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Rumble Fish
135 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 29, 2016
By far, Rumblefish was my favorite S.E. Hinton book when I was a young teenager. I know that The Outsiders is generally considered the best of her young adult work, but I think that Rumblefish is a better book on several levels:
1.It is more honest about the lives of young adults. The Outsiders would mention some things: drinking (although no drugs), cheating in relationships, dysfunctional families, random violence, but they wouldn't show it. Also, the consequences of those actions were more standard and less nuanced than in real life. Ironically, this makes The Outsiders more likely to be read. In my school district, The Outsiders is taught as part of the 7th grade curriculum and the kids love it.
2.The characters were more realistic. I knew several Rusty Jameses growing up. His impulsivity and shortsightness are more realistic than Ponyboy's sensitivity and intelligence, especially given their backgrounds. In idolizing his big brother, The Motorcycle Boy, Rusty James also shows a lack of understanding that, in my opinion, is a more standard part of adolescence. In my opinion, Ponyboy was just a mite too prissy about the culture surrounding him to be really believable. Although I guess he was more of a "fish out of water", which was how Hinton always portrayed him in the book. Using such an oddball of a main character meant that the book, athough it had a veneer of "greaserness", did not contain it at its core. Put Ponyboy in madras and give him a nice car, and he could be a Soc. In contrast, Rusty James is definitely a product of his environment, with the exception in that everyone is so disconnected from each other and he longs for the good ol' days of gangs. (He really would have made a great enforcer or toady, but as several characters noted in the book, Rusty doesn't have the smarts or wiliness to be successful by himself.)
Now, let me talk about The Motorcycle Boy. His character could've been butchered if it had not been handled correctly. "Cool" characters tend to date rapidly as trends and catchphrases change. I think an important part of The Motorcycle Boy's timelessness has to do with the different ways that people perceive him. Rusty James idolizes him. Steve thinks he's a "psycho" and is afraid of him. His father calls him a "disinherited prince" and the cop thinks he's a menace to society. Aloof, disengaged, and disinterested, he's hard to pin down. There's this fascinating difference about him-but it is both a lack of something as well as an addition. (I hope that makes some sense.) He's a larger-than-life character that others react to strongly, either recoiling from or worshipping.
3. The theme is better. In The Outsiders, the larger meaning seemed to be that there was no real difference between the social groups and the idea that anyone, from any group, can be a hero. It's a little hokey, although something that may strike some middle schoolers as profound. (They're quite into their groups at that age.) Rumblefish is a more mature idea of the effect of an environment on a person, especially an exploration on the limitations put on people by their environments. Is it better to be suited, to fit in with your society or is it better to have a higher level of understanding?
1.It is more honest about the lives of young adults. The Outsiders would mention some things: drinking (although no drugs), cheating in relationships, dysfunctional families, random violence, but they wouldn't show it. Also, the consequences of those actions were more standard and less nuanced than in real life. Ironically, this makes The Outsiders more likely to be read. In my school district, The Outsiders is taught as part of the 7th grade curriculum and the kids love it.
2.The characters were more realistic. I knew several Rusty Jameses growing up. His impulsivity and shortsightness are more realistic than Ponyboy's sensitivity and intelligence, especially given their backgrounds. In idolizing his big brother, The Motorcycle Boy, Rusty James also shows a lack of understanding that, in my opinion, is a more standard part of adolescence. In my opinion, Ponyboy was just a mite too prissy about the culture surrounding him to be really believable. Although I guess he was more of a "fish out of water", which was how Hinton always portrayed him in the book. Using such an oddball of a main character meant that the book, athough it had a veneer of "greaserness", did not contain it at its core. Put Ponyboy in madras and give him a nice car, and he could be a Soc. In contrast, Rusty James is definitely a product of his environment, with the exception in that everyone is so disconnected from each other and he longs for the good ol' days of gangs. (He really would have made a great enforcer or toady, but as several characters noted in the book, Rusty doesn't have the smarts or wiliness to be successful by himself.)
Now, let me talk about The Motorcycle Boy. His character could've been butchered if it had not been handled correctly. "Cool" characters tend to date rapidly as trends and catchphrases change. I think an important part of The Motorcycle Boy's timelessness has to do with the different ways that people perceive him. Rusty James idolizes him. Steve thinks he's a "psycho" and is afraid of him. His father calls him a "disinherited prince" and the cop thinks he's a menace to society. Aloof, disengaged, and disinterested, he's hard to pin down. There's this fascinating difference about him-but it is both a lack of something as well as an addition. (I hope that makes some sense.) He's a larger-than-life character that others react to strongly, either recoiling from or worshipping.
3. The theme is better. In The Outsiders, the larger meaning seemed to be that there was no real difference between the social groups and the idea that anyone, from any group, can be a hero. It's a little hokey, although something that may strike some middle schoolers as profound. (They're quite into their groups at that age.) Rumblefish is a more mature idea of the effect of an environment on a person, especially an exploration on the limitations put on people by their environments. Is it better to be suited, to fit in with your society or is it better to have a higher level of understanding?
March 18, 2010
Recently, having been somewhat forced into YA literature (see my review of
The Last Summer Of The Death Warriors
) - a genre I've never really explored - I made some disparaging remarks of the genre, which a friend took offense to. She said, "not all YA is like that damn book you read. Try S.E. Hinton's Rumble Fish, it's tough as shit - sorta like the O.G. of YAs." With a pitch like that how could I resist? I'd seen the movie, I had no idea it was a book. But then, at a scant hundred and twenty-two pages it isn't really a book, more of a novella, chap book, or pamphlet. Not that I'm insinuating that size matters. After all Denis Johnson's Jesus' Son is only what? A hundred and forty some odd pages and it's a favorite. So I don't even know why I went there and the truth is I liked Rumble Fish. I read it in one sitting. The dialogue flows, the imagery beautifully bleak, the characters and their relationships to one another work. When I ran out of book, I read the liner notes. It said S.E. Hinton wrote her first novel, The Outsiders when she was sixteen! Then it went on to say that Hinton's "books have provided young adults with a window through which they can view their world and which will help them to grow and to understand themselves and their role in society." Hmmm, now that's a tall order. So, okay, yeah, if you're sixteen and write a novel for your peers is it Young Adult literature because you're a young adult? I'm so damn confused. Although, I've noticed that most writers of YA aren't "young" per say. Except maybe that young woman in Japan who writes best selling mega hit novels on her cell-phone. Yeah, I'm still confused.
July 14, 2018
What a depressing story. Loved it.
December 15, 2009
The first time I read this book I didn't like it as much because I didn't have quite the dark surreal vision of it that Coppola had from the film he made based on this book in my head. I re-read it after watching the movie (which is one of my all time favorites) again recently and had a different view of it. I actually even had the great soundtrack playing in my head most of the time while I was reading it.
Rumble Fish differs from other S.E Hinton books in that most of her books are mainly based around a sensitive intelligent type that is forced to be tough and hard due to bad circumstances whereas this book is through the eyes of a guy that is dumb as a rock, insensitive and not particuarly likable at all. I even have to wonder if the guy is supposed to be brain damaged from being wacked in the head so many times in street fights he is so stupid and forgetful. He totally idolizes his older Brother who is a neighborhood hero to all the local hood types. The narrator is considered a tough guy, if not the toughest, in his age group to all the other young guys in the neighborhood but he just doesn't have the brains, charisma or fighting ability that his older Brother has. There's a lot more to this book of course. One thing I like about Hintons books as they are all seen from a white poor/working class viewpoint, which it is rare that books, fiction or otherwise are written about people of that background.
Rumble Fish differs from other S.E Hinton books in that most of her books are mainly based around a sensitive intelligent type that is forced to be tough and hard due to bad circumstances whereas this book is through the eyes of a guy that is dumb as a rock, insensitive and not particuarly likable at all. I even have to wonder if the guy is supposed to be brain damaged from being wacked in the head so many times in street fights he is so stupid and forgetful. He totally idolizes his older Brother who is a neighborhood hero to all the local hood types. The narrator is considered a tough guy, if not the toughest, in his age group to all the other young guys in the neighborhood but he just doesn't have the brains, charisma or fighting ability that his older Brother has. There's a lot more to this book of course. One thing I like about Hintons books as they are all seen from a white poor/working class viewpoint, which it is rare that books, fiction or otherwise are written about people of that background.
November 19, 2017
I liked this book a lot. If you liked the Outsiders then I recommend this book. It has the same kind of style. An overall great book that's a very quick read. It took me less than a day.
Want to read
July 4, 2024i actually forgot i read this 😭
December 12, 2024
Hinton's writing feels much more mature here than in 'the outsiders', although it is my favourite of her works. I'm very excited to watch the movie adaption of this one as its also by Francis Coppola and stars Matt Dillon
February 26, 2018
Although S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders," is taught in almost every high school in America, one of her other novels, "Rumblefish" is one of my all time favorite novels for an English class. This book gives readers a graphic look at a world that is familiar in some aspects, but foreign in many others. It shows character growth as well as character downfall. It is a roller coaster ride of emotion, all packed into a short novel that can be managed in a couple weeks in a high school class, or stretched out further for a middle school class. Although there are graphic moments in the book, the main character is a fourteen year old boy that students at a middle school level can relate to. The events that unfold are told from a perspective that is familiar in tone.
This book is great for assignments linked in identity. Since the book is told from a first person point of view, I think it would be interesting to have students write from other perspectives in regards to this novel. Cunningham's "Developing Readers and Writers in the Content Areas K-12 has a great strategy that uses this idea of different perspective. The strategy is called, "Concept Diaries," and the basic idea is to write journal entries from different character perspectives at different points of the novel. It will help students view things from different character perspectives, and will make them look at the characters and their motivations in a unique way.
This book is great for assignments linked in identity. Since the book is told from a first person point of view, I think it would be interesting to have students write from other perspectives in regards to this novel. Cunningham's "Developing Readers and Writers in the Content Areas K-12 has a great strategy that uses this idea of different perspective. The strategy is called, "Concept Diaries," and the basic idea is to write journal entries from different character perspectives at different points of the novel. It will help students view things from different character perspectives, and will make them look at the characters and their motivations in a unique way.
June 6, 2013
I think it is good book depending whats your favorite genre of a book this genre would be action. Its no a long book you can read it very quickly but pay attention to the details it makes you seem like your right their watching every thing thats happening. It's theme is old gang viollence like rumbles and other type of fights. To sum it up I say its a good book in my opinion since I like action books. This is not everybody's opinion just mine.
July 2, 2008
I thought this book(and movie) was WAY better than The Outsiders. I would like to have a hard cover edition because I reread it constantly.
September 21, 2010
Good Book,
February 18, 2011
It Was Really Good
October 6, 2011
Classic America, broken family scene.
June 6, 2013
Amazing book if you liked the outsiders worth a read for any young man struggling
February 17, 2012
This is a classic. Great story and sad too.
July 13, 2017
This was a great choice to read after The Outsiders if you just can't get enough of that rough and tumble life. There were some easy themes to pick up and the characters were well written. Motorcycle-boy reminded me of youth today and how they try in small ways to make a big difference. It did leave me with the question - did Rusty (spoiler) mean to cut his arms in the window or was it just a fit of anger? I think this is a fun book to read with a whole class and discuss it.
October 20, 2022
Rumble-fish is an interesting piece written from the point of view of a rather unintelligant teenage boy. In his simple, short-sighted view, his future was shaped by the immediate people he was around. It was a beautifully set out book describing how our social environments mould who we are, and how our roots never leave us.
April 14, 2025
As an S.E Hinton lover, this was my favorite book of hers. Even though it was incredibly short, I enjoyed the buildup. When I first read this, I was confused on what was the climax since this story moved so slow.
August 22, 2018
S.E.Hinton is still going strong with the gangs . Reminds me a bit about the beats and On the Road how they dig the life .
October 30, 2018
Short and sweet, a little sad throughout but I enjoyed this a lot.
February 7, 2021
I love you S.E. Hinton, but I remember this being so much better. Maybe because I was 7 when I read it? Still good for nostalgia though!
January 27, 2022
this book was rlly good i read it in an hour but it was fast paced for me and although i loved the story it was just very mid
February 10, 2022
Motorcycle boy is 17 and we are calling him still motor..... Nope I can't. Just save yourself...
June 1, 2022
Couldn't enjoy the main character. Unlike the heroes in the previous two books I read, The Outsiders and That was then.... I couldn't get on board with this book. Well written but I didn't connect.
December 14, 2023
There were so many unanswered questions.
December 27, 2023
I feel like there were 50 pages at the end that I missed bc I'm so confused
November 8, 2014
While I know the novel was set ~70's ish - it has definitely has this timeless quality that I appreciated. It's definitely written with a YA audience in mind, and the wording is simple, however there is a directness to the prose I was drawn to. The character's thoughts, feelings, words, are often 'explained' with though provoking statements. Short things that, more then once, gave me a pause. The real depth of the novel, the reason I'm 4 staring this when, from the outside, it seems like it shouldn't can't be explained without spoilers...
Anyways, all that being said, the novel was fairly simplistic, and I ripped through it in two short sessions. It wasn't able to procure some Zen state in it's shortness and simplicity however, it wasn't poetry, and I can't give the author too much credit on some YA fiction like this, so, I am four starring it. Anyways, if you have a few hours and the willingness to read into, then I'd recommend this to anyone.
Anyways, all that being said, the novel was fairly simplistic, and I ripped through it in two short sessions. It wasn't able to procure some Zen state in it's shortness and simplicity however, it wasn't poetry, and I can't give the author too much credit on some YA fiction like this, so, I am four starring it. Anyways, if you have a few hours and the willingness to read into, then I'd recommend this to anyone.
Currently reading
November 4, 2014 In S.E. Hinton’s novel, Rumblefish, the author’s main theme is to be true to yourself. The story takes place in the 1970’s in a southwestern city. Rusty-James is the typical fourteen-year old bad boy who gets into trouble as a teenager. His only goal in life is to be like his brother, the Motorcycle Boy. Whatever the Motorcycle Boy does, Rusty-James copies and follows. There is no parental support at home. His mom left the family to move to California, and his dad is drunk all the time. He does not develop his own self-image. He just imitates his brother. His best friend, Steve, tries to encourage Rusty-James to be himself and get ahold of his life. He wants to keep his friend from getting into even more trouble.
The author uses very distinctive and descriptive imagery to illustrate the characters’ relationships. For example, Hinton paints a very clear picture of Rusty-James’s father. He always has a blank look about him and appears to not care about his sons. When Rusty-James talks to him, he “would just look at me like he didn’t understand English” (33). The father is just clueless like a person who does not even understand the language. Hinton uses imagery to describe characters, too. She uses a simile to illustrate how confused Rusty-James is by Motorcycle Boy’s description of their early childhood. “Trying to understand it was like trying to see through fog” (46). The story of their early life is just so confusing that it is thick like fog. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys The Outsiders. It is a similar story about young men growing up.
The author uses very distinctive and descriptive imagery to illustrate the characters’ relationships. For example, Hinton paints a very clear picture of Rusty-James’s father. He always has a blank look about him and appears to not care about his sons. When Rusty-James talks to him, he “would just look at me like he didn’t understand English” (33). The father is just clueless like a person who does not even understand the language. Hinton uses imagery to describe characters, too. She uses a simile to illustrate how confused Rusty-James is by Motorcycle Boy’s description of their early childhood. “Trying to understand it was like trying to see through fog” (46). The story of their early life is just so confusing that it is thick like fog. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys The Outsiders. It is a similar story about young men growing up.
July 14, 2013
Fourteen year old Rusty-James seems much older; in fact, it's hard to think of him as fourteen except he when he mentions it. Abandoned as a toddler by his mother, he's grown up with a mostly-drunk father and an older brother who was once president of the neighborhood gang. As a result, Rusty-James has been nursed on a nectar of violence and rebellion, leaving him at odds with himself and those around him when his brother mysteriously disappears.
Trying to fill his brother's shoes proves to be a huge task, especially in a neighborhood that seems to be drifting away from his brother's shadow of "coolness". When his brother appears again as suddenly as he vanished, Rusty James (don't call him just Rusty) has to figure out what that means for him.
In the tradition of her other books, Rumble Fish is about the less-perfect teenage life, the growing up in broken homes and broken neighborhoods. It's violent and gritty and not particularly hopeful. This book, in particular, feels particularly bleak; I wasn't left with any sense that life could get better for Rusty James, that he'd be able to escape eventually. A quick read, easy in terms of pace due to the intended audience, but very sad.
Trying to fill his brother's shoes proves to be a huge task, especially in a neighborhood that seems to be drifting away from his brother's shadow of "coolness". When his brother appears again as suddenly as he vanished, Rusty James (don't call him just Rusty) has to figure out what that means for him.
In the tradition of her other books, Rumble Fish is about the less-perfect teenage life, the growing up in broken homes and broken neighborhoods. It's violent and gritty and not particularly hopeful. This book, in particular, feels particularly bleak; I wasn't left with any sense that life could get better for Rusty James, that he'd be able to escape eventually. A quick read, easy in terms of pace due to the intended audience, but very sad.
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March 5, 2014I am reading Rumble Fish right now but what i have gotten so far is that Rusty-James is the main character of the novel. Rusty-James is 14 and he has already started drinking, smoking, gang-fighting and playing pool for money. Rusty-James has a older brother The Motorcycle Boy.Rusty James has a problem fitting into society. His problems are solved with fighting since he is not smart and he looks to his older brother Motorcycle Boy for guidance. When his brother flees his own criminal charges Rusty James is left to fend for himself in the world. He has to make the choice to survive in the world without resorting to violence. He has to succeed and stop being a petty criminal.He is not aware that he will soon half to grow up and get a job but he does not care about his future as an adult.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews