The Outsiders

Growing up is difficult. The desire to fit in is pitted against the encouragement to be unique and different. A person’s actions as well as the influence of family, friends, and society helps to form a person’s identity. And, this isn’t all kids need to worry about: they will face and deal with bumps in the road and times where they’re down. Ponyboy in The Outsiders thinks his life is figured out, until one night his world is flipped upside down. S. E. Hinton thoughtfully crafted The Outsiders out of her own experiences. A story written in 1965 is still relevant today and captivates the reader with a youthful, slangy writing style which allows the reader to bond with the characters. The Outsiders, written in 1965 Oklahoma, displays the struggle between two gangs in a town. The narrator, Ponyboy Curtis, his brothers, and friends make up the Greasers. This rag tag group of impoverished guys stick by each other's sides no matter what. They are up against the rich, snooty, Socs. These guys drive around in their expensive cars and jump Greasers to appear cool and intimidate them. In a constant battle between the Socs and Greasers, Ponyboy Curtis discovers there is good and bad in everyone. The story displays a conflict between two gangs who think they are very different: “Greasers are almost like hoods; we steal things and drive old souped-up cars and hold up gas stations and have a gang fight once in a while” (3). On the other hand, “[Socs] jump greasers and wreck houses and throw beer blasts for kicks and get editorials in the paper for being a public disgrace one day and an asset to society the next” (3). It isn’t safe for a Greaser to walk around alone, for the Socs always pull up in their convertible, hop out, and jump them. The Greasers despise the Socs and the Socs despise the Greasers. This is the case for Ponyboy too until he meets Cherry, the toughest Soc’s girlfriend, he realizes that Socs aren’t all that different after all. Cherry and Ponyboy share many similarities, especially their love for sunsets. With the help of Cherry, Ponyboy realizes the greasers, including himself, misjudged the Socs. Yes, they do get drunk and beat up Greasers for no good reason, but they are human and they have lives outside of how well they can fight. Will Ponyboy get everyone else to see the Socs true colors? Can this ever get better? The conflict remains relevant to society fifty years after it was written because there always seems to be this in-group and out-group. Not only is the story relevant to society, but it also maintains a young, slangy tone that allows the reader to connect with the characters. S. E. Hinton commented that “these characters are really kind of universal without losing their individuality.” The story, written when the author was only fifteen years old, is told from Ponyboy’s perspective. Ponyboy is a fourteen year old kid living with his two older brothers, Darry and Sodapop. Sodapop is sixteen and Darry is twenty and has custody of Sodapop and Ponyboy since their parents died in a car crash. Ponyboy’s young and optimistic, so his narration draws the reader in. Initially, Ponyboy feels very self-conscious and vulnerable: “I was wishing I looked like Paul Newman- he looks tough and I don’t” (1) He’s the youngest of the gang and looks up to his older, tougher brothers and friends. Within the first few pages, Ponyboy walks home from the movie theater alone and is stopped by Socs. “Need a haircut, greaser?” they ask him, “How’d you like that haircut to begin just below the chin?”(5) His brothers find him, fight back and save him. In Darry and Sodapop’s eyes Ponyboy is still young and fragile. But, as the story advances Ponyboy fights hard to prove the gang wrong. He grows stronger as he learns to be courageous, defend himself, and later in the process meets death face to face. S.E Hinton said “When I write, an interesting transformation takes place. I go from thinking about my narrator to being him,” and this is also how I felt while reading this. Ponyboy is forced to grow up in order to fit in, and as this happens the reader gets to grow with him and see him both thrive and grieve. With help from family and friends, growing up can be much more manageable and even fun. When reading The Outsiders I could never put the book down. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for an easy read with a timeless story and a powerful message.

This book caused me a thrill of emotions, pulled me into the story from the first page. The characters, story, and everything felt so real, and it hit a part of me that I didn’t know could feel so strongly. I love this book so much, i know it will stay with me for a long time.

When my 12 yr old granddaughter said that she wanted this book, I immediately checked Amazon. I debated on whether to get her the paperback or hardcover. The paperback is easier to take on the go, but the hardcover provides more durability. Because she lives in a house with 2 younger brothers, I chose durability. Lol And it's not like she can't take the book "on the go"... she was reading it at a high school graduation party yesterday. Lol Now, here's the thing, I was at a well known bookstore chain location yesterday, and this book was only available in the paperback version. Hardcover was not an option. The paperback version was more than the hardcover price that I just paid! As for the book itself, it was my favorite as a middle schooler! That's why I was so thrilled that my granddaughter said that she wanted to own the book. I understand that it has become required reading in many school districts. It wasn't when I was in school. In fact, my first introduction to The Outsiders was the movie. The movie led me down the path of reading the book... along with then reading other S.E. Hinton teen novels. 📖 I believe the subject matter is always going to be relevant... the "haves" & the "have nots", the issues teens face about acceptance & judgment (whether being judged or being the judge), etc. It's about chosen family & loyalty. It's about having similarities, even when there are many differences. Sure, much has changed since the 1960's (when the author first wrote this book... when she was a teenager). But those changes are more about technology over being human. I might just reread my copy of this book. I still have the same book from when I was a middle schooler!😃

Great buy

I got the book for a great deal! One of the edges was a bit messed up upon arrival. It’s for my middle school age daughter anyways. She’s excited to start reading this book! Oh, we also got the paperback cover and my middle schooler took great care of it. Also, great book for a teenager. She read this with her class, a bit of violence in the book but this book has my daughter in tears at times. She says she would definitely recommend! Best book she has read during ELA class.

Great book! My middle school son has to read this for school and he enjoys it so far. Very popular book.

I don't know how many times I've read this. I wanted to reread it after recently seeing the play. It's a good story that still resonates with students, even though I believe it's set in the early 60s. Triumph is sometimes simply surviving difficult circumstances and persevering. It's a good message blended into a sad story.

Good

i read this a teenager and loved the book todeath had to replace it

Das Buch handelt von zwei rivalisierenden Gangs mit völlig verschiedenen sozialen Hintergründen, es gibt die Greasers und ihre Feinde die Socials (Socs). Die Socs sind die reichen und verwöhnten Jugendlichen die von allem zu viel haben und die Greasers sind der traurige Rest, die armen und verlorenen. Hauptfigur in "The Outsiders" ist der 14 jährige Ponyboy Curtis, es ist auch aus seiner Sicht geschrieben. Er lebt zusammen mit seinen zwei Brüdern, Sodapop Curtis der 16 Jahre alt ist und Darrel "Darry" Curtis der 20 Jahre alt ist. Sie gehören zu den Greasers, genauso wie ihre Freunde Johnny Cade 16 Jahre alt, Dallas Winston 17 Jahre alt, Steve Randle 17 Jahre alt und Keith Matthews genannt Two-Bit achtzehneinhalb Jahre alt. Durch die sozialen Unterschiede und persönlichen Feindschaften kommt es oft zu Auseinandersetzungen zwischen den Greasern und den Socs. Bei einer diesen Begegnungen tötet Johnny ausversehen einen Socs der versucht hat Pony zu ertränken. Die beiden fliehen und es folgt ein tragisches Ereignis nach dem anderen. Obwohl das Buch nur eine Woche von Ponyboys Leben widerspiegelt erfahren wir was alles, ob gut oder schlecht, in einer Woche passieren kann. Denn am Ende hat diese Woche 3 Menschen das Leben gekostet und Pony ist zu der Erkenntnis gekommen ob Greasers oder Socs, wir Leben zwar nicht gleich, aber das Sterben verbindet uns, denn es kann uns alle treffen. Leute das Buch ist einfach der Hammer. Das Englisch ist einfach zu lesen und das Buch liest sich schön flüssig!! Die Figuren sind sehr schön detailliert herausgearbeitet und passen perfekt in die Handlung und niemand ist überflüssig. Besonders die Curtis Brüder muss man lieben. Zwischen Pony und Darrel gibt es zwar viele Missverstände während der Handlung, aber zu meiner grenzenlosen Freude haben sie es am Ende endlich geschafft sich richtig nahe zu kommen, was auch teilweise Sodapop zu verdanken ist. Einzig Sherri Valance, genannt Cherry, hat mir nicht gefallen. Ich fand sie einfach nur nervig und hätte mir gewünscht das Pony eine beste Freundin hat die auch ein Greaser ist und ihm zur Seite steht!! Das Buch spricht vor allem das Menschliche in uns an. Für mich ist es ein Stück Weltliteratur und man sollte es auch heutzutage in Schulen behandeln. Es geht im Buch nicht nur um Hass oder pure Gewalt, sondern es vermittelt auch Werte wie Freundschaft, Loyalität und es zeigt Menschen die auf der Suche nach eigener Würde sind und ihrem Platz in der Welt. Und wenn euch das Buch gefällt solltet ihr auch unbedingt den Film sehen. Pony wird von C. Thomas Howell gespielt, Soda von Rob Lowe, Darrel von Patrick Swayze und es gibt noch eine Menge anderer super Schauspieler!! Also verpasst weder das Buch noch den Film, es lohnt sich!!!

Nog niet ontvangen. Morgen leveren is de volgende dag ontvangen.

PROPS TO THE BOOK COVER, THE STYLE OF WRITING, THE CHARACTERS, THE FREAKING STORY ITSELF! I love this book so much, one of fav read.

Got attached to the characters more than I should 🥲 and now we are like a family we could rely on forever. The ending made me cry 😢 🫶Top Favourite of 2022🫶 💫Amazing facts related to The Outsiders by S. E. Hilton : ⏩ The author was just 15 when she started writing the book and the book got published when she turned 18 ⏩ The book is still one of the most debated and controversial ever since it got published (exciting, isn’t it?) ⏩ The book is banned at some schools and libraries for the portrayal of gang violence, substance abuse and dysfunctional families ⏩ Despite all these criticisms, the book is still one of the most influential books of all time Ever wondered how such books has not been wide read and talked about on Instagram and YouTube ever since you started reading? Well, thanks to @amazonbooksin for your random recommendations while browsing for books. I got hold of it as soon as I read the blurb and how it’s a modern classic now. Read the book, rolled my eyes questioning over how it got to be the one winning all the praise’s but then I bawled my heart out when I reached the last few pages. It’s incredible 😵‍💫 How come no one has ever recommended this book? But then I realised I am a book blogger. I can recommend, of course from now onwards 🙄