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claireelyse06's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is the book that most American middle school students read in school. I feel like that's just a collective experience we all have. I read this book in fifth grade. I remember that I liked it but didn't absolutely love it the way some people did. I read this book again because I'm going to see the musical in a couple of weeks. And holy mother of God I had no clue what I was missing out on. And now I am even more obsessed with the musical recording than I was before (sorry to the people who live with me for the person I am going to be for the next two or three months). Also, the finale for the musical just cuts even harder now, and it cut to begin with. If you love this book please give the cast recroding a chance. I've heard there have been some problematic changes between the book and the musical but I am still willing to give it a chance since Hinton approved of it (Don't read, spoiler: allegedly they cut out Steve Randle and Dally jumps in front of a train instead of getting shot by the police).
First of all, what is incredibly impressive is that S. E. Hinton wrote this when she was a junior in high school. So please, don't expect writing the quality of Great Gatsby. But it didn't bother me. The story was just so incredibly profound and meaningful. Plus, not to spoil it, but it makes sense when you get a revelation at the end about the narration. Just trust the process. Trust me.
First of all, I felt so much love and empathy for the characters. Like Jane Austen is quaking in her boots right now in terms of good character crafting (in my humble opinion). I almost felt the pain that the characters went through. Like I feel like they are my brothers at this point and I want to give all of them a hug. Can we just talk about Soda and Sandy for a second? If you don't want potential spoilers just skip this paragraph. Can someone please explain if Sandy is supposed to be pregnant? Because I feel like that was pretty implied at the end and I tried googling it but the sources I looked at seemed to be conflicted. It feels like an unscratched itch and now I feel really bad for Soda.
I found myself relating to Ponyboy a lot. The way he looked at sunsets and got lost in books. The dreamer in him with the imagination. I really felt that. Like I feel like I could be friends with him. I truly do think everyone can find a piece of themselves in this book. Even if you're not a Greaser from tough circumstances like the main characters. It's more about the emotions and feelings and hopes and dreams that come with living life.
The topics/themes that are covered in this book just are so profound for someone who wrote this in eleventh grade. There are issues of class, family, grief, and all kinds of things. I think I'm going to need to read this book a bunch more times. I feel like I'm in a daze (I just finished it like five minutes ago).
Before you read this book, you should know, there is going to be death. If you don't like guns and knives and blood maybe don't read it. But man oh man it is so good. It's the story itself that just makes it so good. I'm just in awe and I don't know how to express that. At this point I'm just rambling.
The book feels so very human. At its core that is what it is and that is what I think truly makes a good book. A book that is purely human. I am reminded of that quote by Ernest Hemingway in Midnight in Paris (maybe he said it in realy life I'm not sure) but it goes like this: "It was a good book because it was an honest book". And The Outsiders truly embodies that quote. That I think is my review summed up. If you are looking for a book that is true to the human experience this is a good one. You'll cry, you'll feel for the characters, and you might just find yourself quoting a Robert Frost poem for the rest of your life. Also, bonus, the movie version (AFTER YOU READ THE BOOK) has an all star cast. Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, and Emilio Estevez.
I don't think there's anything else I can say. Currently sitting in bed writing this with the finale for the musical on repeat at a loss for anymore words. So please read this book. It's worth it. It really is.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Child death, Alcohol, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Vomit
skyeshark1's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
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
- 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
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
booknerdz28's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Minor: Gore, Murder, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Violence, Classism, Death, and Grief
toy_masterpiece's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Such a great reread! It's been almost a decade since I first read it and the characters are just as full of heart and personality as I remember. You will fall in love with this found family and and it will inspire you to pose and examine the ratings you have with the outsole closest to you. It's a quick read and and even quicker listen. Love!
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Vomit
ellewoodsfanclub's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
sophietoes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
Moderate: Medical content, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and Suicidal thoughts
milcahh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Child death, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Cursing, and Bullying
Minor: Vomit and Racial slurs