Robert Cormier - After the First Death

The most striking feature of Cormier's After the First Death, is how it unabashedly confronts its subject matter with lack of censorship or reserve. Essentially, the novel deals with terrorism, murder, suicide, loss as well as several other mature points. The question is not whether the novel is inappropriate in its subjects but rather it is appropriate for its intended audience. I would argue that, yes, it is appropriate. 

Cormier is essentially showing other authors that young adults can in fact handle these mature themes. Death and grief are not simply facts of life which appear upon turning a certain adult age. These matters know no age limits and many young adults could very well be dealing with such personal matters. Also, if the reader has been sheltered from these facts, perhaps it is time they are introduced to them by a qualified and talented writer.

When dealing with the nature of appropriateness in topic matter, I see the progression over time like getting into a hot tub. One will first stick their foot in, let the body acclimate, then maybe slide in up to their knees and wait. Eventually, move by move, the person is able to get into the hot water because it lets their body gradually get used to it. Surely with every new move there is a temporary burn but eventually the body adapts. This is how I see writers like Cormier dealing with mature themes in YA literature. A book like After the First Death which deals with mature themes is like moving into the water up to your waist. It may sting at first because of its newness, but the body adapts and then desires to delve further into the water. Similarly, Cormier may have burned the YA literature world temporarily, but soon authors took after him and explored into the subject matter further as they began to immerse the rest of the body that is YA literature.