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Tenderness Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,450 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Best-selling author Robert Cormier's suspenseful and masterfully told novel takes bold steps into some of the most difficult topical territory ever conceived for young adult fiction. Booklist praises this "mesmerizing plunge into the mind of a psychopathic teen killer that is both deeply disturbing and utterly compelling."
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"I've read what others have to say about this book, and for that reason, Tenderness is quite difficult to explain. I absolutely wanted to hate the story line because it was creepy and almost perverted. Two teens seeking two different types of needs. Lori just wants to be loved for herself and not her body, while Eric, just released from prison, finds pleasure in planning the deaths of his next victims. You expect to hate Eric because he has murdered three girls, his mother, and his step father. Your thoughts may tell you that Eric deserves whatevers coming to him, but I ended up feeling sympathetic for him. I wanted him and Lori to last. You can tell at then end that Eric has had a change of heart. As odd as it may sound I found myself wanting to give Eric another chance even though he is obviously the bad guy. The end was astonishing. I was left awestruck and saddened to know that Eric will suffer for a crime he never could commit."
— Michelle (5 out of 5 stars)
Tenderness Listener Reviews
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" this book was really good. I really felt empathy for the girl. not what I expected "
— Dania, 2/13/2014 -
" It was so bizarre but enjoyable. Would've liked a different outcome for the end but it wasn't bad. "
— Jacki, 2/3/2014 -
" For a teen book, this is incredibly subversive. And awesome! Creepy story of a young runaway who crosses paths with a teenage sociopath recently released from a juvenile facility after serving time for killing his mother and stepfather. The ensuing relationship is totally bizarre, yet incredibly affecting. Cormier is a great author, and I think this may be my favorite of his books for the sheer audacity he had in writing it. Rock on. "
— Lkj, 1/27/2014 -
" The characters in this Cormier novel-- Eric Poole, a teenage serial killer, and Lori Cranston, a troubled 15 year old girl who uses her mature body to get what she wants-- immediately alert the reader to the complications and trouble that will occur within. Cormier certainly doesn't avoid tough subjects as he explores Eric's inner thoughts, and the unexpected relationship that results as Lori becomes obsessed with a killer. The dark and chilling nature of the book is further enhanced as each character searches for his or her own perverted version of "tenderness," and the novel ends with neither triumph nor despair. Although I was unable to really narrow down how I feel about this book, it stuck with me and it is certainly a book for any person, like me, who is interested in the human mind. I would recommend this book to high school aged adolescents and adults. "
— Janelle, 1/25/2014 -
" Who doesn't like a book with a teenage serial killer and a girl who is infatuated with him? The author's portrait of the psychopathic boy is very interesting. Like other of Cormier's books, don't expect a happy ending, but don't think you know what's going to happen, because it will likely be something totally different from what you think. Very quick and compelling reading. For middle school and up. "
— Terry, 1/23/2014 -
" Some serial killer books put you in the shoes of a serial killer, few ever put you in the shoes of someone who loves a serial killer. This book is so eye-opening and amazing in many ways. "
— Rachel, 1/17/2014 -
" Cormier always shows us a part of society and personalities that we may never have encountered. This time the life of a teenage serial killer and a teenage girl who looks for love and affection in the strangest of places. Good young adult book. "
— Dana, 1/8/2014 -
" FANTASTIC MARVELOUS EXCELLENT INDESCRIBABLE The best book ever written.MUST read IT!!!!!! "
— Ms., 1/4/2014 -
" This book had kind of a creepy vibe to, but one of the main characters was creepy so you would expect it to. Overall it was good. "
— Leah, 12/25/2013 -
" Did not care for this book. "
— Yvette, 12/14/2013 -
" AMAZING!!! my favorite book of ALL time "
— Hansika, 11/21/2013 -
" Oh my God this book was the best book in the world! "
— Lauren, 7/28/2013 -
" This book haunted me for months afterwards. "
— Rebecca, 6/7/2013 -
" Book on CD. Very interesting subject. The point of view and subject were actually handled pretty well, but still a little hard to take. "
— Brenda, 12/5/2012 -
" This is one of the weirdest books I've ever read (and actually liked). It definitely plays with your moral code. I don't recommend it for young readers or for the faint of heart. "
— Drucilla, 10/30/2012 -
" Definitely harsh subject matter for a YA book. I hated The Chocolate Wars so I wasn't expecting to like Tenderness, but I did. I cared about the characters, all of them. I would recommend this. "
— Jene, 1/9/2012 -
" I read this book cover to cover in one sitting. I honestly could not put it down. I just had to know what happened next. I loved this book up till the ending. I like the fact that it didn't end how you would assume. But I still found the ending a let down. "
— Lisa, 8/7/2011 -
" One of the better Cormier books. Quick read. "
— Pyles, 5/27/2011 -
" This book was good, but it had an eerie feel to it. "
— Hannah, 5/8/2011 -
" This book was strange and twisted on so many levels but it was also very good. "
— Sunny19, 4/10/2011 -
" Creepy! This is a very twisted story of a murderer and his prey. You'll love this if you like dark stories. "
— Ms.Atack, 2/24/2011 -
" Some serial killer books put you in the shoes of a serial killer, few ever put you in the shoes of someone who loves a serial killer. This book is so eye-opening and amazing in many ways. "
— Rachel, 2/22/2011 -
" I decided to stop reading this book because I don't really like this book and it's kinda boring. "
— Sammy, 2/12/2011 -
" Told with horrible truth. <br/>I am in love with these characters! "
— Emma, 1/26/2011 -
" weird. interesting. full of suspense. And what a surprizing ending. "
— Stephanie, 1/14/2011 -
" well i read half of the book. i couldn't bring myself to read more. this book is kind of weird!people talking about tenderness in a freakish way! but the way the script goes is good. plus its a small book so you can check it out! but i don't recommend it! "
— Khalida, 12/16/2010
About Robert Cormier
Robert Cormier (1925–2000) received the 1999 Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring his lifetime contribution to writing for teens.
About Jennifer Ikeda
Jennifer Ikeda has been narrating audiobooks since 2002. Among her readings are When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park; Just Listen by Sarah Dessen; and After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away by Joyce Carol Oates. She has won six AudioFile Earphones Awards.