Name: The Outsiders
Rating: 4.157598499061914 (533 reviews)
ISBN: 9780871292773

Christopher Sergel

S. E. Hinton

The Socs's idea of having a good time is beating up greasers like Ponyboy. Ponyboy knows what to expect and knows he can count on his brothers and friends - until the night someone takes things too far. A ground-breaking, timeless story from a brilliant writer.

The Outsiders

The outsiders

adison wolfe

Introduction The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a classic novel that has resonated with readers for generations. Although it was originally published in 1967, the themes of friendship, social class struggles, and self-discovery remain relevant today. It is recommended for ages 11 and up due to some instances of violence. However, despite its reputation, I found that it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. Plot Summary Set in the 1960s, the story follows Ponyboy Curtis, a thoughtful and sensitive teenager who belongs to a gang known as the Greasers. The Greasers are constantly at odds with the Socs, a rival group from the wealthier part of town. The novel explores the tensions between these groups, culminating in significant events that challenge Ponyboy's understanding of himself and the world around him. Themes Friendship and Loyalty One of the central themes of The Outsiders is the importance of friendship and loyalty. Ponyboy's relationships with his fellow Greasers, particularly his brothers Sodapop and Darry, serve as a foundation for his growth throughout the story. These bonds provide support and strength, illustrating the impact of true companionship, although I personally didn’t find them as engaging as I'd hoped. Social Class and Identity The novel delves into the divide between the Greasers and the Socs, highlighting issues of social class and identity. Through Ponyboy's eyes, we see the prejudices and assumptions that often accompany these divisions. This exploration encourages readers to reflect on their own perceptions and the importance of understanding and empathy, yet I felt it lacked depth in some areas. Coming of Age Throughout the book, Ponyboy's journey is one of self-discovery and maturation. The challenges he faces force him to confront his beliefs and values, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of himself and his place in the world, though I didn’t find his transformation as compelling as I expected. Writing Style S.E. Hinton's writing is accessible yet poignant, capturing the voice of a teenage protagonist with authenticity. The narrative is engaging and fast-paced, making it an excellent read for young audiences. However, for me, the writing didn’t quite resonate, as I found it lacking in some emotional depth. Conclusion The Outsiders is a powerful tale that has stood the test of time. With its compelling characters, engaging plot, and meaningful themes, it offers readers both entertainment and important life lessons. Despite some instances of violence, the novel's message of understanding and friendship makes it a worthwhile read for those aged 11 and up. However, if you’re like me, you might find that it doesn’t quite meet the high expectations set by its reputation.

This story is so tragic and confronting it makes me want to cry. I think what's most sad is that none of these boys deserved to be in the circumstances that their in. But still, they make good and I love the family they built. I think I'm on some corny shi but yea. 

Johnny and Dallys deaths were so in character as much as I hated it. I think Johnny served as a constant reminder of what Dally sacrificed to become who he was. And so, when he died, it proved something to Dally; that unlovable, rough, and hard was the only way to survive. Which sucks arse. I'm so privileged it's ridiculous

Seeing Ponys grieving made me really sad. but I think it was an important part of the story. 

Overall this story is beautiful and I love all the outsiders

princesspolly

This story is so tragic and confronting it makes me want to cry. I think what's most sad is that none of these boys deserved to be in the circumstances that their in. But still, they make good and I love the family they built. I think I'm on some corny shi but yea. 

Johnny and Dallys deaths were so in character as much as I hated it. I think Johnny served as a constant reminder of what Dally sacrificed to become who he was. And so, when he died, it proved something to Dally; that unlovable, rough, and hard was the only way to survive. Which sucks arse. I'm so privileged it's ridiculous

Seeing Ponys grieving made me really sad. but I think it was an important part of the story. 

Overall this story is beautiful and I love all the outsiders

Two gangs, the Greasers and the Socs, are fighting on the streets of Tulsa. Fourteen year old Ponyboy is a loyal Greaser. Then a deadly catastrophe turns his life, and everything he believes in, upside down.

roofopiela

“stay gold, ponyboy, stay gold” 😭😭

The Outsiders (Puffin Modern Classics)

ikkychan

Just finished reading “The Outsider” by S.E. Hinton. I must say, this is one of the best coming-of-age stories I’ve read this year. It’s such a raw, unblemished telling of youth rebellion – or in other word, my favorite cup of tea. The book tells a story of two groups of teenagers, the Greasers and the Socs, who were caught up in a perpetual cycle of violence and rivalry that stems mainly from their widely different socioeconomic backgrounds. The Greasers, who act as protagonists here, come from lower-income families who live in the East Side of Tulsa. They lead rough lives; most of them are dropouts who live hand-to-mouth to get by – contrasting with the Socs, living in the West Side, who are from middle to upper class families. Every aspects of their life was construed as if they are each other’s ultimate polar opposite; the Socs with their clean-cut short hair and Greasers with their long, greasy rockabilly; the Socs with their button-up shirts and Greasers in leather bikers jackets; the Socs driving their Mustangs and Corvettes while Greasers tackles long distance on foot. These differences serve as a double-edged sword as they dictate both parties how to behave in society, like an unwritten code of conduct. It’s clear for both of them which area of the town they could go to, which girl they could talk to, what language to speak, who they can welcome into the gang and what prospective career they could hope for in the future. Archenemy as they are, each occasion of their encounter would lead to nothing good and/or end up in unruly brawl. The Greaser would put up as good a fight as they could have but the Socs, who have more money and come from privileged backgrounds, would always win in the end. It’s easy to take sides with the rich if the opponent is just a bunch of marginalized, poor, degraded teenagers. No one would bite an eye if one of them popped up the next morning in the headline as a fight casualty. “Another one bite the dust”, “They saw it coming”, ”They probably asked for it”, murmur them as they carry on. However, you can see that these group protocols also act as a mold that cage them to fill their role as it is and nothing further, as if it restricts their own identity as human beings and turn them into nothing more but a Socs or a Greasers. This is where our titular protagonist, Ponyboy, coming from. His angle derives from the confusion and disorientation he had as he underwent a monumental crisis that transformed his view of life as a Greaser and desired a change, both for his friends and his lifelong enemies. Ponyboy Curtis is an orphan who was raised by his two older brothers; the stern Darry Curtis and the charming Sodapop Curtis. All of them are part of Greasers gang with several others; Two-Bit Matthews, Dallas Winston, Tim Shepard, and the loveliest of them all, Johnny Cade. As the youngest of the group, Johnny and Ponyboy understandably create a bond that is different from the rest of them, as they spend the most time together and confide in each other. Johnny is the baby of the group; he’s soft and meek. But after a particularly nasty encounter with Bob Sheldon, one of the Socs, he’s so traumatized by the beatings he had to put up with in the past that he started to carry a switchblade around. This is the same switchblade he plunged towards Bob and ended the Socs’ life when he’s trying to save Ponyboy from getting killed. Terrified of the aftermath, Ponyboy and Johnny flee to faraway town, escaping the bleak consequences of their actions. Hinton wrote the book when she was just 15, essentially to talk about real-life gang war and class division she witnessed happening in her school. Perhaps that is why her writing style is fresh and simplistic, as if trying to tell passing events through an unclouded view, as it is, without unnecessary embellishments. She also uses slang and colloquial language between characters, allowing the reader to see a realistic characterization of teenagers' life and further relate to Ponyboy’s feelings on a personal level. We can’t help but root for the impoverished protagonist as he searches for true selfhood and desires to become more than what society perceives of him. We witnessed this adolescent filled with confusion, pain and disorientation struggle through social and psychological transformation to break from the mold of forced stereotypes that dictates the entire aspects of their life, who they are and what they are going to be. And why shouldn’t they? Johnny’s honorable feat of saving children from the church fire proves that small-time crooks can be big-time heroes, even though he eventually died of his burn injuries. His death further triggered the shift in the dynamic of years-long hateful enmity between the two gangs. Randy, Bob’s best friend, refused to join in the Rumble and decided to forgo all hostility toward the rival gang since he realized it would not bring his best friend back and would only feed into further unnecessary bloody conflict. Cherry Valance, Bob’s girlfriend, actually went and testified to the court on behalf of Johnny and Ponyboy to clear their names and admitted that Johnny acted in self-defense. Eventually, Ponyboy decided to write about the Socs and Greaser for a school essay where he chose to show their humanity and individuality beyond the jargons and nicknames, showing how his brothers and him were capable of better constitution if only they were given more chances in life. His choice could be seen as a way to make peace and an act of moving forward from the barbarity - a long, overdue deliverance. And as Theo in The Dreamers said, “Books, not switchblades guns. Culture, not violence.”

50 years of an iconic classic! This international bestseller and inspiration for a beloved movie is a heroic story of friendship and belonging. No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up on “greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect—until the night someone takes things too far. The Outsiders is a dramatic and enduring work of fiction that laid the groundwork for the YA genre. S. E. Hinton's classic story of a boy who finds himself on the outskirts of regular society remains as powerful today as it was the day it was first published. "The Outsiders transformed young-adult fiction from a genre mostly about prom queens, football players and high school crushes to one that portrayed a darker, truer world." —The New York Times "Taut with tension, filled with drama." —The Chicago Tribune "[A] classic coming-of-age book." —Philadelphia Daily News A New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Book A Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book An ALA Best Book for Young Adults Winner of the Massachusetts Children's Book Award

Stella

I remember reading this sometime in school and really liking this book, one of the few that was enjoyable to read in the curriculum. I’m really glad I decided to refresh my memory on it since my memory of how things went down was completely off. 

All the characters are pretty different from one another but complement each other well in their group dynamic. Love them all tbh. 

The right book to just remind you not to judge people based on how they look, everyone’s going through something, and sometimes the world has a tragic way of pointing that out. 

lily

I remember reading this sometime in school and really liking this book, one of the few that was enjoyable to read in the curriculum. I’m really glad I decided to refresh my memory on it since my memory of how things went down was completely off. 

All the characters are pretty different from one another but complement each other well in their group dynamic. Love them all tbh. 

The right book to just remind you not to judge people based on how they look, everyone’s going through something, and sometimes the world has a tragic way of pointing that out. 

Absolutely loved this book! Each character is deep and thoughtful in their own way. The author does a great job at using the characters to conflict/ compliment the others. This is such an important coming of age story about a boy who sees the reality and importance of change and begins to take notice of the consequences of his actions. He learns to take responsibility and to value the people around him.

Camron Swartzendruber

A heroic story of friendship and belonging...

Ponyboy can count on his brothers. And on his friends. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up "greasers" like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect--until the night someone takes things too far.

(back cover)

zatul 

I keep changing my mind about this, but this book was a solid 4/5 stars.

reading it for a second time after many years made me appreciate each relationship much more, and truly understand each character, i feel like they all play a role in a way that completes each other so deeply 😪

mari

A sad stories of gangs and violence wrapped in the love of brothers 

Moriah Howard

Jaden Nelson

We had to read if for school and ended up actually liking it. The ending was a little sad but great. I would read it again.

Meagan Fischer 

Beloved classic from childhood/adolescence.

Melissa Palmer

One of my all-time favorites. First re-read of it and I still loved it. A must read for middle and high schoolers.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. This quick read is filled with lovable characters and a fast-paced plot.

Jeweliet Coffee

Nox Schoonmaker

This book almost made me cry in the middle of my class so it gets a 5/5 from me.

The Outsiders

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