Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Solitaire

Alice Oseman's debut novel simply did not work for me and its very clear that it was written by a teenager.

Between the stream-of-consciousness writing style and lack of plot, it was difficult to get through the entirety of this story. I actually would've DNF'd it if I hadn't already been familiar with the characters from the Heartstopper series. It was mainly Nick and Charlie that had me (minorly) invested in this particular book and bumped my rating up .5 stars.

Unfortunately, I found Tori's story to be unrealistically awkward and extremely melodramatic. The topics surrounding mental health and suicidal ideation should've been handled with more care and offered some sort of guidance to readers who could relate to Tori's struggles.

Overall this was a total letdown and I'm left feeling bewildered.

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boreasword's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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itsmemiana's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

as the eldest sister, I really needed this book and I'm so glad I read it. I felt seen.

and I liked it but I'm not gonna lie, I was expecting to love it more. I was a little disappointed giving that Tori is one of my favourite characters in both the Heartstopper graphic novels/books and the TV Show. and while in this one she remained the same in a way... aka very relatable and cool (except for the part that she doesn't like to read😭), she also felt like a pick me girl sometimes 😭 and I HATED the way she talked about Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice.... that really got on my nerves. just her overal very judgemental vibe ESPECIALLY with other women. I hate people that are too judgemental.

but besides that, I really liked this book and it was nice seeing her and Nick and Charlie again. can't wait to read (and watch, yes Netflix, I want season 4) more about this little universe 🥹

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embersbooknook's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This was my first read by Alice Oseman - I have thoroughly enjoyed the Heartstopper tv show, and decided to start with Oseman’s first work, albeit the updated edition. I absolutely ADORE the way Alice Oseman writes her characters. I don’t know if I can completely put my finger on what it is, but they feel so real. Like they’re sitting right next to you. They feel so heartbreakingly human and complex and imperfect, and, as Tori notes of utter importance - REAL.

Oseman doesn’t put a pretty bow on depression in this story. Reading Tori’s character, and her somewhat insular point of view, you really feel the fatigue, brain fog, confusion, exhaustion, difficulty putting words to feelings/experiences, and anger/apathy that depression brings. I think maybe a reader who hasn’t experienced depression would find themselves very irritated at Tori in parts.
I have struggled with depression since childhood, and this book really got me thinking and processing as to my own journey with mental health and suicide ideation.
At my own frustration at existing as a teen. I saw the suffering in the world and just raged at a God I don’t know exists, constantly asking what the point of all this pain was?

As a highly sensitive person (the brain characteristic, it’s not a disorder but it does affect deeply the way that one interacts with/experiences the world - you can google Highly Sensitive Person if you aren’t familiar and see the psychological research that’s been done) with ADHD, I rarely lacked the ability to speak about what I felt, but describing it in a way others understood felt impossible for a long time. In that way I related to Michael’s frustration with his schoolwork.
I realized VERY early on in life that it wasn’t necessarily safe to talk about my feelings because people would get upset about how I felt. I didn’t have access to mental healthcare and only learned what depression was from a friend. I cried in relief, realizing I wasn’t broken or crazy. It was a real thing and other people felt it too.
I journaled extensively, not dissimilar to Tori’s blog. I felt incredibly alone in a world of people who all *seemed* so much more okay than I was.

This book is an honest look inside the heart and emotions of a person who is in a lot of pain, and has stopped being able to feel how much because it’s too exhausting.
Although my personality differs from Tori in that apathy wasn’t a way my depression manifested, she makes a lot of sense to me and this book means a lot to me.
It really helped me walk emotionally through so many isolating emotions and experiences I’ve had and process things I’d chosen to forget.

Tori and Michael’s friendship is a beautiful thing, and although they had a difficult run of figuring themselves and each other out, I was rooting for them the whole time.
Also, I TOTALLY FUCKING CALLED LUCAS, just saying. And Evelyn too!! Ahem. Anyways. 😂

Also it was so interesting to see Nick & Charlie as the background characters - I can see why Alice chose to draw them forward and write their story, and I’m so glad she did. I’m really just quite glad to live in the world at a time where Alice’s stories exist. 🥹

Not a book for those currently feeling suicidal, I would say - but otherwise I really kind of wish everyone would read this book. ❤️‍🩹

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