Reviews with content warning for Addiction - The Outsiders

Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

20 reviews

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.

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zephyrus127's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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cadybooks's review against another edition

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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

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jeremie's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful fast-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

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itsjadenbaby's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-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? No

5.0

I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. I always struggle reading things that have a lot of hype around them. I’m lucky I found this book in a used book sale for really cheap to give me the push to buy and read it. The characters are well-developed and so very lovable. The plot kept me engaged and was just the right amount of sad but hopeful. I will definitely be keeping this one on my shelves.

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smallish_bird's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

One of my all-time favorites; first read as assigned reading in 7th grade and revisited after Yhara Zayd's YouTube excellent mini video essay reminded me of its existence. I'm a sucker for 1st person PoV books that explore both its PoV character's as well as its other characters' perspective in a nuanced and compassionate way. I dig its focus on platonic and familial love (aroace win), as well as how safe it feels in many regards despite how bleak the characters' situations are -- the horror is found within the isolation of circumstance, childhood, poverty, and capitalism, not so much in the cruelty of any of the characters.
Cannot fathom that this was written by a high school student; S. E. Hinton joins Mary Shelly in being a teenager when they wrote books that I now hold dear to my heart.

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