This is a book out of the ordinary for Cormier, but up to par to say the least. He takes a break from writing wonderful young-adult fiction and compiles his writing from his columns in newspapers around the country. These short stories range from his memories as a child to his memories of becoming a parent and grandparent. He relates the feelings that all of us feel in the words that most of us wish we could say. This book will touch your heart and soul.

I really enjoyed the book 'I Have Words to Spend'. I am very interested in Robert Cormier and have read most of his books, but Words to Spend showed a side of him that I never knew. Did you know that he once went through the car wash at 50 miles an hour, that his favorite word is cellophane (pronounced slowly: cel-lo-phane), or that he worries because his handwriting looks like that of a schizophrenic's? Reading this book was like looking through a window into the life of Robert Cormier, my mentor, author extraordinaire. I can just hear the words being spoken in his old, leathery voice, enthralling me with every page. One of these days I ought to go down to the Fitchburg Library and read the rest of those columns...

Opening this book is like opening a window into the life of author Robert Cormier. We find out about his childhood memories, favorite movies, family interactions, and travels. We see Cormier the journalist, who wrote every one of the columns in this book on deadline while juggling the responsibilities of also being a newspaper editor. The columns made me laugh at one turn and cry at the next. He has a way of finding something extraordinary in the everyday details of life. This is a perfect book to keep by your bed to savor over time. I find myself returning to it over and over again. The introductory comments by Cormier's wife are refreshing and give a glimpse of the wonderful relationship they seem to share. Fans of Cormier's work ought to enjoy this book as much as those who are not familiar with his other work. I'd highly recommend that everyone treat themselves to "I Have Words to Spend".

This book by Malcolm Knopp and Robert Cormier is destined to be a fishing classic. The pair has provided research and usable information on maylfy identification, insect behavior during their life stages, imitative patterns and fishing technique pointers.

I have modified my fishing techniques to match the behaviours noted in the book.

I have also found it very useful in making flies that work on hard fished eastern waters.

The first book I know of that combines practical entemology (geared specifically to the angler) with up-to-date patterns, and methods of fishing them. The nearest thing to it in spirit is "Caddisflies". Should be in every serious flyfisher's collection!

I first read this book a few years ago and was impressed by the author's detailing of Robert Cormier's career intertwined with his novels (much is devoted to The Chocolate War). Well worth reading. Hopefully the author, Patricia Campbell, will write a revised version soon.

This is NOT your typical biography. I read it this morning, expecting it to start out: Robert Cormier was born on January 17, 1925 in Leominster, Massachusetts... Not so! Quite the contrary. The book began intriguingly and held me to the last page. I learned a lot about Robert Cormier, who is my favorite author. I hold him in very high esteem and this book made me love him more. There were also chapters about his books, and the ones about I am the Cheese and After the First Death were very helpful in getting me to understand those two very confusing novels. 'Presenting Robert Cormier' was also very funny at times, such as when it described Robert deliberately tripping and falling flat on his face in front of an audience of high-schoolers so they could see that he was human and not be afraid of him. I can see Robert doing that, and it is very funny. Another thing I liked: the part in the back about the movie versions of his books I am the Cheese and The Chocolate War. Did you know that Robert Cormier himself played a role in one? In conclusion I find this a very interesting, funny, informative book. Well done!

I've read all of Robert Cormier's young adult books, but I didn't know what to expect of this, one of his few books written for the adult audience. It was pretty well-written, I guess. Alph LeBlanc is dying of lung cancer. He knows and his family knows, but they are in denial; trying to hide it from each other. Alph is in his late fifties and has a wife and some grown children. The book covered a lot of stuff: his love for his kids, the tragic death of his three-year-old daughter, his feelings towards his family in general, memories of his life. It was pretty gloomy, but I guess that's to be expected -- I mean, the book was about death and dying. All in all a good book, though I prefer his young adult ones.

This book was chosin in a book club at my school as the next book to read. I thought when I first saw it that it was small so it would probably be pretty boring, but easy to read. After I had begun to read it I found that it was anything but boring. Many different things occur that are mysterious or hard to understand. After reading the book within a couple of hours I had a couple of questions that lingered in my mind about it, with several different answeres that I could think up. When we were all done my club hada group discussion and answered some of those questions. I reccomend this book just because it is so mysterious yet easy to read. ~4 stars~

Magnificent sights, sounds, smells, and emotions; all intertwined into one book, written in verse. A young male, one extremely eminent summer. Many different memories, some more outstanding than others.

Eugene, pushing his way through a summer in the 1930's in the book Frenchtown Summer by Robert Cormier.

A summer of new experiences: his first love, interesting conversations with friends, arguments with fiends, dealing with death, and the airplane, being the most outstanding. Throughout the story, Eugene complains of how he feels "like a ghost on Mechanic Street, transparent as rain..." especially to his father, who rarely paid attention to him. The airplane represents the stretch between him and his father contracting.

"First, a wink of color, orange, in the corner of my eyes, at the far end of an alley between two three-deckers." Eugene finally, vividly, describes (like the rest of the chapters) the airplane. "...I tossed my paper bag to the sidewalk and followed the flash of orange to a backyard where I saw, unbelievably, and airplane, orange, yes, with lightning streaks of white on the fuselage..." Eugene thinks that the airplane has landed in a back yard of someone in Frenchtown, but no one believes him. His father then mentions it, and Eugene is enthused by his father seeing it as well.

If looking from above into someone else's life from a different time period than today, not to mention the wonderful details of everything, from Eugene's new glasses, to his 'silent uncle' interests you then I would suggest Frenchtown Summer to you.

I decided to read this book for a young adult literature class and was quite pleased to read a unique piece of work from Robert Cormier. In comparison to other stories I have read, The Chocolate War and Heroes, Frenchtown Summer is not tell a dark story, but is intricately shadowed with secrets and tragedy.

The story follows a young 12-year old boy named Eugene during the summer of his first paper route. Eugene spends the summer in search of his identity (a common theme among many teens) and finds him self in need of approval from his father. Eugene also discovers a desire for adventure and through this learns deep secrets about his family.

Although this book was a quick read, it should be read several times as it written in poetic verse. The pages are open and allow for the imagination to visualize the story as it unfolds. I particularly enjoyed this story because Eugene reminded me somewhat of myself at that age. Frenchtown Summer was defiantly one of Robert's most unique stories.

This has been so inspiring and a joy to read. The short chapters are easy to absorb. Hope to see more of Father Robert's works SOON!

Fr. Bob's book was written with everyone in mind. It is easy to read and thought-provoking. Each chapter can be read in just a few minutes and yet provides enough material for meditation throughout an entire day.

Questions are raised that, when reflected upon, lead the reader to a better understanding of the real meaning of life. This, in turn, brings about a sense of peace and joy that so many of us seek daily.

I've shared the book with friends, family members and co-workers who are looking for help with their faith. I highly recommend it as a reference book in any personal library.

Finally a book that people of all religions, races, and ages can relate to. This book has become my instruction manual for life. Often people feel that they ask God for guidance and he doesn't seem to be answering them. This is not true at all. Through this book you will find the answers you are looking for. You will learn that God has given us many things to help us get through life one day at a time, you just have to look for them. My copy of this book is filled with post-it notes that mark the sections I need to constantly refer back to. With all honesty I can say that this book has changed my life and when ever I am in a rut I can turn to it to remind myself of God's plan. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a better life through faith and have given it over and over again as a gift.

In this psychological thriller, Cormier takes us on a journey with two young adults seeking "Tenderness" in their own ways. For Lori Cranston, it is the search for unconditional love, security, & respect--concepts she only dreams of as her dysfunctional mother drags her from town to town and from abusive boyfriend to abusive boyfriend. For Eric Poole, the eighteen year old who serial killer who has murdered his mother and step-father under the guise that he has been abused, as well as killing 3 teenage girls for pleasure, " tenderness" becomes the obsession of control that he has over a human life just before he kills. When these two characters come together, Cormier weaves a tale of suspense with an ironic ending neither expected or even hoped for. Although neither character is very likable in the beginning, by the end of the novel, both Lori and Eric are somewhat sympathetic as Cormier subtlely reveals more and more exposition of the character's backgrounds. What is so disturbing about this book is the knowledge that in the real world, there are probably real people who are just as chilling as these two characters. In Tenderness, it's the realism that is so repugnant.

Cormier's books are representations of realism; and that usually makes him a target of censors, and or controversy. Once again, he weaves a story of struggle, and it ends up an unsuccessful struggle. I enjoy Cormier's books because they have twists and don't have happy endings...the world is filled with dragons, and we better be prepared for them. Some of these dragons give us undesirable endings.

The quotation in the summary is from Mary Shelley, and the ending reads...he only mistakes it for happiness..." Keep that in mind as you read or think about the book.

You will either hate or find you self feeling sorry for Eric, and that is what Cormier wants, he wants you to identify with the character and have strong feelings...if not the book fails. It is ironic that we find sympathy for a serial killer, but that is not the only irony in the novel.

Keep in mind that "Lori" is short for "Lorelei", a German maiden who lured sailors to shipwreck on the rocks of the Rhine River. How fitting!

Enjoy this book, and read Cormier's The Chocolate War...the novel that is a study in conformity and cruelty.

Cormier's books are representations of realism; and that usually makes him a target of censors, and or controversy. Once again, he weaves a story of struggle, and it ends up an unsuccessful struggle. I enjoy Cormier's books because they have twists and don't have happy endings...the world is filled with dragons, and we better be prepared for them. Some of these dragons give us undesirable endings.

The quotation in the summary is from Mary Shelley, and the ending reads...he only mistakes it for happiness..." Keep that in mind as you read or think about the book.

You will either hate or find you self feeling sorry for Eric, and that is what Cormier wants, he wants you to identify with the character and have strong feelings...if not the book fails. It is ironic that we find sympathy for a serial killer, but that is not the only irony in the novel.

Keep in mind that "Lori" is short for "Lorelei", a German maiden who lured sailors to shipwreck on the rocks of the Rhine River. How fitting!

Enjoy this book, and read Cormier's The Chocolate War...the novel that is a study in conformity and cruelty.

I read this book because it's by Robert Cormier--who generally writes great, psychological novels for young adults. I've read three other of his books, "I am the Cheese", "The Chocolate War", and one other book of his that deals with a hijacked school bus and hostage situation. I enoyed all three of these novels when I was in middle and high school. So I was dissapointed when I read 'Fade'. Being a young _adult_ now, I still found the story to be very cynical and morbid. I liken it to a hokey Stephen King story but not as hackneyed and a bit better done. The story started out okay, and got progressively worse. I guess if your tastes run to the more 'hardened and mature' and dark this book is for you. However, even the story line had a few snags. For a while the story just putters around with a lot of description of a very small, quiet town and the lonely main protaganist. Then it gets choppy with an abrupt change of narration, which I found to be annoying. I'm not sure how this story is supposed to be for young adults (15-17 year age range, right?). If you are a parent or adult relative looking for a book for a teen, do not buy this. There are many better novels, and many other novels that deal with sex, obsession, and murder in a more insightful and meaningful way than this. The ending of the story was cliche and predictable to say the least. The only reason I'm not giving this just one star is because it has a few redeeming qualities. I read the entire thing, so it must not be boring. Even though the atmosphere is decidely 'down' if not downright depressing, I can understand why other reviewers called this novel 'sensitive'. It doesn't glorify violence or sex and does deal with desire and in a larger sense with humanity and what makes us human (or inhuman) I would not recommend this book to anyone. If you buy a Cormier book, try 'The Chocolate War' instead.

Robert Cormier's unique knack for capturing the turmoil of adolescence (and to a lesser extent adulthood) with a haunting sense of melancholy is displayed perfectly in this beautiful novel.

The book focuses on Paul, a boy who discovers he can "fade," or become invisible; a gift inherited from his uncle and passed on to Paul's future nephew. Paul sees it as a useful feature, but the things he sees while in the Fade shock and disturb him, alienating his from his friends, causing him to view the world in a different way. The bits narrated by Sally, the interlude by Paul's cousin, and the Olly section at the end are all well done and spice up the plot, but it's Paul's narration that I find most fascinating.

The author hasn't written a fantasy novel, he uses the fade to expand the idea of coming to terms with change and the pain suffered because of this supernatural ability. Just as Cormier exaggerated the search for identity in I Am The Cheese, he seems to use the fade as a metaphor for growing up. The initial delight, the confusion and disgust towards the things that corrupt innocent eyes, the weary character that emerges... all seem to link to the author's recurring theme of adolescence.

As usual, the characters conjured up are memorable and unique, and I love the way Paul's cousin casts them in different lights and adds a new dimension, challenging us to choose who we believe.
Aside from Paul, Olly is probably the boy that I remember most vividly; Paul's nephew who inherited the fade. Unwanted, he goes through life lonely and rejected, loved only by the nun that takes pity on him. When he discovers his ability to Fade, he sees it as a great tool and a secret only he knows, but soon becomes paranoid that people know about "his secret" and plan to conspire against him. His conscience wrestles with the voice inside his head, encouraging him to kill the few people who take an interest in his sorry life.

Haunting, gorgeous... All in all, a perfect book. Well worth your time and money.

I thought that Fade was a great story. I have read two other books by Robert Cormier, The Bumblebee Flies Anyway and Heroes, both are excellently written, just like Fade. I felt like I was Paul, that I could fade and that I had to deal with the problems that came with it. I really enjoyed hearing Susan, Paul's editor, and Susan's grandfather talk about their views on the story, and I even felt like they were real people. I was sad about how Paul's nephew dealt with the fade, but I knew deep in my heart that some people would use the fade that way. This story dealt with some issues that are hard to face and understand from the outside, but this book took me inside those issues, therefore I now understand them better. I wouldn't recommend this book to immature people, but to mature people who are ready to face real life issues.

Well, although I enjoy Robert Cormier's works, I must rate this one a four. Cormier , as usual, delved into the minds of the characters to the extreme, just as in the rest of his books. What I didn't like about We All Fall Down, however, was the lack of realism that is present in most of his other books. However, what saved this novel was the way in which Cormier presents both sides of the issue, which is a refreshing find in YA literature. All in all, this was a good book, but not his best.

I really enjoyed this book by Robert Cormier. The characters and the plot display the evil in our everyday life. However, I thought that some of the events seemed rather unrealistic. Cormier took many different plots and brought them together in unexpected and surprising ways. The book teaches lessons about regret, love, and loyalty. I think this is a book for mature readers. It taught one major lesson: every action recieves a consequence. This message was bold and understandable for all readers. In conclusion, I really enjoyed this book by Robert Cormier because it contained all the elements of a good, suspenseful, yet tragic novel.

Voila! Another incredible masterpiece by Robert Cormier, you might of asked youself why I gave a 100% rating for this novel the answer is simple; the plot is quite realistic, the characters are simple yet many can relate to them and finally the denoument: what can I say Cormier really knows how to wrap up a story even if most of his novels (Chocolate War, Fade, Beyond the Chocolate War...) have a sad yet surprising ending. If you are a mature reader you should not be offended by the subjects in this novel, alcholism and peer presure and I believe Robert treats these important subjects with dignity and respect. I pity the reader from seattle that put the book down after 20 pages, this novel is definetly a must read from cover to cover.

Beyond the Chocolate War continues the story of Jerry Renault, Roland Goober, Obie, Archie and the Vigils. Cormier's slightly gritty and truthful writing is a welcome change from the perfect worlds in many Young Adult books. He tells it like it is; the pressure of secret peer society, the need to belong in the world and the ever-tumultuous teen relationship. The sequel is definitely as good as its prequel, though I preferred the latter, and the addition of new and exciting characters such as Ray Bannister and Laurie Gundarson and a deeper probe into Jerry's injuries make this book suspenseful and disturbing as it looks closely into the face of evil. The plot twists and turns, with Cormier's mastery of the teenage fiction novel evident. Since this book was an easy read, exciting and full of adventure, I would definitely recommend it to teens and adults who enjoy suspenseful books.

The story of this highschool boy attending a private school is a wonderful sequel to The Chocolate War. I read this book quite some time after reading the first, yet I still understood it perfectly. Someone that has never picked up a Cormier novel in their lives would be able to understand it. It recaps all that happened in the last novel without becoming so it sounded like it was just summarizing the entire thing for you. He worked it in beautifully. This is also something I can relate to. So many people have been teased or bullied into doing something against their will in highschool that practically anyone can relate. Students can relate because they understand the situation so well, but it is advanced enough reading that an adult would enjoy it also.

This novel focuses on what occurs after the infamous Chocolate incident. Trinity was scarred by the event, in which cancer-like distortions ripple through the students. The entire school corrupts, and time ticks toward multiple plots of revenge directed at the Vigils, the faculty, and Archie Costello himself.

Cormier's characterizations are elaborated in this sequel, and you see different side to each student that you've never thought possible. Everyone has a dark side, a lust of blood. What made this book a winner was how Robert depicted everyone's mind. David Caroni's insanity was constructed in an absolute genius fashion.

However, it's complexity decreased it's appeal, and the intellectual brooding after I read the Chocolate War didn't happen as long as it did here. Still, an excellent "what-happens-afterward" story, but not as powerful as it's predessesor.