Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

16 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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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

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.

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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

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

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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

inirac's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Bullying, Grief, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Alcohol

Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic friendship, Blood, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, and Murder

Minor: Cursing and Vomit

theenbybookworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

3.25

WARNING : PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN READING THIS BOOK!!! AT THE VERY LEAST, PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS BELOW!!! MAY CONTAIN SENSITIVE TOPICS TO CERTAIN READERS!!!
I generally enjoyed the book. Perhaps it was how I read it - it was required for my 8th grade English class -, but I feel like I might have enjoyed it more had I had better circumstances to read it under. Nonetheless, it is a very heartfelt and deep story. My favorite character was definitely Johnny - I love a good character-development. Overall, would recommend to someone who likes morals and angstier(?) stories about living in a difficult situation.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Classism, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Child death

Moderate: Gore, Drug use, Death of parent, Cursing, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Police brutality

Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, and Domestic abuse

So many things that people need to be cautious about with this book.

The death of 3+ people are described in quite a bit of detail. This would be Johnny (who died from injuries of the fire), Dally (who generally went crazy after Johnny died and proceeded to make him an obvious target for police - essentially committing suicide), and Bob (who we had the description of his dead body and the aftermath quite clearly, as it is a main focus).

Evident Drug Use and Alcohol Use from multiple characters. Lots of Street and Gun Violence. Please be careful and aware before you read this.

jonssweater's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, Child death, Murder, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Blood, Bullying, Gun violence, and Death of parent

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

mikeymara's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I greatly enjoyed this book. It’s quick and short, read it during a road trip and now am going to buy it to read it again. I loved the characters and their relationship. Greatly recommend, fun ending twist.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Classism, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Bullying, Murder, Alcohol, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Medical content

beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book had me confused and conflicted about what the characters were thinking and why they made the decisions that they did. Particularly Ponyboy.

And I kind of spoiled myself by looking up clips from the film version, which was something I really should have avoided doing. 

But ultimately I felt that the ending saved it.

Sorry this review is a bit weird, I'm typing it from my phone, I might update it at a later date.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Misogyny, and Police brutality

Minor: Racial slurs, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, and Racism

Details to come.

ellewoodsfanclub's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, and Blood

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Vomit, and Emotional abuse

suchaslay47's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, and Child death

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Vomit