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claireelyse06's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
I have no words for what this book did to me emotionally. Hear me out with this one.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Car accident
vavocado's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
diana_0417's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
This book makes you think back on friend and family relationships. Although the family in this novel is not a typical type of family I could come around, descriptions and events made me feel related. I was able to feel connected to the characters that I felt grief running down at the end of the book (It got me sobbing which I don't do very often) For me, the book felt strange at some of the points, because the occasions taking place aren't common around my area of life. However, happenings related to themes like loyalty, friendship, and family are heartbreaking. It was a few chapters that made me continue reading. For example, how the characters sacrifice each other for loyalty makes you feel amazed and heartwarming. As a person who enjoys reading literary devices and symbols, this novel deliberately delivers significant messages through meaningful and emotional events that allow you to think throughout the chapters. Each character in the novel is unique and has an individuality that piques my interest to want to know more, compared to other books that I've read. Events that held me were rescuing the kids from the fire, and Ponyboy says, "I didn't have fear" just whirled me with such diverse emotions and thought back to my life "Have I ever had this kind of experience?". Themes such as social division are not topics that are mentioned and told in real life, but going through this book gives you a chance to think about a situation of struggle and class differences. Relationships formed within characters are closely tied together. In my experience, I have never had this kind of vulnerable relationship in life, so reading this story taught me emotions that could occur in the name of loyalty. The mood of this book is friendly but dark so it allows you to think seriously on theme matter. Also, the author's choice of putting the poem interested me in reading his other works. The ending is a little bit forgetful because it was kind of an expected ending. However, I liked that it tied the beginning and the ending together, usually when you reach the end of the book you forget how it started, but it ended in an opposite way so it got me thinking back on changes of my thoughts and perspectives as the story progressed. Again, the thing that I like about “The Outsider” is exploring a topic that is sort of controversial and not held so lightly, I have not got to read those kinds of books that often, and even though I do, I was hesitant to make give my thoughts but this book is set in a friendly easy-going way that I felt comfortable and got to think more about the themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Drug use
Minor: Alcohol
kiwichill's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Car accident, and Toxic friendship
skyeshark1's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
katreena's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
daisha101's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
The Outsiders was never on any of my school reading lists and I never felt compelled to pick it up on my own until now. As much as I've heard about this book, I had no idea what it was about (what a shock for me). It's in between a 3 and a 4 for me because while I enjoyed the ending and the relationships between the characters, I was forcing my way through each chapter. It wasn't a page turner that I couldn't put down, but it wasn't a bad book either. I liked it well enough, but it's not a favorite for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Physical abuse
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Sexism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail