BOOK REVIEW: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton

"They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong."

It came as a surprise to most people I know that I had never read The Outsiders or even seen the star-cast movie until this year. After seeing the cast of the film (Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, etc) even I was shocked that I had never ventured into at least seeing the film. After first reading the book and then watching the film, I know for a fact that I had long been missing out. 

This coming-of-age novel from the late 1960's is an amazing depiction of a group of boys, deemed outsiders due to their small wealth and rough neighborhood, just trying to survive. They are constantly terrorized by those who are above them in status in the most gruesome ways. They are called Greasers, due to their love of their hair and the grease they apply to it (what they consider their best quality). Their biggest rivals are the Socs, short for Socials, an elitist group who feel it is acceptable to jump them and torture them for fun. In their world carrying knives or guns for protection, stealing to eat, and even sleeping outside to avoid abusive families is nothing new. In actuality, it is all they've ever known. Ponyboy, one of the youngest members of the group and also one of the smartest tells the story of their lives and how they strive to stick together.

" It seemed funny that the sunset she saw from her patio and the one I saw from my back steps was the same one. Maybe the two worlds we lived in weren't so different after all. We saw the same sunset."

The rivalry between the Greasers and Soc's comes to a peak in this novel causing devastation and death on both sides. It is only then that they all begin to realize that things are great for either side. Cherry, A Soc, tells of her jealousy of the Greasers passion and love, where she feels nothing. It is with these small reveals that the reader comes to realize that the rivalry is merely out of jealousy on each side and that maybe, these groups aren't so different after all. 

"You take up for your buddies no matter what they do. When you're a gang, you stick up for your members. if you don't stick up for them, stick together, make like brothers, it isn't a gang anymore. It's a pack. A snarling, distrustful, bickering pack like the Socs..."

The reason I loved this novel so much was the love between all of the boys for one another. It was so intimate and genuine. They are each others true family and would die for one another. They don't judge one another for bad choices or questionable morals, but instead they full accept one another for who that person is. You can feel the love and devotion they have to one another throughout the entire novel. It was so touching and real. I feel like even in real life you don't see this kind of devotion. It felt so raw and uninhibited which is exactly how it should be. The Greasers don't know how to better their situation, but they know what matters in life; the bonds they have with each other. Even after finishing the novel and then watching the film I couldn't get over how powerful their sentiments had an effect on me. 

"Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold."

Arguably the most quoted line from the novel and story, its impact is so much deeper. As Johnny lies dying in a hospital room he explains to Ponyboy the impact of this poem from Robert Frost, how when we are children everything is new and green, and then when we stop acknowledging the good and wonder of the world everything fades away. It is only when we each seek to find love and passion in the world around us, to try to see the good in the world despite all the bad we might face, and then embrace it, only then are we gold. Anyone who takes the time to acknowledge this fact will be able to live a more fulfilled and happy life. 

My rating is below!

The Outsiders- ✭✭✭✭✭

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