Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

The Outsiders (the Play) by S.E. Hinton, Christopher Sergel

40 reviews

therulerofallfrogs's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I’m not one to hand out five star ratings like bread to ducks, but this is one book I didn’t have to second guess for a moment.

Most people read the Outsiders in middle school, but I was only introduced to the book in January of this year. (For context, I’m about to graduate my junior year in high school as of writing this). Since first reading it in two or so sittings, I’ve now read it four more times in five months (twice for personal enjoyment, twice aloud to two different siblings, and once for a style study).  I have never connected so quickly with a set of characters, nor truly felt with them the way I did in this book.

The plot was definitely simple, but it was fast paced and I wasn’t bored for a second. The characters as well as their development and dynamics were truly the highlight of the book, however. The main character, Ponyboy, is an engaging narrator full of real life feelings and goals and anxieties. I find myself to be very picky with main characters, particularly in first person books, particularly YOUNG characters in first person books- but he had me interested since page one.

The rest of the gang are full of life as well. I was particularly fond of Sodapop and Dallas. Soda, a joyful boy with a spring in his step and a true excitement for life, added a well needed dose of optimism and warmth to such an emotional story. (Though, as we learn, he has his own major struggles lying underneath the surface.) Dallas is the opposite, he is a cold character with a hostility born from a horrid childhood and a lack of love and empathy from those who had raised him. Yet, even he held love in his heart. Spoilers ahead.

Dally’s relationship with the Johnny was the only reason I cried during this book. Their connection was my favorite character dynamic by far, and I swear it hurt me.

The whole way through The Outsiders, I was laughing and contemplating and tearing up. The fact that this book is assigned to middle schoolers and managed such a feat astounds me. (This is coming from someone who has to force their way through YA most of the time, I hate being talked down to). I felt as if the narration was a teenager speaking to himself, not an adult speaking to a teenager in a superior or condescending manner. Of course, some of this has to do with the author’s age.

You can expect my utter surprise upon finding out that while writing this story, S.E. Hinton was a girl around my age. (Much less that she was a girl at all!) As a young writer, I am thoroughly inspired, and can say with full certainty that this book has changed my life. It has empowered me to write with such new vigor and excitement. 

I’m truly glad my mom recommended The Outsiders to me while we skimmed through a little library. It’s the first good book I’ve ever found in one, and it’s most certainly the first that has tampered with my worldview.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Violence, Classism, Child abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Child death, Addiction, Blood, Police brutality, Sexism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, and Bullying

Moderate: Death of parent, Confinement, and Racial slurs

Minor: Car accident and Abandonment

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: Death, Child death, Alcohol, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Child abuse, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Murder, Gun violence, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Grief

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: Violence and Gun violence

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Child abuse

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: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Grief, Classism, Child death, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, War, and Vomit

claire_leibovitz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense

• 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Alcohol, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Pregnancy and 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: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Child death, Classism, Racial slurs, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Murder, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail

stories's review against another edition

challenging sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Readable and highly quotable. I can see why it’s a commonly chosen English text, with wide applicability. 

Realising the author was 17 when writing it also explains some elements, particularly the introduction of characters. 

Lots of slang, but surprisingly familiar and accessible given the passing of time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, and Classism

Moderate: Death of parent, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Hate crime, and Blood

MCD Do not bank on a happy ending.

itsjadenbaby's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

5.0

I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. I always struggle reading things that have a lot of hype around them. I’m lucky I found this book in a used book sale for really cheap to give me the push to buy and read it. The characters are well-developed and so very lovable. The plot kept me engaged and was just the right amount of sad but hopeful. I will definitely be keeping this one on my shelves.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Violence

Moderate: Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Alcohol, Death of parent, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Police brutality

Minor: Murder, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Bullying, and Car accident

theenbybookworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

3.25

WARNING : PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN READING THIS BOOK!!! AT THE VERY LEAST, PLEASE READ THE CONTENT WARNINGS BELOW!!! MAY CONTAIN SENSITIVE TOPICS TO CERTAIN READERS!!!
I generally enjoyed the book. Perhaps it was how I read it - it was required for my 8th grade English class -, but I feel like I might have enjoyed it more had I had better circumstances to read it under. Nonetheless, it is a very heartfelt and deep story. My favorite character was definitely Johnny - I love a good character-development. Overall, would recommend to someone who likes morals and angstier(?) stories about living in a difficult situation.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Classism, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Child death

Moderate: Gore, Drug use, Death of parent, Cursing, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Police brutality

Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, and Domestic abuse

So many things that people need to be cautious about with this book.

The death of 3+ people are described in quite a bit of detail. This would be Johnny (who died from injuries of the fire), Dally (who generally went crazy after Johnny died and proceeded to make him an obvious target for police - essentially committing suicide), and Bob (who we had the description of his dead body and the aftermath quite clearly, as it is a main focus).

Evident Drug Use and Alcohol Use from multiple characters. Lots of Street and Gun Violence. Please be careful and aware before you read this.