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therulerofallfrogs's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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.
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
zephyrus127'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? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
cadybooks'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
4.0
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Child death, Classism, Racial slurs, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
jeremie's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Child abuse, Suicide, Classism, War, Grief, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
itsjadenbaby's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Police brutality
Minor: Murder, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Bullying, and Car accident
smallish_bird'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? It's complicated
4.0
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.
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Bullying, Child death, Police brutality, Addiction, Violence, Blood, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Gun violence, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content
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.bookiemonsta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Addiction, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Classism, Child abuse, Police brutality, Mental illness, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Medical content
another_dahlia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Violence, Addiction, Gun violence, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Injury/Injury detail
crazy_cellist'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
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Addiction, Hate crime, Classism, Death, Bullying, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Gun violence
Moderate: Cursing, Abandonment, Medical trauma, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Self harm, Infidelity, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Stalking
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Chronic illness, and Abortion
ella_rose_07_31's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Car accident, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and Fire/Fire injury