About this title: Mark and Bryon have always been more like brothers than just friends. After the death of Mark's parents, he even moved in with Bryon and his mom. As the two boys grow into teenagers, Bryon worries about Mark's increasingly illegal behavior and begins to question whether he should be loyal to Mark, or stand up for his own beliefs.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Laurel Leaf Library
Date Published: 1975
Description: Fair. No dust jacket as issued. Sound copy. Some cover wear. Flipbook animation along the sides that does not interrupt the text. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. Audience: Children/juvenile; Young adult. read more
Binding: Mass-market paperback
Publisher: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers
Date Published: 1998
ISBN-13:9780140389661ISBN:0140389660
Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Mass market (rack) paperback. Glued binding. 159 p. Audience: Children/juvenile; Young adult. read more
"Summary That Was Then, This Is Now depict a year in the life of Bryon Douglas, and his foster brother, Mark. Both teenagers, they find themselves caught up in the inner city tough guy life of the 1960s. The story starts as Mark and Bryon go to one of their favorite hangouts, Charlie's Bar, a rough pool hall where they often try to hustle people for money. Later, they find their hippie friend, a kid with the nickname M&M, who tells them that his sister, Cathy, is home from private school. Bryon looks for a job but does not have any luck, even with Charlie, who tells him that he needs to change his ways before anybody will hire him. Charlie lets Bryon borrow his car, however, and Bryon asks Cathy to the school dance. During the dance Mark, after drinking some beer, gets badly beaten up. Bryon takes him to the hospital. Once home from the hospital Bryon and Mark reminisce about their gang childhood together and how life has changed since then. Bryon simply says, "that was then, this is now." Bryon notes that Mark can get away with anything. One night while hustling pool at Charlie's they were confronted by to Texans. A confrontation occurred and Charlie got shot and killed. The police give Charlie's car to Mark and Bryon. Unlike Mark, Bryon feels guilty about Charlie's death and begins to spend more time with Cathy, who understands him. The Texans are caught, and Mark and Bryon testify at the trial. Cathy tells Bryon that M&M has left home and she thinks he is doing drugs. Mark says he knows where he is, and he will take Bryon there. The next day after work, Mark directs Bryon to a house in a rundown part of town. After several visits, they eventually find M&M who is overdosing on drugs. They take him to the hospital. Bryon finds out that Mark is selling drugs and turns him in to the police. Mark tries to defend his actions, but Bryon realizes clearly, for the first time, that Mark has no sense of right or wrong. The police take Mark away, while he keeps asking Bryon why he's doing this. Bryon wakes up the next morning, unsure that he was justified in turning in Mark. Bryon finds he no longer loves Cathy and pushes her away. When Bryon refers to their past good times, Mark throws Bryon's words back at him, saying, "that was then, this is now." Mark is sent to the state prison; Bryon notes that he has lost the ability to care."
"THIS BOOK IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE AND IT IS THE SADEST I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
This book is about 2 brothers who are the closest, they protect each other, they love each other and they admire each other. But when they break apart because one is going to do nasty things the love and the protection becomes hatred and killing each other. this book marks a lot of things in life you shouldn't do when you grow up/16 and it is heart braking."
"I think I've read The Outsiders at least 6 times but strangely I've never read any other of Hinton's books until now. I picked this one up at the library for $1 and I'm very glad I did. It's just as gritty and real as Outsiders but it's time period is set a bit later. (Not too late for Ponyboy to make a cameo appearance though.It's fun even reading that name!) As a parent of a teenager and more on their way there it was a good reminder of all the crazy emotions of that age. My favorite part is Cathy crying to her father and saying, "You can't say, 'This is just a stage,' when it's important to people what they're feeling. Maybe he will outgrow it someday, but right now it's important." Loved it!"
"That was then this was now was kinda hard to get into i was always able to read a couple of chapters till it bored me and i had to put it down , but then as i started to get into it i relized that it wasn't SOO bad it was pretty decent
what i like about S.E Hintons writing is that she always surprises you "no surprise in the writer no surprise in the reader" describes her (:
-quick summary- Bryon and Mark are bestfriends and practically brothers Bryon has the player smart kid vibe and Mark can get away with anything when Bryon becomes to get more mature Mark doesnt and they begin to move apart then Bryon does something that may ruin their brotherhood and friendship forever."
We guarantee every item's condition, as described on Alibris. If you are not satisfied that an item is as described, return your purchase for a refund.
rating
