I first read this book when I was about 13; that would have been about 1971. It was still a pretty new book; published in 1967. I know it's not great literature, but it touches me each time I've read it; but no time more than this time.
Over the past year I've had the opportunity to take care of and make friends with a patient at the hospital; a girl just 16 years old, who is dying of ovarian cancer. We have similar tastes in music, movies and books. Over the last few months we've shared our favorites with each other. One of the last times I took care of her I told her about this book and that S.E. Hinton was just about her age when she wrote it. I hadn't read it in several years and had forgotten many details; like Johnny's age when he died, and the line on page 107 "Sixteen years ain't long enough." When I read it this week I cried with regret at having given the book to her; thinking it would add to her hurting. But perhaps it might have been okay, knowing that even a fictional character felt what she is feeling.
So many things I love about this book; the relationship of the three brothers and their group of friends, Ponyboy's love of poetry and sunsets, Darry's feeling of responsibility, Johnny being like a "southern gentleman" (pg 106), the correct use of the phrase "I couldn't have cared less." (pg 141) I guess that's one of my pet peeves, but S.E. got it right.
I hope you who read it have enjoyed it. And I'm dedicating this family book club reading of it to Karlee.
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You have the most amazing experiences, Mom! The people you meet and care for, and the relationships you build with them. I remember you telling me about Karlee this summer. I haven't read the Outsiders yet, but I will have Karlee in mind as I do. Thank you so much for telling us about her!
ReplyDeleteYou're tougher than I am, Johanna. I don't think I could do that so constantly as you do. When my student Vicki Hart died over the Christmas break a year before I lost my job, I was really torn up. She was on her second try to get through all the History credits. The Cystic Fibrosis just wouldn't let her stay in school enough days in either her Junior or Senior years to get finished with History, and probably with other classes as well. I recently communicated with her sister who said it was a blessing that she was released when she was. I hadn't heard about it during Christmas, so it was March before I asked Mae Niederer where she was. The answer really caught me off guard and tore me up, even though I'd seen another kid, a boy, die of the same thing a few years before. But, as I told her family in a letter I wrote much later, about 2006, when next they see her she'll sprint towards them without being tired and without having to haul that oxygen bottle around everywhere as she always did in life. It's kind of funny... When you get tossed out over shouting at kids, people probably get the impression that you didn't love the kids. Nothing could be further from the truth.
ReplyDeleteProbably the strongest thing I can say for this book is that I bought it and read it in one sitting in one night. Shakespeare it is not, but there is greatness and truth in it that does make it "great literature". I loved this book, Johanna! LOVED IT!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for recommending it, and also for sharing your poignant story of Karlee. My heart broke as I read of yours breaking, too. I do think that you are right that reading that line about sixteen not being enough time probably expressed much of what was in her own heart and mind, even if reading it was bitter sweet. She knew of your love for her, and she would not have taken it the wrong way in any way. If anything she probably felt all the more that you really "got it".
We will have to be sure to include Karlee in this year's Relay for Life. Let's help keep her light and life with us!
Just to let you all know; Karlee passed away at her home in Shelley the day before yesterday. I'm glad you all got to know her a little.
ReplyDeleteMom I am sorry to hear that Karlee passed away. I would have to agree that "Sixteen years ain't long enough."
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time that I have read this book and I loved it. I loved all the boys but also the relationship between them. They were just trying to find a place in this world and someone to love them. I enjoyed how this was a coming of age story for not only the boys but the few other characters.
The greasers were just trying to find people who would accept them for them and the socs while popular were looking for the same thing. I think in some ways the greasers had it better in the aspect that their friends liked them for who they were and not what they had. I really enjoyed reading this and will read it again, thanks for picking such a great book mom.
Mom, I am so sorry to hear about your friend Karlee. That is so sad. When I first read your post a long time ago, I was too touched with emotion to know what to say. So, now, after having had time to think and after having read the book, here is what I thought.
ReplyDeleteI think it is so sad that stories like this really are true. I don't think or know how much of this book was real, but I am sure there are real stories like it. There are so many youth in this world who are lost to the world. And it's not even their fault. They have no choice but to live the life they do I guess. But at the same time, I love how they all make the most of their lives, together. They are each others family. They would do anything for each other. That kind of a bond is one of the greatest thing anyone could ever have. And for them to have that, although, they didn't have much else, is great. I think like Lynsey said, they were better off than the soc's because of that. I really love this book Mom. Thanks so much for choosing it. I will definitely be reading this again. Oh, and after reading the book, I love the movie even more. I don't think there is another movie that is more like the book it was made for. Wow, so many word for word lines. I love it!, And the characters are described in the book exactly as they are in the movie. So cool.
Oh, and my favorite part of the book, is the poem that states, "Nothing gold can stay". That is so true. Some of the most amazing and wonderful things in this world are here for such a short time. I imagine it's because of the short time that they are gold. That they, in a way, do stay gold. Sunsets happen every day, but are for such a brief moment that they always seem so miraculous. I sometimes wish that it could be fall always. That the tress could all stay those beautiful colors all the time. But if they did, they would lose their appeal and beauty. And so, they must go, in order to stay gold. Another thing that quote makes me think of is babies. Brand new babies I mean. They stay small for such a short time. And it is such a wonderful and miraculous time. Unfortunately that really is a one time thing. Well, at least for each child. :) Ok, I think I got all my thoughts down. Love you Mom, Love you EVERYBODY!!!
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