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dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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: Bullying, Suicide, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Death of parent
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Death of parent
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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Car accident, Murder
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Death
Minor: Child death, Death of parent
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I haven’t read The Outsiders since I taught it about 20 years ago. Even though I read this book in the 70’s plus I’ve reread and taught it multiple times, I’m still surprised at the end. Reading it today, nearly 50 years after the first time, I’m a little shocked at how little society has really changed. The names may change, but the reality of the have and have-nots, the rich vs poor, socks vs greasers, jocks vs geeks, preps vs grunge, liberal vs conservative, is still visible in our society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Grief, Murder
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder
Complimentary/Similar Books:
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (about an emotionally repressed/traumatized teenager and how he navigates the world) -- 1st person PoV, teenage boy MC, emphasis on familial love/self-love, living life while dealing with trauma, distinct voice/vernacular, healing, hopeful ending.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (about an emotionally reserved/isolated teenager's life and development) -- 1st person PoV, teenage boy MC, emphasis on platonic love/self-love, living life while dealing with trauma, escapism, healing, hopeful ending.
All The Water I've Seen Is Running by Elias Rodriques (about a queer man returning to his conservative hometown to mourn/confront/grow from his past) -- 1st person PoV, distinct and nuanced characters, violence/displays of force as normalized method of communication, emphasis on found family/community/self-love, living life while dealing with trauma, distinct voice/vernacular, healing, hopeful ending.
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment