Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - This Winter

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

This Winter by Alice Oseman

435 reviews

ever_laurel's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Richtig und wichtig.

Content Warnings

danilo_syrtis's review against another edition

4.0

emotional informative sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

It’s Christmas! Sadly, this does not mean that all is well. After a horribly uncomfortable Christmas dinner, Charlie fights with his mother and then – despite Tori asking him to stay – leaves to go to Nick’s instead, leaving his siblings alone with their parents and their extended family …

I’ve never read Heartstopper (although I plan to), but I at least read Solitaire before I ever read This Winter, and before rereading it in February, I watched seasons one and two of the Heartstopper series, so I guess I know at least some of the relevant background.

As with Nick and Charlie, I do not have that much to say – I enjoyed reading this novella very much (although I am not usually one for novellas or slice of life), but it is short. I appreciate how realistic the depiction of people dealing with another person’s mental illness is – some people are helpful, some try their best, but ultimately end up being unhelpful, and some either do not know or do not care to actually try getting over their prejudices. Some passages are uncomfortable to read, but that is by design (and I think Alice Oseman handles them with care without necessarily sugarcoating anything). I also like how every (main) character has their own agency that is easily understandable. And once again, the illustrations are really beautiful!

The one thing that I did not completely like is the ending. It felt a little abrupt to me and one of the more interesting moments – in my opinion – basically happens off-page, which I find frustrating.

Content Warnings

solcatcat's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

brittlerealism's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

caelfind's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I fully believe it is impossible for Alice Oseman to write anything less than perfection. This was such a moving and emotional look into mental illness and its challenges, focusing in on the first Christmas after Charlie begins his recovery. Oseman has an undeniable talent for treating sensitive topics, such as ED, with care and honesty. Charlie’s recovery is tough; he has good and bad days, and not everyone is capable of or willing to offer the sort of help he needs. At the same time, there are positive influences in his life whose steadfast love and support prove so important. It was a very authentic and thoughtful portrayal of recovery, and Charlie is a brilliant and inspirational character. Everyone should read this book, and I recommend having tissues and a fluffy blanket to hand ♥️

Content Warnings