That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton Summary

That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton follows two teenage boys, Bryon and Mark, whose brotherly bond fractures as they navigate the harsh realities of growing up in 1960s Tulsa. The novel explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and moral awakening as Bryon discovers Mark's involvement in drug dealing, leading to a heart-wrenching decision that destroys their relationship. It's a coming-of-age story about the painful transition from childhood innocence to adult responsibility.

That Was Then, This Is Now is ideal for young adults and mature teens grappling with questions about loyalty, identity, and moral choices. The book resonates with readers interested in social realism, youth subcultures like Greasers and Socs, and the complexities of adolescent relationships. It's particularly valuable for those who enjoyed The Outsiders but want a darker, more psychologically complex exploration of friendship and betrayal.

That Was Then, This Is Now is widely considered S.E. Hinton's darkest and most emotionally devastating work, making it essential reading for fans of young adult literature. The novel delivers a powerful examination of how people grow apart and the consequences of moral compromises. Its exploration of substance abuse, violence, and the loss of innocence remains hauntingly relevant decades after its 1971 publication.

S.E. Hinton (Susan Eloise Hinton) revolutionized young adult literature when she wrote The Outsiders at age 15. She published That Was Then, This Is Now in 1971 as her second novel, further cementing her reputation for authentic portrayals of teenage life. In 1988, Hinton became the first author to receive the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in young adult literature.

That Was Then, This Is Now explores friendship deterioration, moral awakening, and the painful loss of childhood innocence. The novel examines how drug addiction and violence destroy relationships, forcing characters to confront difficult ethical choices. Hinton weaves in themes of nostalgia versus reality, showing how clinging to idealized pasts prevents growth, and how betrayal—even when justified—creates irreparable emotional damage.

Bryon betrays Mark by turning him in to police after discovering Mark's drug dealing operation. Despite their brotherly bond since Mark's parents' deaths, Bryon's growing moral awareness makes him recognize the harm Mark causes. This devastating decision severs their relationship permanently, with their final encounter described as "devoid of emotion while simultaneously brimming with intensity," featuring "burning hatred cautiously fighting with undying love."

Charlie, a friend of Bryon and Mark, dies in a violent incident that serves as a turning point in the novel. His death forces Bryon to confront the real consequences of the dangerous lifestyle he and Mark have been living. Charlie's death catalyzes Bryon's moral awakening and contributes to the growing tension between the two main characters as they process grief differently.

That Was Then, This Is Now is darker and more psychologically complex than The Outsiders, focusing on internal moral conflict rather than class warfare. While The Outsiders centers on Greasers versus Socs gang dynamics, That Was Then explores friendship betrayal and personal complicity in destructive behavior. Both novels share S.E. Hinton's Tulsa, Oklahoma setting and authentic teenage voice, but That Was Then offers a more emotionally devastating and morally ambiguous narrative.

The ending of That Was Then, This Is Now depicts Bryon visiting Mark in prison, with an unbridgeable emotional distance between them despite their history. The title becomes tragically literal—their innocent past ("then") is irrecoverable, while their present ("now") is defined by betrayal and separation. Hinton leaves readers contemplating whether Bryon made the right choice and how nostalgia can trap people in denial about painful realities.

Drug dealing and substance abuse function as the catalyst for the novel's central conflict and represent the corruption of innocence in That Was Then, This Is Now. Mark's involvement in selling drugs forces Bryon to choose between loyalty to his friend and moral responsibility to the community. Hinton uses drugs to illustrate how adolescents face adult consequences and how addiction destroys relationships, futures, and the idealistic bonds of childhood.

That Was Then, This Is Now remains relevant because it addresses timeless adolescent struggles with identity, loyalty, and moral decision-making under peer pressure. The novel's exploration of substance abuse, violence, and the difficulty of growing apart from childhood friends resonates with contemporary young adults. Hinton's unflinching portrayal of how nostalgia can prevent necessary change speaks to ongoing cultural conversations about personal growth and accountability.

That Was Then, This Is Now stands apart as S.E. Hinton's most emotionally devastating and morally ambiguous work, lacking the clear heroes found in her other novels. Unlike The Outsiders or Tex, this book features a protagonist who actively betrays his closest friend, forcing readers to grapple with uncomfortable ethical questions. The novel's ending offers no redemption or reconciliation, making it Hinton's bleakest exploration of how people inevitably change and grow apart.