Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Outsiders

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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skyeshark1's review against another edition

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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

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kuzaico's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

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bookbowlchallenge's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense 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

3.5

This was my second read of The Outsiders - the first being in seventh grade at the age of 13 or 14 and now again as I approach the age of 30. I had hoped that the experience would feel new, or at least different, and this was indeed the case. Superficially at first, since many of the trivial details of the characters and plot were lost to my memory, but also in the deeper themes and complex emotions that arose while reading.

At 13, I found kinship in the character of Ponyboy, a troubled preteen, who due to no fault of his own, is a member of the outcasts of society and is a victim to a system that only perpetuates his misery. While that specific description wouldn't describe my upbringing (like, at all) I did relate to the feelings of 'life is unfair' and the petty frustrations that Ponyboy often expresses.

Now in my late twenties, I can only chuckle at Ponyboy, and through him, my former self. My present self sees Ponyboy as the older characters (such as Darrel) see him. Perhaps as my teacher or even the author sees him. He's just a child. He lives in a world of chaos, violence, and horror and yet still has the same trivial frustration and complaint with life that many 14 year olds do - feeling that you are not in control of your own life. A feeling that, at 14, is impossible to know is temporary and that everyone has felt it.

Overall the read was enjoyable. The plot was a bit extreme and simple, but the plot isn't what defines this book. What really makes this story special is the commentary that transcends the decade it was written. The 'Them vs Us'. The finding of purpose. The realization that we are all different and simultaneously all the same. The examples of masculinity in many forms. These are the themes that make The Outsiders timeless and, in my case, ageless.

3.5

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katreena's review against another edition

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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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