The Outsiders Turns 40
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I have to admit I did not read S.E. Hinton’s book “The Outsiders” until the weekend after I saw the movie, opening night in 1983. I remember being breathless, over both the story and the cast. I still have my old copy of the book.
S.E. (Susan Eloise) Hinton wrote “The Outsiders” while she was a high school student in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Though it seems to contain wisdom beyond her years, the books also cuts right to the soul of adolescence. The issue of gang membership is at the heart of the book. The battle is between the upper class “Socs” and the lower class “greasers”, but a lot of the emotions that run so high in the novel are mirrored in today’s gangs.
“The Outsiders” was published in 1967. Her publisher suggested she use the name S.E. Hinton to avoid scrutiny as a female author. Somehow, you cannot imagine that being an issue 40 years later.
According to Viking, a division of Penguin Group USA, “The Outsiders” has sold more than 13 million copies and still sells more than 500,000 a year. While many of her fans would love to see a new novel by Hinton, she admits that bringing back the type of stories she wrote when she was younger would be difficult, because she cannot muster up the same intensity. That speaks volumes about the author and the story. “The Outsiders” and the other books Hinton wrote when she was young all breathed the very essence of her own youth.
Hinton is still writing, though her current project a paranormal suspense, which seems more appropriate after all these years. Some of the best books for young adults are actually written by young adults, as best they should be.
I feel breathless now, just thinking about the emotions I felt while reading “The Outsiders” when I was 13 and seeing the movie. Even now, I’m pretty sure that kind of raw reaction is something I have not felt since.
Stay golden, Pony Boy.
That movie bothers.
Tom Cruise is in it.
He bothers.
Of course a very slender, very, very waifish Ralph Macchio is featured prominently.
The book.
Well, I read it so long ago, I can’t even tell you what my reaction was.
Heh.
Golden, indeed
*sigh*
I nursed a serious Ralph Macchio crush for a very long time.
I was so upset to find out her was 8 years older than me. I was a young girl and he was already a “man”. But then, I realized he never did grow any body hair and never seemed to look any older. Now a man ONLY 8 years older than me is a catch.