Questions About That Was Then, This Is Now

by S.E. Hinton (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (22)

What was your personal review of " that was then this is now " ?

Eddie bc you didn't like the ending and it wasn't a fake Disney story book ending isn't reason to lower your rating! So anything that takes you from living …morebc you didn't like the ending and it wasn't a fake Disney story book ending isn't reason to lower your rating! So anything that takes you from living in a fake dream world of streets lined with gum drops and the world is like the Willy Wonka factory is disturbing to you? The ending of the book is what made the book! It is why I give it 5 Stars. It is GROWN UP reality. If the book ended the way you wanted - they all lived happily ever after! This is what you want: Charlie was never shot, Bryon married Cathy, and Mark cleans up his act and becomes a responsible citizen (bc there are no permanently incarcerated convicts, nobody ever went from juvenile deliquent to habitual criminal, there are no jails bc people reform themselves. 1) this is pedestrian and boring 2) unrealistic 3) doesn't make you (gasp!) think and continue to analyze the book and ponder if Bryon did the right thing or if Mark would have ended up there anyway, but not by his hand. This ending is what makes the book spectacular. (less)

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Why is it just mostly boys in the story?

Alex S.E. Hinton was a tomboy in her younger age, and she found it easier to work with narrating as a guy instead of a girl.

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is this a sequel to the outsiders???????

Theresa Connelly No it isn't. It takes place after the Outsiders did and Tim and Curly Shepherd as well as Ponyboy make minor appearances but it is not centered around…moreNo it isn't. It takes place after the Outsiders did and Tim and Curly Shepherd as well as Ponyboy make minor appearances but it is not centered around any of the Outsiders characters. (less)

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Why did you choose to read this book? I

Musicaloutsider I chose to read this book because I was trying to read all of the S.E. Hinton books. I am finished with my S.E. Hinton marathon but I kind of wish tha…moreI chose to read this book because I was trying to read all of the S.E. Hinton books. I am finished with my S.E. Hinton marathon but I kind of wish that I wasn't :( because I love reading her stories. (less)

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Is this as amazing as The Outsiders?

Jimbo I think if I had read this book before the outsiders, I would have liked it better.

Both stories and narrators are so similar that the second time it …moreI think if I had read this book before the outsiders, I would have liked it better.

Both stories and narrators are so similar that the second time it doesn't feel as authentic and original. If we swapped out the names, a reader could identify the characters by their voices without memorizing the text or event.

Bryon speaks just like Ponyboy, and Bryon explains things and situations similarly too.(less)

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