Criticism > Contemporary Literary Criticism > Hinton, S. E. - Charlene Strickland (review date October 1988)

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Charlene Strickland (review date October 1988)

SOURCE: A review of Taming the Star Runner, in School Library Journal, Vol. 35, No. 2, October, 1988, p. 161.

[In the following review, Strickland maintains that Taming the Star Runner pales in comparison to Hinton's earlier works, faulting what she perceives as weak characterization, a flimsy storyline, and a theme of hopelessness.]

Devoted fans will leap on Hinton's new novel, [Taming the Star Runner,] yet her protagonist Travis is no Tex. On the surface, this 15 year old resembles the classic misfits from the author's previous books; however, Travis lacks Tex' zest for living. Released from juvenile hall to cool down at his uncle's Oklahoma horse ranch, he acts the role of sensitive punk—he looks like a rebel and flies into violent rages, yet he seeks to publish his novel and he loves his cat. He wants to be left alone, but he suffers from being ignored by the...

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1. Introduction
2. Principal Works
3. Criticism
   1. Zena Sutherland (essay date 27 January 1968)
   2. Times Literary Supplement (review date 30 October 1970)
   3. Jane Powell (review date 2 April 1976)
   4. S. E. Hinton with Lisa Ehrichs (interview date November 1981)
   5. Gene Lyons (essay date 11 October 1982)
   6. Jay Scott (essay date April 1983)
   7. Michael Malone (essay date 8 March 1986)
   8. Charlene Strickland (review date October 1988)
   9. Elizabeth Ward (review date 12 February 1989)
   10. Patty Campbell (review date 2 April 1989)
   11. Charles Solomon (review date 12 August 1990)
   12. Steven L. VanderStaay (essay date November 1992)
   13. Susanna Rodell (review date 19 November 1995)
4. Further Reading
5. Copyright

1. S. E. Hinton