The Outsiders: S.E. Hinton (The Originals)

I’ve never read an SE Hinton book before; I’ll admit that until I read the introduction of The Outsiders that I didn’t even realise that Hinton was female. I assumed that a book about teenage boys and gang culture was written by a male writer. This was the first of many shocks; good shocks but ones that made me realise that I had a prejudice in me that I wasn’t aware of. Another surprise is that a book of such high acclaim could be written by someone so young. Hinton wrote her debut novel at the tender age of 17. Impressive – there is not much else to say on that matterThe Outsiders centres on two rival gangs the ‘Greasers’ and the ‘Socs.’ The ‘Greasers’ come from the wrong side of the tracks, have no money, work hard but for very little and they have little chance of bettering themselves. As opposed to the ‘Socs’ – the middle/upper class people of society who get away with whatever they do because they have the money to back them up.Things get out of hand when greaser Johnny kills a Soc when trying to save his friend (and the protagonist of this story) Ponyboy. This causes an out and out war between both gangs and the results are fatal.It would be fair to say that nearly 50 years on from its publication date that the slang in The Outsiders is dated but the intention and the thematic resonance of the book is still extremely powerful and relevant in modern society. There are still gang related crimes happening everyday; there are still young children playing at being grown-ups with no worry of the consequence. SE Hinton’s debut novel is still as potent and as readable today as it would have been when it was first released.What I will say is that as a book reviewer it does take a lot to impress me and whilst I do really like a lot of the books that I read it does take something special to have be finish it in one sitting. That is exactly what happened with The Outsiders. This book is a classic for a reason.The Outsiders by SE Hinton is available now.

I don't understand how this book escaped my reading list for all these years. Thank god I accidentally stumbled upon it and read it. The Outsiders is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of 14 year old Ponyboy Curtis, his two older brothers and their gang, and their struggles to get by, living on the 'outside'.“They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.”“...people get hurt in rumbles, maybe killed. I'm sick of it because it doesn't do any good. You can't win...even if you whip us. You'll still be where you were before - at the bottom. And we'll still be the lucky ones with all the breaks. So it doesn't do any good, the fighting and the killing. It doesn't prove a thing.”

It was for my daughter for school but it came in great condition

a bit expensive

This book is a really useful way to encourage teenagers to read. It is timeless and really supports meaningful discussions about life, culture and loss. A quick read too!

A really good book ,my teenage son read it for school ,and really enjoyed it.

I read this in my teens and thought it be good purchase for my son. He really enjoyed the book.

Arrived promptly and in good condition. Enjoyable to read with my 15 year old pupils

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is one of those rare books that captures the raw, unfiltered essence of adolescence—its struggles, its heartaches, and its fierce sense of identity. First published in 1967, this coming-of-age classic remains as relevant today as it was then, making it a must-read for both young readers and adults alike. The novel is told from the perspective of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year-old boy living in a working-class neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ponyboy is a member of the "Greasers," a group of boys from the lower rungs of society, constantly at odds with the wealthier, more privileged "Socs" (short for Socials). The tension between the two groups leads to violence, betrayal, and loss, and through it all, Ponyboy navigates the complexities of friendship, family, and identity. What makes The Outsiders so powerful is its honesty. Hinton, who was just a teenager when she wrote the novel, taps into universal themes of belonging, alienation, and the emotional turbulence of growing up. The characters feel real—each one grappling with their own internal conflicts, dreams, and insecurities. Ponyboy's voice is authentic and relatable, and through him, we experience the highs and lows of adolescence, from the thrill of first love to the devastating pain of losing those you care about. At its heart, The Outsiders is a story about the common humanity that unites us all. While the Greasers and Socs may come from different worlds, Hinton’s writing reveals that their struggles, dreams, and vulnerabilities are not so different after all. It’s a poignant reminder that, regardless of our backgrounds, we all yearn for the same things: love, understanding, and a sense of belonging. The novel’s impact goes beyond its themes—it has shaped generations of readers and inspired adaptations in film, theater, and even music. Its unforgettable characters, including Ponyboy, Johnny, Dally, and the rest of the Greasers, have become iconic in their own right. The novel’s famous line, "Stay gold, Ponyboy," has become a symbol of hope, resilience, and the desire to hold on to innocence in a world that often feels harsh. The Outsiders is a gripping, emotional, and timeless exploration of youth, class, and the bonds that tie us together. Whether you’re reading it for the first time or revisiting it after many years, it’s a story that stays with you long after the final page. STAY GOLD <3

O melhor livro que já li. Me prendeu do início ao fim, com bons personagens, boas ambientações e uma história bem escrita. Muito especial!

Like millions of students in North American schools, I discovered S.E. Hinton’s classic The Outsiders during my English classes. As a semester reading, her debut novel has always been included in many classes’ curriculums. And among the books I read at school, it was one of the best novels to study.Set over two weeks, The Outsiders recounts the trials of Ponyboy, a greaser who lives with his brothers Daryl and Sodapop after their parents passed away from a car accident eight months ago. Struggling in poverty and difficult conditions, that family nevertheless survives daily hardships thanks to Daryl and Soda’s friends; a group of greasers involving comrades like Two-Bit, Johnny, and Dally. Together, they help each other and also confront the Socs; upper-class dandies who live in luxurious conditions and who fight with the Greasers as the latter represents the poorer middle class. Therefore, it is within this social war that Ponyboy lives while he studies at school, rests at home, and enjoys his free time in cinemas, watching movies alone, or with his friends like Two-Bit, Johnny, and Dally like he decided one Saturday. An initiative that makes them meet two girls linked to the Socs; generating a tragic incident affecting Ponyboy and his friends forever.Set around 1965, The Outsiders makes references to pop culture figures like Elvis Presley (Greasers music) and The Beatles (Socs music), so for those who enjoy listening to music while, there are great Spotify playlists that present 1960s music. As a musical companion, it sets us right into the decade. An era of revolution, changes, and social confrontations. A story between two social groups in a middle-American town named Tulsa, Oklahoma. Furthermore, another crucial reference piece is Gone with the Wind, the classic by Margaret Mitchell. Read by Ponyboy to Johnny, this literary mention made me discover this classic which I started researching and it made me learn more about its movie adaptation and its novel.As for The Outsiders‘s importance, its publication was revolutionary as it changed the landscapes of Young Adult and Teen literature. Back then, most stories published in those genres revolved around girl crushes, High School proms, and Sports teams. But here, S.E. Hinton presented a plotline about teens in emotional and social turmoils; living social classes discrimination and fighting to survive; and where a very good-hearted teenager tries to reveal to everyone how socs and greasers are the same. Living in different classes, but struggling with social codes and life reality.So it is due to this capture of rough teen life that the book has been banned in certain schools and libraries. Nevertheless, its constant praises, words of mouth, and school readings have helped make it a best-seller for fifty years. With over 13 million copies sold by 2007; 40th anniversary of the book. And for this occasion, the Viking publisher released a special edition; featuring the original cover and printing typography inside. So when people read this copy, it is as if they hold the first edition in their hands. An edition that I find more rewarding and impressive than the so-so paperback edition I read at school that featured some heartthrob 1980s or 1990s teens. Indeed, the Original illustration is presented under pop art colors, dots, and hand-drawn squares. With the protagonists, drawn in rough-stick figures, running toward something (showdown between the Greasers and the Socs). A cover that helps make the novel accessible to adult readers who might want to read it, but might be too embarrassed to show that they are reading a teen novel.By the way, that S.E. Hinton wrote the story while in high school helps make the prose more raw and accurate to what a teen feels inside; with all the questions, anger, and doubts that teens go through as they see drama between two cliques. Had an older author written the novel, the words’ emotional and dramatic intensity might not have been as impactful.And as for the open-ending, it makes us wonder how will the story evolve for Ponyboy and his family. For the best or the worst? So what we have here is a recorded capture of two weeks that Ponyboy lives; where his life evolved through a rollercoaster of dramas and tragedies. And it is from that moment that we develop empathy for its protagonists. A team of youngsters trying to survive.About the movie adaptation, it was directed by Francis Ford Coppola himself, and it stars icons like Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, and other 1980s icons. I remember seeing the film, but I think it was the theatrical version; not the complete version that the director presented in a DVD release, featuring a new soundtrack and thirty minutes of extra scenes, making it more faithful to the novel.So overall, rereading The Outsiders 22 years later was quite an experience. It helped me recapture the feelings I experienced back then. An amazing time travel within a novel that I recommend everyone to read as the book’s reality is still actual. For it is a painting about how gangs and groups in conflict with each other are so similar in their pains and joys. A reality that some people still refuse to recognize sadly.

Lo recibí en excelentes condiciones, bien empacado y acorde a lonque esperaba.

i love this book so much i need it injected in my veins it’s so well written and so sad i read it 3 times and watched the movie 3 times too lovelovelove it pls but it i begg 😞🙏🏼 (inlove w ralph also)