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    The Outsiders
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    The Outsiders
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    The Outsiders
    Audiobook5 hours

    The Outsiders

    Written by S. E. Hinton

    Narrated by Jim Fyfe

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    50 years of an iconic classic! This international bestseller and inspiration for a beloved movie is a heroic story of friendship and belonging.

    No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends-true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up on "greasers" like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect-until the night someone takes things too far.

    The Outsiders is a dramatic and enduring work of fiction that laid the groundwork for the YA genre. S. E. Hinton's classic story of a boy who finds himself on the outskirts of regular society remains as powerful today as it was the day it was first published.
     
    "The Outsiders transformed young-adult fiction from a genre mostly about prom queens, football players and high school crushes to one that portrayed a darker, truer world." -The New York Times

    Editor's Note

    Stay gold, Ponyboy…

    S.E. Hinton’s novel certainly shows its age — it’s written and set in the 1960s — but it proudly stands up against the test of time. There are few things more beautiful than a bunch of boys bonding over sunrises and sunsets. There are few things more tragic than the grimness of the Greasers’ lives.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateJul 13, 2004
    ISBN9781400085323
    Unavailable
    The Outsiders
    Author

    S. E. Hinton

    S. E. Hinton was the first author to receive the Young Adult Services Division/School Library Journal Award for Life Achievement, and has received numerous other awards and honors. Her gritty and powerful novels have also inspired four major motion pictures. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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    Reviews for The Outsiders

    4/5

    5,398 ratings300 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Such a sad story! I loved the writing and I loved reading the story through Ponyboy's point of view. I must admit the rumble was a little bit of a let down. I don't feel it was clear enough as to why the Socs decided to retreat. I honestly was waiting for something more to happen between the Socs. Also I wish there had been more of an epilogue. I would have like to have known if the Socs kept to the deal and if Ponyboy or Darry ever made it out of town.
    • 5/5
      Reread.Oh my gosh this books gives all the feels! I haven't read this book since elementary school and I had forgotten how much I loved it.The story is haunting in a way. The social division between the Greasers and the Socs is something so true and real and very prevalent in today's society. The struggle of being a teen just trying to navigate the world around them was depicted so well. Being a kid/teen sucks no matter your social/financial situation. All walks of life come with their own set of problems and it's hard enough dealing with them and having to fight one another over, well nothing really. Jealousy, hate, boredom? The characters draw you in and make you develop attachments to them. I didn't remembered how very much I adored Sodapop until rereading this. And Dally... I always liked Dally, but reading this as an adult, I can appreciate him more. I can better understand why he was the way he was. Why he was so tough and cold, and why he was well and truly lost after Johnny's death. Ponyboy hit it on the head: Johnny was the only thing Dally loved.I love everything about this book, the writing, the story, the characters. The family dynamic between the Curtis brothers--the whole gang, because they're all one big family that looks out for one another as best they can. It's both beautiful and sad. I'm only sorry I took so long to reread this.
    • 3/5
      Read this for the library book club, even though I probably should have read it long ago. I don’t think it was ever required reading, but I feel like it’s one of those books everyone’s read - and I hadn’t! Until now. It was an ok book, I might have liked it more if I were younger. The story was interesting but not especially well-written.
    • 5/5
      Ponyboy is the youngest in the gang. They always stick together, he and his 2 older brothers, Darry and Sodapop lost their parents, but live together. This book takes place in only a few weeks, but is capturing and you become one of them as you read.
    • 4/5
      Stay gold, Ponyboy!
    • 4/5
      I am not a re-reader of books, but I have not read this book since Middle School/High School. I do not remember much about the book and have not watched the movie in forever either. I also did not love reading books recommend or required to read while in school, and feel like now is the time to read this again. Of course, it ended up being a great read.
    • 5/5
      This one is golden. It starts out cool and good, but then suddenly, it whips around and hits you real hard. The simultaneous deepness and simple thinking, really buries you deep, and I couldn't help shedding a tear for little johnnycake. It is real tough all around isn't it?
    • 4/5
      I’ve wanted to read this since I heard Rob Lowe talk about his experiences making the film in his autobiography. Whilst some of the slang and styling has aged the characterisation and themes of friendship, family, belonging and loyalty mean it still resonates today. Plot /b>Ponyboy is a (just) 14 year old orphan living being brought up by his older two brothers, and to a lesser extent, the gang of ‘greasers’ from their poor neighbourhood. Gang tensions based on socio economic distinctions bubble below the surface constantly and are brought to the forefront when one of their friends kills a ‘soc’ – one of the richer boys. Thoughts Reading this for the first time as an adult is an odd experience, the slang is dated, the many references to how the boys look and their obsessions with hair and shirts is difficult for a modern reader to relate to and the women in the story are largely irrelevant and one dimensional. And yet. There is a reason this book continues to win over teenage readers. The language is clear and straightforward and Ponyboy, whilst having a ludicrous name, has a clear and convincing voice that feels authentic and honest throughout.Thematically Hinton does not shy away from the difficult topics – Ponyboy is an orphan, domestic abuse in his neighbourhood is commonplace, the boys are petty criminals and their lives are violent. These issues are presented factually and honestly but as a narrator Ponyboy also shows provides the other perspective– they are also kind to their friends, supportive, sportsmanlike and academic. I think trying to reconnect with the teenage me – it is this nuanced characterisation that highlights the grey of life vs the black and white plus the age old tribalism of teenagers is what has made this such a popular novel.
    • 4/5
      I never had to read this book in grade school, so when it was on my list of suggested reading for my Young Adult Lit course I jumped at the chance. I honestly didn't know what to expect. I knew it was a classic and that everyone raved about it (and the movie? I think there was a movie...) but I never understood why.

      When you are given a synopsis of the story it sounds rather bland. I have to admit that even when I got 3/4's of the way through it I was still thinking, "this seems rather drug out." But the last chapter got me. I wept for Dallas and Johnny, and although it surprised me that there was a death by police scene, it added to the heartbreak the author was trying to portray.

      The book covered a lot of topics that are hard for young adults to talk about or deal with, such as social norms and what groups you fit in, not to mention the unspoken class system.

      Ponyboy realizes that there really wasn't that much differentiating the greasers from the socs, and that it was perspective that the groups disagreed on: The socs and the greasers watch the same sunset after all.

      Overall I really liked this book. I would give it 4.5 stars.
    • 5/5
      I sobbed over this book, on the bus, where admittedly I do all my reading. I was lent this book by a friend about midday and by midnight it was finished, with a few breaks for eating and such in between! But literally couldn't put it down. The characters are written in a way that is so true to the period in which it was written and yet still readable and easy to connect with, it's everything that a teenager wants in a book, and so very raw and honest in a way only young teenagers can be. The innocence of ponyboy and johnny, and what they have to face together, it makes you feel like a soc just reading the book, and feeling sorry for them. Definitely an all time favorite and one to be passed around to everyone I can get to read it.
    • 5/5
      This is a very good and well written book its characters are so belivable that at one point i felt i was inside the book on some scenes this book was so good it made me go back and read it for a second time.
    • 5/5
      SPOILERWalking home from the movies one night, 14 year old, greaser, Ponyboy is accosted by the Socs. He's saved by the appearance of other greasers. It turns out that Ponyboy is the youngest of three brothers. Next is Soda and oldest is Darrel who is trying to keep the family together after the death of their parents.Earlier, Johnny had been badly beaten by the Socs. The night after Pony's incident, he, Johnny, Dallas and Two-bit are at the walk-in part of the drive-in. They sit behind two girls and Dallas starts to annoy them. It turns out their Socs who ditched their boyfriends because they wanted to get drunk. Two-bit, Johnny and Pony befriend them and offer to drive them home. Two-bit's car is at his house and while walking there, they're seen by the boyfriends. The girls decide to leave with them.Later that night, the Socs come back and while one is dunking Pony in a fountain, Johnny stabs another, Bob-Cheryl's boyfriend, accidentally killng him. They turn to Dallas, who is tough and has a record, to get them out of the jam. He sends them to a church in the country he was told about to hide. After several days, Dallas shows up and Johnny decides to turn himself in. After feasting at the local Dairy Queen they return to the church to get their things and find it on fire. Pony and Johnny run in to save some young children in their. Pony gets out and Dallas runs in to get Johnny who is stuck there. They're heros.Johnny is badly burned and is in the hospital and may not make it. Dallas is in for a few days to recover. A rumble is set, which the greasers win. But soon after, Johnny dies. Dallas goes crazy and robs a store. The police find him and he points an UNloaded gun at them. They fire, killing him. Meanwhile, Pony has to testify regarding Bob's killing and the court must determine whether the family will stay together. I understand why The Outsiders is considered a classic. It is a compelling story, well written, with marvelous characters. It is a book of contrasts. Pony is a greaser who is smart and reads Gone With the Wind to Johnny while they're hiding out. Darrell quits school to save his family. It's a contrast between greasers who supposedly have nothing and Socs who supposedly have everything, but in actuality don't. It's a contrast within tough guy Dallas, a teen with a record, who cared so much for Johnny that he, in essence, kills himself after Johnny's death by pointed an empty gun at the police.The Outsiders is well written. It's got great characters, realistic action and while most of us are not greasers or Socs, it's got situations that we can relate to. It may take place in the 60s midwest but it's got emotions and conflicts that are real for today. Great book.
    • 5/5
      I really like this book and wish that there was a sequel or something. I REALLY liked the movie ! I'm just disappointed that there isn't a second book :/ ha
    • 4/5
      "The Outsider" is about a boy named Ponyboy who has to go through what most kids his age don't even think about. His parents are gone, and he is raised by his two older brother, Sodapop and Darry. Ponyboy has a few other close friends who are a part of their group, called the greasers. The greasers are poor and their arch rivals are the Soc's, who tend to be rich. One night, Ponyboy kills a Soc who is hurting him, and he doesn't know what to do so he runs. Then, one of Ponyboy's friends is killed while trying to rescue someone from a fire. In the end, Ponyboy learns many valuable lessons that will haelp him gorw up, but none more imprtant than loyalty and friendship.
    • 5/5
      the outsiders was my favorite book because it never got boring there was always a fight or some type of action i loved it. the greasers were always fighting the rich men.
    • 5/5
      i read this book in grade 8 (im now 22) and i still talk about it, one of my favourite books.
    • 5/5
      The story of two rival groups of people in different worlds. Extremely beautiful and sad at times. Just the right kind of read young adults will like, realistic but really touches you.
    • 4/5
      Stamped as Greasers, or better known as social outcasts to the Scos, the main character, Pony, is the youngest member of a gang of Greasers that consist of his two older brothers and their childhood friends. Fighting and being considered 'tuff' are the main worries of the Greasers while the Soc's don't have much to worry about, except to give the Greasers a hard time whether that means physical or verbal abuse. Ponyboy on the other hand has an education on his hands and seems to think more than a lot of the other boys. When the life of a Soc is taken by a Greaser all hell breaks loose as the two social groups decide to fight each other. Who will win and get the bragging rights? The story itself is one of self discovery in many of the characters, but mainly in Ponyboy who learns that sometimes, social stereotypes don't always brand a person correctly. I really liked this book first off because I thought Hinton truly capture the mind of a fourteen year old. Unsure of why adults do certain things and always making decisions without thinking are exactly the characterize a fourteen year old boy. The storyline itself was fast pace and was constantly on the move, which I also enjoyed. The brotherly bond between Ponyboy and his older brothers is evident as they are constantly on the lookout for him and joking around in the way that family does. Without their parents, it's surprising to find that they are a strong family unit and incorporate that with all their childhood friends. I could remember reading the outsiders when I was younger but reading it now is a completely different experience as I understand how their bond with one another and uprising affected their decisions throughout the novel. All in all, I really did enjoy the book the second time around, probably more than the first.
    • 5/5
      The author did a great job of expressing the moral of story. She used the two extremes of killing, and falling in love. Pony discovers that not all Socs are bad, but just a few make a bad impression. She also used a lot of similes throughout the book.
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book because it was funny, emotional and it has problems that people could possibly face in real life. I saw the movie a week after i finished the book, which was also good
    • 3/5
      I love the scene where Ponyboy reunites with his brothers Darry and Soda and how at that moment Ponyboy realizes how much Darry cares about him.
    • 5/5
      Wow, a short book with a lot of power. I cried a few times. This book can relate to anyone even if they are not in gangs or not in the popular crowd. This is about stereotyping, archetypes, conflicts within society and with others, and being someone you are not but think you need to be. Everyone has their own struggles and weaknesses underneath their outward appearance. This book was written with intention--to let others know about each others differences and realize that everyone is still human--an individual. Also, to help those see good in the world and know there's still hope and possibilities for a better life.
    • 4/5
      The outsiders was very possibly one of the best books ive read because first of all I can relate to this book because to me it makes sense and so i really enjoyed it but as you can see this isnt the sumary so.here is the summary: 7 boys (greasers) are in a gang together. they are as tight asa friends could be, until one incident rips three of them apart at the seams. When Darry (Ponyboy's older brother) hits Ponyboy he runs away from home and he ends up getting jumped by a group of socs. his friend Johny comes to help out but only makes things worse by killing the socs' leader.they then hide out at
    • 5/5
      One of the few books I really enjoyed reading in middle school, I have since bought my own copy and read it a few times. Something about this book connected with most of my classmates and students who usually didn't read actually enjoyed this one, a testament to how it connected with students and adults alike.
    • 4/5
      Ponyboy Curtis lives with his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. He gets good grades but is still considered a greaser. Greasers and Socs fight, and one day Pony is walking with his friend Johnny and is jumped by the Socs. Johnny kills one of them in self-defense, and the two friends hideout in the country. They eventually decide to turn themselves in, and when the find their hideout in flames and children trapped inside, they rush in to save them. The boys become heroes, Johnny is paralyzed and then dies, and Pony has to overcome his grief and get on with his life.
    • 4/5
      This book was a page turner it just kept you reading, the problem with that was that there was not space in between events it felt like this could have happened in three to four days which is very short for a book with 180 words in the contents. There was plus to the fast story to like it felt like you were reading it faster then you needed to. I recommend this book you like fast reads it may seem long but it goes by fast.
    • 4/5
      S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is a fantastic novel about the friendship among greasers during the 1960s. This novel shows that the typical "good guys" don't always turn out to the protagonists. A young group of greasers who are outcasts from their peers for being different face hostile remarks from their counter group the soc's. Ponyboy and Johnny, while attempting to run away from the pressures they face at home are harassed by the Soc's and forced to defend themselves from a beating that could have killed Ponyboy. When one of the Soc's winds up dead, the two have to make a run for it and go into hiding for a period of time before they find themselves back in their home town and having to face the turf warfare that has broken out while they were away.
    • 1/5
      It's not hard to see this was written by a teenager - cliched storytelling, a lack of skill with dialogue, ordinary prose, and regular dollops of unintentional humour. Very poor. Its critical reputation is baffling. It didn't convince me for a second.
    • 3/5
      A sound story about kids living in the underbelly of society and how the cope with their plights.
    • 3/5
      I think I liked this better when I was a teen. Reading it now for my YA lit class (and having read some criticism of it), it's a bit disappointing.