I hold a lot of books very close to my heart, but the latest one that beat cupid to it was the modern classic ‘The Outsiders’ by S. E. Hinton. Apart from being reminiscent of ‘The Catcher In The Rye’ by J. D. Salinger, there is something special about simple narratives that tug at the heartstrings.
The coming-of-age novel takes place in the late 1960s and talks about the division between the upper and lower class society, also known as “greasers” in the eyes of teenagers.
One of my favourite quotes from the book is: “Things were rough all over, but it was better that way. That way you could tell the other guy was human, too.”
It’s fascinating for a simple realisation to hit you in so many places; no matter your social status or the way you comb your hair, we all witness the same sunsets and breathe the same air.
Although Hinton grasps the innocence and hopefulness of young miscreants, the predicament in acceptance and complete understanding of the self surpasses age; this book is meant for the young and young-at-heart. A light read meant for just one sitting, ‘The Outsiders’ is raw with emotion and every reader is bound to bond with this book.
— The reader is based in Dubai.
