Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

162 reviews

dewalt335's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-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

4.0

From the jump this book gave me West Side Story vibes!
It seems as if everyone I know read the book in high school (my brother did which is why I have it) but the curriculum switched before I got to read it. 
I COMPLETELY understand why this book is considered a classic because it’s timeless. Unfortunately in our society, there will always be “haves” and “have-nots”. Also, I think it adds to the appeal that the author was the same age as the characters when she wrote the book because who understands kids/teens more than each other?!
It really was a great read and I’m glad I dove into it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

Moderate: Suicide, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse

mj_tabbs's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

One of my first classics I ever picked up and was instantly enchanted by. I was swept up and obsessed with this world. Even though it so different from our modern times, the characters and dialogue are relatable and mirror any male’s transition from boy to man. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Violence, and Death

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Sexism and Cursing

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Murder, Blood, Death, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence

Minor: Death of parent

chelseeaa's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, and Child death

Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

cadybooks's review against another edition

dark reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

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

stories's review against another edition

challenging sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Readable and highly quotable. I can see why it’s a commonly chosen English text, with wide applicability. 

Realising the author was 17 when writing it also explains some elements, particularly the introduction of characters. 

Lots of slang, but surprisingly familiar and accessible given the passing of time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, and Classism

Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Hate crime, and Blood

MCD Do not bank on a happy ending.

calliecachat's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

I read most of this before but I never finished it. The narration reminded me a lot of Holden from The Catcher in the Rye and Ari from Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I think this holds up as an important piece of young adult literature and I could see myself reading this again in the future, maybe even teaching it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

jeremie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Child abuse, Suicide, Classism, War, Grief, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism

mikarala's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

Maybe if I was younger when I first read this book, I would have liked it more, but seeing as I am not the target audience and I feel like the themes and story do not seem fresh and relevant the way they might have been when this book was first published, I was underwhelmed. It was fine, but truthfully I don't feel much of anything towards the characters or the plot. This is the type of novel that relies heavily on the reader empathizing with the main character, Ponyboy, and personally I just wasn't that invested. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Child death

irelandcook's review against another edition

emotional tense

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Death