Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

191 reviews

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.

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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

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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

kuzaico'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Violence

Moderate: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts

bookbowlchallenge's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-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

3.5

 

This was my second read of The Outsiders - the first being in seventh grade at the age of 13 or 14 and now again as I approach the age of 30. I had hoped that the experience would feel new, or at least different, and this was indeed the case. Superficially at first, since many of the trivial details of the characters and plot were lost to my memory, but also in the deeper themes and complex emotions that arose while reading. 

 

At 13, I found kinship in the character of Ponyboy, a troubled preteen, who due to no fault of his own, is a member of the outcasts of society and is a victim to a system that only perpetuates his misery. While that specific description wouldn't describe my upbringing (like, at all) I did relate to the feelings of 'life is unfair' and the petty frustrations that Ponyboy often expresses. 

 

Now in my late twenties, I can only chuckle at Ponyboy, and through him, my former self. My present self sees Ponyboy as the older characters (such as Darrel) see him. Perhaps as my teacher or even the author sees him. He's just a child. He lives in a world of chaos, violence, and horror and yet still has the same trivial frustration and complaint with life that many 14 year olds do - feeling that you are not in control of your own life. A feeling that, at 14, is impossible to know is temporary and that everyone has felt it. 

 

Overall the read was enjoyable. The plot was a bit extreme and simple, but the plot isn't what defines this book. What really makes this story special is the commentary that transcends the decade it was written. The 'Them vs Us'. The finding of purpose. The realization that we are all different and simultaneously all the same. The examples of masculinity in many forms. These are the themes that make The Outsiders timeless and, in my case, ageless. 

 

3.5 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

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

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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

inirac's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Moderate: Drug use, Suicide, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Cursing and Vomit

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent

underscoresyd's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and 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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Violence

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

Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Physical 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: Death, Violence, and Alcohol

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Cursing and Sexism