Rumble Fish (novel)
| Author | S. E. Hinton |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult novel |
| Publisher | Delacorte Press |
Publication date | 1975 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 122 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0440059194 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
Rumble Fish is a 1975 novel by S. E. Hinton. It centers on the relationship between the Motorcycle Boy, a revered former gang leader, and his younger brother, Rusty-James, who can neither live up to his brother's great reputation nor live it down. It is in the genre of young-adult fiction. An adaptation of the novel by Francis Ford Coppola, Rumble Fish, was released in 1983.
Themes
Worship
Because The Motorcycle Boy's reputation is so great, he once comments that it is, "A bit of a burden to be Robin Hood, Jesse James, and the Pied Piper." The Motorcycle Boy is well respected and "pretty famous in their part of the city."
Gangs
While The Motorcycle Boy ended gang fights, some time before the story takes place, Rusty-James seems to be obsessed with the idea of it. According to the book, he was in the Little Leaguers, the Peewee branch of the local gang, the Packers, when he was eleven. However, gang fights ended, and according to Rusty-James, "dope ruined the gangs." Rusty-James tends to get upset when people disregard "The Rules," a systematic moral check point for teen fights, such as telling your opponent if there is going to be knives involved beforehand, or that fights have to start out with insults.
Substance Abuse
The protagonist's father, was once a lawyer. However, he became an alcoholic after his wife left him. The Motorcycle Boy, "hates junkies," and we are never told why. Rusty-James, also, is opposed to gang fights, because again, dope ruined the gangs." Weston McCauley, the closest thing The Motorcycle Boy had to a friend and former second litenant in the Packers (local gang), is a heroin addict. Cassandra, a girl, originally a student teacher, who "thought she was The Motorcycle Boy's girlfriend," also does heroin, although she claims she is not addicted. Both Rusty-James and The Motorcycle Boy were stopped asking for identification for buying liquor when they were fourteen. Steve was originally opposed to alcohol, but does eventually get drunk, after his mother had a stroke.
Awards
- ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 1975
- School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, 1975
- Land of the Enchantment Award, New Mexico Library Association, 1982
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