Rumble Fish

By: S. E. Hinton

Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte

An ALA Best Books for Young Adults

A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

The classic YA novel Rumble Fish, written by celebrated novelist S.E. Hinton and immortalized by legendary film maker Francis Ford Coppola.

Rusty James wants to be just like his big brother Motorcycle Boy—tough enough to be respected by everyone in the neighborhood. But Motorcycle Boy is also smart, so smart that Rusty James relies on him to bail him out of trouble. The brothers are inseparable, and Motorcycle Boy will always be there to watch his back, so there’s nothing to worry about, right? Or so Rusty James believes, until his world falls apart and Motorcycle Boy isn’t there to pick up the pieces.

From the author of The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton looks into a world where hope is hard to find, and violence is a fact of life.

“Stylistically superb. … This packs a punch that will leave readers of any age reeling.”—School Library Journal

©1975 S.E. Hinton (P)1995 Recorded Books

Kind of depressing but when you think about it it’s super impactful

Rumble Fish is a sharp, moody look at a kid who’s drifting through life without really understanding who he is. The narrator of the audiobook comes off a little too monotone at times, but it actually works — Rusty-James himself is disconnected, dulled by his environment, and almost emotionally numb, so the flat delivery ends up matching his mindset.

The story’s meaning sits in that numbness. Rusty-James is trying to live up to a legend he doesn’t understand, trapped in a cycle of fighting and identity confusion. The Motorcycle Boy tries to break that cycle, but his death forces Rusty-James to finally see that violence and reputation don’t lead anywhere. The book is ultimately about how a person shaped by chaos has to lose everything before realizing who they don’t want to become

Hmm

Not real sure what this was even really about. The story kept me listening but it was like I was waiting for something to actually happen that never really did.

Great book. Short but sweet.

The story is really only over the course of a few days, but it's pretty easy to get sucked into it and really connect with the characters. Without a doubt the protagonist is really just a common bully, but the story makes you feel like you can absorb his struggle too.

Book lovers review of rumble Fish

This is an amazing story, but the plot twist at the end will leave you in tears. I love all of Essie Hendon’s books. I read the outsiders, which is why I wanted to read this and it did not disappoint. 

Childhood Favorite

I have read this book probably 7 to 10 times. Was a big SE Henderson fan as a teenager. Nice to hear the buccaneer out loud.