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therulerofallfrogs's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m not one to hand out five star ratings like bread to ducks, but this is one book I didn’t have to second guess for a moment.
Most people read the Outsiders in middle school, but I was only introduced to the book in January of this year. (For context, I’m about to graduate my junior year in high school as of writing this). Since first reading it in two or so sittings, I’ve now read it four more times in five months (twice for personal enjoyment, twice aloud to two different siblings, and once for a style study). I have never connected so quickly with a set of characters, nor truly felt with them the way I did in this book.
The plot was definitely simple, but it was fast paced and I wasn’t bored for a second. The characters as well as their development and dynamics were truly the highlight of the book, however. The main character, Ponyboy, is an engaging narrator full of real life feelings and goals and anxieties. I find myself to be very picky with main characters, particularly in first person books, particularly YOUNG characters in first person books- but he had me interested since page one.
The rest of the gang are full of life as well. I was particularly fond of Sodapop and Dallas. Soda, a joyful boy with a spring in his step and a true excitement for life, added a well needed dose of optimism and warmth to such an emotional story. (Though, as we learn, he has his own major struggles lying underneath the surface.) Dallas is the opposite, he is a cold character with a hostility born from a horrid childhood and a lack of love and empathy from those who had raised him. Yet, even he held love in his heart. Spoilers ahead.Dally’s relationship with the Johnny was the only reason I cried during this book. Their connection was my favorite character dynamic by far, and I swear it hurt me.
The whole way through The Outsiders, I was laughing and contemplating and tearing up. The fact that this book is assigned to middle schoolers and managed such a feat astounds me. (This is coming from someone who has to force their way through YA most of the time, I hate being talked down to). I felt as if the narration was a teenager speaking to himself, not an adult speaking to a teenager in a superior or condescending manner. Of course, some of this has to do with the author’s age.
You can expect my utter surprise upon finding out that while writing this story, S.E. Hinton was a girl around my age. (Much less that she was a girl at all!) As a young writer, I am thoroughly inspired, and can say with full certainty that this book has changed my life. It has empowered me to write with such new vigor and excitement.
I’m truly glad my mom recommended The Outsiders to me while we skimmed through a little library. It’s the first good book I’ve ever found in one, and it’s most certainly the first that has tampered with my worldview.
Most people read the Outsiders in middle school, but I was only introduced to the book in January of this year. (For context, I’m about to graduate my junior year in high school as of writing this). Since first reading it in two or so sittings, I’ve now read it four more times in five months (twice for personal enjoyment, twice aloud to two different siblings, and once for a style study). I have never connected so quickly with a set of characters, nor truly felt with them the way I did in this book.
The plot was definitely simple, but it was fast paced and I wasn’t bored for a second. The characters as well as their development and dynamics were truly the highlight of the book, however. The main character, Ponyboy, is an engaging narrator full of real life feelings and goals and anxieties. I find myself to be very picky with main characters, particularly in first person books, particularly YOUNG characters in first person books- but he had me interested since page one.
The rest of the gang are full of life as well. I was particularly fond of Sodapop and Dallas. Soda, a joyful boy with a spring in his step and a true excitement for life, added a well needed dose of optimism and warmth to such an emotional story. (Though, as we learn, he has his own major struggles lying underneath the surface.) Dallas is the opposite, he is a cold character with a hostility born from a horrid childhood and a lack of love and empathy from those who had raised him. Yet, even he held love in his heart. Spoilers ahead.
The whole way through The Outsiders, I was laughing and contemplating and tearing up. The fact that this book is assigned to middle schoolers and managed such a feat astounds me. (This is coming from someone who has to force their way through YA most of the time, I hate being talked down to). I felt as if the narration was a teenager speaking to himself, not an adult speaking to a teenager in a superior or condescending manner. Of course, some of this has to do with the author’s age.
You can expect my utter surprise upon finding out that while writing this story, S.E. Hinton was a girl around my age. (Much less that she was a girl at all!) As a young writer, I am thoroughly inspired, and can say with full certainty that this book has changed my life. It has empowered me to write with such new vigor and excitement.
I’m truly glad my mom recommended The Outsiders to me while we skimmed through a little library. It’s the first good book I’ve ever found in one, and it’s most certainly the first that has tampered with my worldview.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Violence, Classism, Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Child death, Addiction, Blood, Police brutality, Sexism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, and Racial slurs
Minor: Car accident and Abandonment
vavocado's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
diana_0417's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book makes you think back on friend and family relationships. Although the family in this novel is not a typical type of family I could come around, descriptions and events made me feel related. I was able to feel connected to the characters that I felt grief running down at the end of the book (It got me sobbing which I don't do very often) For me, the book felt strange at some of the points, because the occasions taking place aren't common around my area of life. However, happenings related to themes like loyalty, friendship, and family are heartbreaking. It was a few chapters that made me continue reading. For example, how the characters sacrifice each other for loyalty makes you feel amazed and heartwarming. As a person who enjoys reading literary devices and symbols, this novel deliberately delivers significant messages through meaningful and emotional events that allow you to think throughout the chapters. Each character in the novel is unique and has an individuality that piques my interest to want to know more, compared to other books that I've read. Events that held me were rescuing the kids from the fire, and Ponyboy says, "I didn't have fear" just whirled me with such diverse emotions and thought back to my life "Have I ever had this kind of experience?". Themes such as social division are not topics that are mentioned and told in real life, but going through this book gives you a chance to think about a situation of struggle and class differences. Relationships formed within characters are closely tied together. In my experience, I have never had this kind of vulnerable relationship in life, so reading this story taught me emotions that could occur in the name of loyalty. The mood of this book is friendly but dark so it allows you to think seriously on theme matter. Also, the author's choice of putting the poem interested me in reading his other works. The ending is a little bit forgetful because it was kind of an expected ending. However, I liked that it tied the beginning and the ending together, usually when you reach the end of the book you forget how it started, but it ended in an opposite way so it got me thinking back on changes of my thoughts and perspectives as the story progressed. Again, the thing that I like about “The Outsider” is exploring a topic that is sort of controversial and not held so lightly, I have not got to read those kinds of books that often, and even though I do, I was hesitant to make give my thoughts but this book is set in a friendly easy-going way that I felt comfortable and got to think more about the themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Gun violence
Moderate: Child death and Drug use
Minor: Alcohol
kiwichill's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was made into an iconic movie when I was a teenager. The themes of brotherhood, loyalty and social standing are still relevant today. Life is precious and can be gone in the blink of an eye, something the characters are well aware of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical content, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Car accident, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Body shaming, and Cursing
skyeshark1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Child death, Alcohol, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Child abuse, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Murder, Gun violence, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Grief
katreena's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Grief, Classism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, War, and Vomit
daisha101's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
The Outsiders was never on any of my school reading lists and I never felt compelled to pick it up on my own until now. As much as I've heard about this book, I had no idea what it was about (what a shock for me). It's in between a 3 and a 4 for me because while I enjoyed the ending and the relationships between the characters, I was forcing my way through each chapter. It wasn't a page turner that I couldn't put down, but it wasn't a bad book either. I liked it well enough, but it's not a favorite for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
dewalt335's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
From the jump this book gave me West Side Story vibes!
It seems as if everyone I know read the book in high school (my brother did which is why I have it) but the curriculum switched before I got to read it.
I COMPLETELY understand why this book is considered a classic because it’s timeless. Unfortunately in our society, there will always be “haves” and “have-nots”. Also, I think it adds to the appeal that the author was the same age as the characters when she wrote the book because who understands kids/teens more than each other?!
It really was a great read and I’m glad I dove into it.
It seems as if everyone I know read the book in high school (my brother did which is why I have it) but the curriculum switched before I got to read it.
I COMPLETELY understand why this book is considered a classic because it’s timeless. Unfortunately in our society, there will always be “haves” and “have-nots”. Also, I think it adds to the appeal that the author was the same age as the characters when she wrote the book because who understands kids/teens more than each other?!
It really was a great read and I’m glad I dove into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
chelseeaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
cadybooks's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Child death, Classism, Racial slurs, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail