earned him great critical appreciation and kick-started his literary career.
  • // 1974
    He wrote and published his first novel for teenagers, ‘The Chocolate War’, in 1974. With its storyline and language, he quickly developed a reputation of being a brutally plain, uncompromising writer who dealt with morbid themes pertaining to the problems faced by teenagers, including anarchism and sexuality.
  • // 1974
    ‘The Chocolate War’ was first published in 1974 and received mixed reviews at that time. Most of its content was frequently censored and although critics consider it one of the best young adult novels of all time, it was banned in many schools ‘for sexual content, offensive language, and violence’.
  • // 1975 To 1997
    ‘I Am the Cheese’, published in 1975, made it to the five annual book lists and was adapted for a film later. In 1997, the publication won the ‘Phoenix Award’.
  • // 1991
    In 1991, he won the Margaret A. Edwards Award of the American Library Association in recognition of his body of work, which helped young adults grow and understand themselves. ‘I am the Cheese’ was cited as one of the books ‘taken to heart by young adults over a period of time’.
  • // 1997 To 1998
    He also authored ‘Tenderness’ in 1997 and a year later published the thriller, ‘Heroes’.
  • // 2000
    His last work of fiction, ‘The Rag and Bone Shop’ was published posthumously in 2001.
  • // 2nd Nov 2000
    He passed away due to lung cancer.

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Robert Cormier's FAQ

  • What is Robert Cormier birthday?

    Robert Cormier was born at 1925-01-17

  • When was Robert Cormier died?

    Robert Cormier was died at 2000-11-02

  • Where was Robert Cormier died?

    Robert Cormier was died in Boston

  • Which age was Robert Cormier died?

    Robert Cormier was died at age 75

  • Where is Robert Cormier's birth place?

    Robert Cormier was born in Leominster

  • What is Robert Cormier nationalities?

    Robert Cormier's nationalities is American

  • Who is Robert Cormier spouses?

    Robert Cormier's spouses is Constance Senay

  • Who is Robert Cormier childrens?

    Robert Cormier's childrens is Roberta Sullivan

  • What was Robert Cormier universities?

    Robert Cormier studied at Leominster High School, Fitchburg State College

  • What is Robert Cormier's religion?

    Robert Cormier's religion is Roman Catholic

  • Who is Robert Cormier's father?

    Robert Cormier's father is Lucien Joseph

  • Who is Robert Cormier's mother?

    Robert Cormier's mother is Irma M. Cormier

  • What is Robert Cormier's sun sign?

    Robert Cormier is Capricorn

  • How famous is Robert Cormier?

    Robert Cormier is famouse as American author