What is That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton about?

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.

Who should read That Was Then, This Is Now?

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.

Is That Was Then, This Is Now worth reading?

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.

Who is S.E. Hinton and why is she significant?

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.

What are the main themes in That Was Then, This Is Now?

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.

How does Bryon betray Mark in That Was Then, This Is Now?

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."

What happens to Charlie in That Was Then, This Is Now?

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.

How does That Was Then, This Is Now compare to The Outsiders?

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.

That Was Then, This Is Now Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

That Was Then, This Is Now

S.E. Hinton

Relationship Personal Development Society Fiction

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

S.E. Hinton's darkest masterpiece follows foster brothers torn apart by drugs and betrayal. This 1971 coming-of-age classic earned the prestigious Margaret A. Edwards Award and became a 1985 film starring Emilio Estevez. Can friendship survive when loyalty demands impossible choices?

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That Was Then, This Is Now isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Relationship. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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That Was Then, This Is Now

S.E. Hinton

Relationship Personal Development Society Fiction

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary8min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card10 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun22min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

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Brothers in a Broken World

00:00

In the gritty streets of an unnamed Oklahoma town, sixteen-year-old Bryon Douglas and his best friend Mark navigate a precarious existence. They hustle pool at Charlie's Bar to scrape together enough money to survive, their bond forged in childhood and cemented when Mark's parents killed each other in a drunken confrontation years ago. Mark found sanctuary with Bryon's family, creating a brotherhood deeper than blood. Bryon, tall and dark-featured, possesses an uncanny ability to manipulate his appearance, while Mark moves with a dangerous grace, his golden eyes and lion-like grin masking the trauma of his past. Their world is harsh but predictable until the arrival of thirteen-year-old M&M - a peace-loving, candy-munching anomaly in their hardened environment. When Bryon begins questioning the morality of their lifestyle and falls for M&M's sister Cathy, the first cracks appear in what once seemed an unbreakable bond.

The Price of Protection and Growing Up

Death Changes Everything

The Search for Innocence

The Breaking Point

The Cost of Growing Up

When Brotherhood Breaks

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary

That Was Then, This Is Now Summary in 8 Minutes

Break down key ideas from That Was Then, This Is Now into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 10 Insights from That Was Then, This Is Now in a Nutshell

Distill That Was Then, This Is Now into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

That Was Then, This Is Now Lessons Told Through 22-Min Stories

Experience That Was Then, This Is Now through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

Personalize

Experience That Was Then, This Is Now in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 200,000+ Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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

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

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Similar books to That Was Then, This Is Now

More Like This

Key Takeaways

Brothers in a Broken World

The Price of Protection and Growing Up

Death Changes Everything

The Search for Innocence

The Breaking Point

The Cost of Growing Up

When Brotherhood Breaks

Quick Summary Mode - Read or listen to That Was Then, This Is Now Summary in 8 Minutes

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More Like This

Key Takeaways

Brothers in a Broken World

The Price of Protection and Growing Up

Death Changes Everything

The Search for Innocence

The Breaking Point

The Cost of Growing Up

When Brotherhood Breaks