The Outsiders (SparkNotes Literature Guide)

A must-read for everyone! Ponyboy Curtis is your average kid that doesn’t come from much, but he likes what he has and he’s proud to be a greaser. But as we all knopw, life isn’t always fair or nice and Ponyboy finds himself on the run and hiding from the police after a tragic incident between the greasers and the Socs, the social elite kids from Tulsa. While I am quite curisous about classics and what kinds of stories manage to stay relevant for so long, I did not read The Outsiders because of that (or because of school), I picked up this book because I’d already heard about the musical and the soundtrack alone had managed to bring me to tears (and still does especially after learning more abuot the story and characters). That said, I did not cry while reading this book, instead it managed something, I don’t have nearly as often: I got goosebumps. Especially the last pages of this book, with references to small details all throughout the story, had me reaching for my heaviest, fuzziest blanket. The entire story, the characters, Ponyboy, Sodapop, Johnny Cade and Dallas really stay with you for quite some time and make you think about a lot of stuff, and they remind you to always stay gold. If you’re looking for a book that feels like a warm, cozy hug, this ain’t it. But it is that awkward side hug while silently sitting side by side and leaning your head on their shoulder thing.

This book definitely deserves more love and attention. This wonderful, heart-wrenching story surprised me in so many ways and I loved every second of it. A very relatable story about true friendship and finding your place in the world.