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A review by smallish_bird
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
One of my all-time favorites; first read as assigned reading in 7th grade and revisited after Yhara Zayd's YouTube excellent mini video essay reminded me of its existence. I'm a sucker for 1st person PoV books that explore both its PoV character's as well as its other characters' perspective in a nuanced and compassionate way. I dig its focus on platonic and familial love (aroace win), as well as how safe it feels in many regards despite how bleak the characters' situations are -- the horror is found within the isolation of circumstance, childhood, poverty, and capitalism, not so much in the cruelty of any of the characters.
Cannot fathom that this was written by a high school student; S. E. Hinton joins Mary Shelly in being a teenager when they wrote books that I now hold dear to my heart.
Cannot fathom that this was written by a high school student; S. E. Hinton joins Mary Shelly in being a teenager when they wrote books that I now hold dear to my heart.
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Bullying, Child death, Police brutality, Addiction, Violence, Blood, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Minor: Ableism, Gun violence, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content
Complimentary/Similar Books:
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (about an emotionally repressed/traumatized teenager and how he navigates the world) -- 1st person PoV, teenage boy MC, emphasis on familial love/self-love, living life while dealing with trauma, distinct voice/vernacular, healing, hopeful ending.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (about an emotionally reserved/isolated teenager's life and development) -- 1st person PoV, teenage boy MC, emphasis on platonic love/self-love, living life while dealing with trauma, escapism, healing, hopeful ending.
All The Water I've Seen Is Running by Elias Rodriques (about a queer man returning to his conservative hometown to mourn/confront/grow from his past) -- 1st person PoV, distinct and nuanced characters, violence/displays of force as normalized method of communication, emphasis on found family/community/self-love, living life while dealing with trauma, distinct voice/vernacular, healing, hopeful ending.