“growth is betrayal”

In her afterword, Hinton says that The Outsiders makes you feel but this book makes you think. That was then, this is now definitely gives you a lot to think about, and it differs from The Outsiders in the sense that the characters are flawed, real, and gritty, but not lovable. the main character’s arc is sort of him realizing how twisted his thinking and actions were “then” and facing the harrowing reality of “now”.

okay also on another note there is a ponyboy curtis mention and i love it