Guest Review: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

Goodreads

Ponyboy can count on his brothers and his friends, but not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids who get away with everything, including beating up greasers like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect--until the night someone takes things too far.

Written forty-five years ago, 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 written.

I’d like to start this by putting out there that this is the first book my A.D.D. idled mind was able to finish in many years. To do a review for such an iconic work is difficult. So I fear that I probably can’t say anything that hasn’t been said thousands of times over but I’ll give it my best shot. First thing that drags you in is the opening lines. It drags you into the world that is different from yours yet in so many ways exactly the same. Though  time stamped in an era I did not grow up in I understood clearly who each character was and the life they lived. Mainly because she touched on the defining moment of our lives we all struggle with, our descent into adulthood. Each character represents either ourselves or someone we know. Giving us the ability to picture someone we knew playing out the story she tells. Maybe that’s why I felt tears swell up as they hear the news of Johnny or they freely flowed as I pictured one of my closest friends from childhood play out the final moments of Dally. Pony Boy represents the best of us. It’s through his eyes we watch the familiar story of social divide play out. Each high school in America today still has its version of greasers and socs. But it’s her ability to humanize both groups that really pull you in. In the end you actually feel for Bob and his need to know his parents cared by simply saying no. I could write a novel’s worth of description of each character and who each one represents in my own personal life or how I see a little of myself in each one. But it would be unfair to not take a moment to point out that one of the greatest pieces of modern literature was written by a sixteen year old. But then again maybe that’s why it works so well. She wrote it with a vulnerability that as adults we try to cover up with a false sense of strength. Summing this up The Outsiders is a must read. It is a brave cautionary tale of teenage rebellion wrapped up in a humanistic look at social separation. With elements of the loss of innocence and how young people react to their first experience with death sprinkled on top. Written in a way everyone can relate to. Five stars does not seem to do it justice. Between a compelling story and beautifully written characters there is a reason this book is a classic.

 

***This review was written by my amazing husband, Joe. Who took the time to not only reread this book but to put his thoughts to paper just to make this girl happy. Thank you babe. I can’t tell you how much I truly love and appreciate the fact that you are my biggest cheerleader.***

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