Tenderness (novel)

Tenderness is a 1997 novel written by Robert Cormier.^[1] It is the basis for John Polson's 2008 film of the same name.^[2]

Plot

Eric Poole is a convicted teenage serial killer. Lorelei "Lori" Cranston is a troubled 15 year old girl.

Lori is described as a beautiful girl with a very mature body at a young age. Consequently she must constantly deal with the wanted and unwanted sexual attention she receives from men.

As a little boy in New England, Eric Poole already exhibited symptoms of a sociopath. Though the book does not clarify whether or not they were murdered first, Eric is tried for murder as a juvenile and convicted for murdering only his mother and stepfather, whom he hates. He explains he murdered his mother in resentment for marrying his stepfather.

Lori wakes up and realizes what has occurred, and she is scared but stayed with him anyway. The next day at a carnival Eric meets Maria. He attempts to murder her but Lori steps in and warns him that it is a set-up.

Supporting characters

Lieutenant Jake Proctor
Retired cop, now a detective. Proctor labeled Eric a psychopath and a monster incapable of feeling. Proctor doubts Eric's accusations of abuse and strongly suspects Eric of having committed at least two other murders. The two seem to like each other but are ultimately at cross purposes. Proctor takes Eric's case personally, as 20 years before he let another young man, who resembles Eric and also suspected of murder, go free when he had equally strong doubts. Now Proctor is determined to prove Eric’s guilt and put and bring him to justice, this time as an adult. Proctor hopes this will put an end to his nightmares of murder victims denied justice that keep him up at night.

Aunt Phoebe
A well-dressed, never married, and attractive woman, Eric's aunt is also the owner of the parrot murdered at Eric’s hands. She offers Eric a place to stay once he is released from the facility.

Maria Valdez
The beautiful dark-haired, dark-eyed Hispanic girl who fits the usual look of Eric's victims. She gives Eric her number while in the facility and later meets him at the state fair. She is revealed to be working with police.

Jimmy
The young cop who helps Proctor catch Eric in the act, whether real or framed.

Sonny Boy
Sweet Lefty's torturer and resident bully at the facility.

Sweet Lefty
An easygoing and usually well-liked inmate who is bullied by other inmates but "rescued" by Eric.

Ross Packer
A young reporter at the Wickburg Telegram who writes the Ms. Anonymous piece on Lori that Eric later reads.

Gary
One of the nicer men that Lori's mom has dated. Gary also feels attracted to Lori.

Dexter
An ex of Lori's mother who beat her, giving her a black eye and then fled soon afterward.

Mr. Clayton
The driver of the van who picks up Lori when she hitchhikes and succumbs to her seductions. Lori steals his wallet and decides to mail it back to him, but she never does because it is later stolen from her.

Phyllis Kendall
A beautiful old woman with white hair who is also the caretaker and mentor at the teen pregnancy center, Harmony House.

Mrs. Hornsby
An out of place cook at the teen pregnancy center, Harmony House.

Debbie
An exceptionally big pregnant teen at Harmony House.

Chantelle
Another very pregnant teen girl.

Tiffany
A frail tiny girl who is also Lori's rival, she tries to frame her for theft at Harmony House.

Rory
Leader of a gang.

Crystal
A plump girl who is a member of the gang, later becomes pregnant, and attends Harmony House teen pregnancy center

Bantam
A skinny little kid who wants to act tough and is also part of the gang

References