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cloe52's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
To be honest I didn’t expect the sudden death of the characters, and kids getting jumped. Although, since I have experience in being jumped in the past, It draws me in more and I could relate to the kids a little more than others would have. It was really sad that some of the main characters died, but I think because of those, I could be emotionally drawn into reading more.
I also liked the foreshadowing that was written from time to time. It made me excited or scared to read the next parts but without them I would have been a little bored.
The characters are all very different, they each have unique parts in the gang and that makes the group even stronger. I really love how the characters grew over time and learned to think more maturely. (especially ponyboy)
There was a lot to put in the theme identity, I think most of the book is just part of it. The kids go through a terrible traumatic experience but still know what their identity is and their identity is the most important part of their lives and relationships.
I have also seen a lot of cycles of violence. It’s something people can’t really help, someone who had experienced child abuse, sadly usually does it to theirs, bully victoms become bullies. Although I liked that ponyboy didn’t continue that and stayed the pure boy he always was.
Other than that I liked the way the story went really fast, it was also very fun to annotate. The story was somewhat realistic and believable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
_ili_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The novel's strength lies in its portrayal of authentic adolescent characters. At the center of this narrative stands Ponyboy, a young "greaser." Despite the stereotype associated with his leather-clad exterior, Ponyboy harbors intellectual depth. His affinity for literature and cinema adds intricate layers to his persona. Beyond Ponyboy, the ensemble of greasers—Johnny, Dally, and Two-Bit—each carries their own burdens. Their shared experiences forge unbreakable bonds, transcending societal divisions.
Through Ponyboy’s perspective, readers delve into universal struggles. The weight of familial expectations presses upon him, while the longing for acceptance tugs at his soul. His journey toward self-identity mirrors our shared inner battles. Amidst this backdrop, moral complexities emerge. Ponyboy grapples with questions of morality, loyalty, and the blurred lines that divide the greasers from the affluent socs. The pivotal event—the fatal encounter with a soc—ignites self-discovery and rebellion. What resonates most is the moral ambiguity—the blurry standards of good and evil. In reality, both greasers and socs possess virtues and flaws. When disputes arise, responsibility lies with all involved. This complexity sparks curiosity and invites contemplation.
The novel's enduring themes of class divisions, identity, and friendship resonate as powerfully today as they did in the 1960s. The message—that humanity shares fundamental experiences—holds true across generations, reminding us that our struggles and triumphs are not unique. As we witness the same sunsets, our differences fade, and bridges form, a timeless reminder of our shared humanity. The theme of 'outsiders' extends beyond the greasers; it encompasses anyone who doesn't neatly fit societal molds, a theme that remains relevant in our diverse world.
The bonds forged among the greasers—those forged in adversity—are not just a backdrop, but the heart of the story. Their loyalty to one another defies societal barriers, a testament to the power of human connection. The brotherhood they share becomes a beacon of hope in a world that often pits them against each other, a reminder of the strength we can find in each other. The mentorship between Johnny and Ponyboy, the sibling dynamics with Darry, and the camaraderie during the church hideout—all underscore the power of human connection, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Hinton's concise writing style keeps readers engaged. She doesn't squander words; each sentence resonates with emotional weight. The mood oscillates between gritty realism and moments of profound connection. The tone is both urgent and reflective. The novel's pacing mirrors the urgency of the greasers' lives, punctuated by quiet introspection.
Hinton's decision to tell the story from Ponyboy's perspective immerses us in the raw intensity of his experiences. By focusing on the greasers, she challenges us to see beyond stereotypes and recognize shared humanity. Her choice to avoid sentimentality adds authenticity to the narrative. The use of first-person narration allows readers to inhabit Ponyboy's mind, feeling the pulse of Tulsa's streets.
The novel's denouement leaves an indelible mark. As the sun sets on Ponyboy's world, we realize that the outsiders—the marginalized, the misunderstood—have stories worth telling. The ending isn't just about resolution; it's about the resilience of the human spirit.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime
Minor: Murder
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
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
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
underscoresyd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
sarasreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It took me long enough, but I've finally read this book! The narrative was simple, but engaging. In some ways it was telling that it was written by a teenager (like all of the physical descriptions of every character), but in other ways it was deep and seemed full of wisdom beyond the author's years. The depictions of PTSD and commentaries on classism and family conflicts were all excellent. It was probably going to be a 3.5 star read for me, but the very ending was clever and bumped it up for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
tiffgr1ff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Murder
jennmeadows13's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This might be a hot take, but I don't understand why this is so beloved. Is it impressive that S.E. Hinton wrote this while she was in high school? Yes, but her character development is lackluster and I found the character development to fall flat. When Johnny died in the hospital, I didn't feel any emotion. I always want a connection with the characters when I read a book. I just couldn't connect with Johnny or Dally, so their deaths didn't really impact me. Who knows? Maybe I am just a heartless bitch, but I was hoping to be more emotionally invested in these characters, especially since many friends encouraged me to read this with a box of tissues. One of the reasons that I think I couldn't connect with the characters as deeply was the sheer number of characters. For a 180-page book, there's quite the cast in this book. Most felt one-dimensional to me outside of Ponyboy. Also, it is BANANAS to me that Hinton decided to name two important characters Darry and Dally. Like what the actual hell? At times, it was confusing keeping the two boys apart. I know that many people read this while in high school. When I was younger, I might have connected to this more. However, now that I am in my thirties, I felt more connection to Darry as a fellow eldest sibling than anyone else in the book. I do recognize that this book was absolutely critical in paving the way for young adult fiction, so I still see value and importance in reading it. But for me personally...I won't be returning for a reread.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Blood, Death, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent