Review - Rumblefish
Title: Rumblefish
Author: S.E Hinton
Genre: Teens/fiction
Synopsis: Another of Hinton’s teen characters lives in the bad part of the neighborhood and has to deal with urban issues. (Just like in her more well known The Outsiders.) That having been said, it’s slightly different problems and the same amazing writing - I just kind of wish she’d pick up another subject matter, or I could easily typecast her as the ‘poor boys living in the hood’ writer. And I’d hate to do that.
Warning - the review under the cut may contain spoilers.
Writing Level: The Outsiders is a classic for a reason, and one of the reasons I picked up some other of Hinton’s books in a used bookstore. This one shows the same understanding of disturbed youth, the effects of poverty, and the depth of character that the Outsiders did. The phrases that Hinton will use are not only simple, but they very quickly cut to the heart of the matter at hand. Some of the best writing I’ve read, I’d dare say.
Plot: Another gang story. Again, don’t get me wrong - I just wish it didn’t seem so much like, oh, hey, it’s the Outsiders retold - kind of.
Characters: Perfectly drawn out, they exemplify the psychology of abandoned, poor teens, and are relatable even to those who don’t have their life experiences. Even when I found characters doing something that I cringed at the thought of, I understood why, and sympathized with them because I could see how they got there. That’s a good character right there.
Summary: Worth reading, but I don’t know if I’ll read anymore Hinton. From what I’ve read of her other stories, it’s pretty much more gang stories with a moral at the end. I think her one big drawback is it’s getting to seem like the same story after two novels, so why bother with a third? Highly recommended just for the writing quality and characters, however.
Author: S.E Hinton
Genre: Teens/fiction
Synopsis: Another of Hinton’s teen characters lives in the bad part of the neighborhood and has to deal with urban issues. (Just like in her more well known The Outsiders.) That having been said, it’s slightly different problems and the same amazing writing - I just kind of wish she’d pick up another subject matter, or I could easily typecast her as the ‘poor boys living in the hood’ writer. And I’d hate to do that.
Warning - the review under the cut may contain spoilers.
Writing Level: The Outsiders is a classic for a reason, and one of the reasons I picked up some other of Hinton’s books in a used bookstore. This one shows the same understanding of disturbed youth, the effects of poverty, and the depth of character that the Outsiders did. The phrases that Hinton will use are not only simple, but they very quickly cut to the heart of the matter at hand. Some of the best writing I’ve read, I’d dare say.
Plot: Another gang story. Again, don’t get me wrong - I just wish it didn’t seem so much like, oh, hey, it’s the Outsiders retold - kind of.
Characters: Perfectly drawn out, they exemplify the psychology of abandoned, poor teens, and are relatable even to those who don’t have their life experiences. Even when I found characters doing something that I cringed at the thought of, I understood why, and sympathized with them because I could see how they got there. That’s a good character right there.
Summary: Worth reading, but I don’t know if I’ll read anymore Hinton. From what I’ve read of her other stories, it’s pretty much more gang stories with a moral at the end. I think her one big drawback is it’s getting to seem like the same story after two novels, so why bother with a third? Highly recommended just for the writing quality and characters, however.