The Outsiders in Crazy Challenge Connection

May 23, 2014 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio, coming-of-age, 20th-century, young-adult, family, movie, friendship, concierge, library, social-commentary

Recorded book read by Jim Fyfe

From the book jacket: In Ponyboy’s world there are two types of people. There are the Socs, the rich society kids who get away with anything. Then there are the greasers, like Ponyboy, who aren’t so lucky. Ponyboy has a few things he can count on: his older brothers, his friends, and trouble with the Socs, whose idea of a good time is beating up greasers. At least he knows what to expect – until the night things go too far.

My reactions
What an extraordinary coming-of Recorded book read by Jim Fyfe

From the book jacket: In Ponyboy’s world there are two types of people. There are the Socs, the rich society kids who get away with anything. Then there are the greasers, like Ponyboy, who aren’t so lucky. Ponyboy has a few things he can count on: his older brothers, his friends, and trouble with the Socs, whose idea of a good time is beating up greasers. At least he knows what to expect – until the night things go too far.

My reactions
What an extraordinary coming-of-age novel. Hinton started this novel when she was only fifteen, and when it was published in 1967 she was eighteen. Like Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye it was a novel that touched a nerve in a generation eager for relevant literature.

Ponyboy and his friends are outcasts of a sort, but proud of it. Most come from what we would today call disadvantaged backgrounds. Ponyboy and his older brothers – Darry age 20, and Sodapop age 17 – live alone since their parents died in an automobile accident; they are a tight-knit family unit and know that the only way they can stay together is to stay out of trouble. Ponyboy is only fourteen, and he’s a good student, but his dress and hairstyle mark him as a greaser and troublemaker. His best friend is Johnny, whose mother ignores him unless she’s angry and whose alcoholic father routinely beats him. “If it hadn’t been for the gang, Johnny would never have known what love and affection are.” A serious altercation results in a death that will change everything for the boys involved – Socs and greasers alike.

I loved Ponyboy. His outlook is positive despite all that is against him, yet he is very realistic. He wants desperately to be recognized for the individual that he is, not for the label attached to him. He can be thoughtful and philosophical, as well as rash and impetuous.

One of the best things about the novel is also one of its major faults. It is written in the genuine voice of a teenager – emotional reaction supersedes rational thought. The characters see only a small portion of the puzzle and plunge headlong into the fray before considering consequences or other possible interpretations of the facts. Still, Hinton did manage to include a true “coming of age” epiphany at the end; a realization that things are not destined to stay the same; adults are not always the enemy, “nice boys” can be cruel and hoodlums can become heroes.

The audio book was capably performed by Jim Fyfe. He really brought Ponyboy, Johnny and the rest of the gang to life for me.
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3 likes · Like · see review

Feb 10, 2012 ilovebakedgoods (Teresa) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: slytherin-mmp, 2015, ebook-library

An eternal favorite.

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 17, 2011 Chris rated it really liked it

Shelves: united-states, youth, young-adult, fiction, middle-grades, classics, literary-fiction

Dated but still remarkably good. I was surprised by how much I liked this book. Set in mid-60s Oklahoma, Hinton tells the story of the Greasers (kids on the "wrong" side of town, hoods, juvenile delinquents, poor and with no future) and the Socs (kids from the "good" side of town, hot cars, pretty girls, world at their feet). Ponyboy Curtis lives with his two older brothers after the deaths of his parents. Compared to his friends, he actually has it pretty good. Most of the other greasers seen t ...more

1 like · Like · see review