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Rumble Fish  By  cover art

Rumble Fish

By: S. E. Hinton
Narrated by: Tom Stechschulte
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Publisher's summary

Rusty-James wants to be just like his big brother, the Motorcycle Boy. He wants to be the toughest streetfighter on this side of the city, to keep his cool when things get dangerous, and to laugh when gang members challenge him to fight. Rusty-James isn't book-smart; he depends on his fists more often than his brains. So far, the Motorcycle Boy has bailed him out when his fists have gotten him into trouble.

But one night when Rusty-James ventures out of his neighborhood turf, his world is shattered by an explosive chain of events. And this time, the Motorcycle Boy isn't around to pick up the pieces.

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

What listeners say about Rumble Fish

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed

Outsiders was mandatory for 7th grade reading. From that point I read Rumble Fish and saw all the books that were made into movies. "Rumble fish" and "That was Then This is Now" became pre-teen favorites.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • K
  • 02-26-20

its ok

Its ok its not the best tho listen to better i also like the outsiders yall should read it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Rusty James and the Motorcycle Boy…

I have been a fan of S.E. Hinton since grade school having read all of her novels (way, way back in the day) and thought I would revisit her works with Rumble Fish. Not as popular as The Outsiders, I always liked Rumble Fish and even now in my forties can see the brilliant insight Hinton has when it comes to adolescence. This story follows Rusty James, who thinks he wants to be just like his older brother, the Motorcycle Boy, without really knowing his brother at all. If you enjoyed the “rough and tough” world of the Outsiders, then you’ll enjoy Rumble Fish. Great read/listen and Tom Stechschulte does an excellent job with the narration. #Brothers #ComingOfAge #FishOutOfWater #Tagsgiving #Sweepstakes

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

best summer school book for middle and high

The absolute best book for Las Vegas MS/HS summer school teaching... all enjoyed!!! teacher too!!!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Wrong Performer for this story

While Rumble Fish isn't my favorite SE Hinton book it is one I have enjoyed since childhood. The story is not your usual coming of age tale and Hinton write her characters quite well. You can easily relate in some way or another to Rusty James and his odd relationship with his brother 'the Motorcycle Boy'.

I think that the choice of Tom Stechschulte as performer for this audio was pretty far off base. This story is told from the viewpoint of a 14yo boy and Stechschulte has a much older voice. Also, his halting speech and oddly timed breaks in the middle of sentences throws the story off quite a bit. I'm sure I would have enjoyed it as much as I once did were it more appropriately cast.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

it's an OK book

the book was a little confusing but overall the story is ok just ok nothing more nothing less.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Classic Coming of Age Tale

Since I was a kid and first read The Outsiders as a kid I've been a fan of S.E. Hinton. This story is set in a similar environment as Outsiders with characters going through the normal teenage angst, especially those growing up in disfunctional homes. I always love how layered her characters are and how they develop from beginning to end.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not the Outsiders by any means

Narrator appeared to have a learning disability. Story was equally stunted and drooling. Avoid it.

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