Gordaen’s Blog

I have finished the first of several books that I have to read for this quarter. The Outsiders is considered the classic book that started the Young Adult genre. A movie was also made about the story and stars quite a few “big name” people. I have not yet seen the movie, but it’s supposed to be pretty good.

Background
Being the book that started the Young Adult genre, I figured I ought to read it. Firstly, I must say there is a difference between the books that are forced down your throat as a middle/high school student (e.g., The Scarlet Letter) and books in the Young Adult category. The former make you wonder why written language was ever invented. The latter can actually be interesting and enjoyable.

Synopsis
The main character, Ponyboy, is a young teen who prides himself on being part of the Greasers, a gang of sorts. His older brothers and friends are part of this gang and it has shaped the way he sees life. Being only 14, he’s the youngest member in the gang and he has grown accustomed to his buddies looking out for him. When he is jumped by the Socs (socials), he is rescued by other Greasers and we are introduced to the rivalry between the Socs and the Greasers. When things get really violent, he is forced to look at his life from another angle. Why is everyone fighting? Why is he fighting?

My Thoughts
Within the first few pages, Ponyboy is attacked by a group of the Socs. His buddies rescue him and we are introduced to them as characters. The intro is excellent because it starts out interesting and the book maintains that excitement throughout the novel (that’s especially good for a novel that might be read in school, because students are quick to judge books they are forced to read). The author might be female, but she does an excellent job of depicting both the masculine behavior of the boys and the softer side of their close bond. She also did great keeping with the voice of the story. It’s told from Ponyboy’s perspective and stays true to that. His perspective also keeps the reading quick and easy, which is definitely a plus. The message of this book is easy to pick up on, so I’d say the target audience is definitely younger (maybe 13, give or take three years), but it is an enjoyable book for adults as well.

The Verdict
If you never read this book when you were growing up, it’s worth picking up. Even if you’ve never been in a fight or even seen one, you can understand and relate to Ponyboy’s perspective.

Most Memorable Quote
“Stay gold, Ponyboy.”