Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

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

105 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

kaywhiteley's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

4.5

Truly I just want them to be happy

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Gun violence and Police brutality

readmorebooks_09's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood and Death

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Gun violence

Minor: Death of parent

ceceliareads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

i loved this book. the ending blew my mind literally 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Death, Physical abuse, Murder, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Child abuse

bookworm_sarah's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, and Gun violence

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Death of parent

fallnginluve's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

this got me so bad 😭

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence

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

Minor: Death of parent

cloe52's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

To be honest I didn’t expect the sudden death of the characters, and  kids getting jumped. Although, since I have experience in being jumped in the past, It draws me in more and I could relate to the kids a little more than others would have. It was really sad that some of the main characters died, but I think because of those, I could be emotionally drawn into reading more. 

I also liked the foreshadowing that was written from time to time. It made me excited or scared to read the next parts but without them I would have been a little bored.

The characters are all very different, they each have unique parts in the gang and that makes the group even stronger. I really love how the characters grew over time and learned to think more maturely. (especially ponyboy)

There was a lot to put in the theme identity, I think most of the book is just part of it. The kids go through a terrible traumatic experience but still know what their identity is and their identity is the most important part of their lives and relationships.

I have also seen a lot of cycles of violence. It’s something people can’t really help, someone who had experienced child abuse, sadly usually does it to theirs, bully victoms become bullies. Although I liked that ponyboy didn’t continue that and stayed the pure boy he always was.

Other than that I liked the way the story went really fast, it was also very fun to annotate. The story was somewhat realistic and believable. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

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: Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Medical content, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicide, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Car accident, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Body shaming, and Cursing

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