Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

Solitaire by Alice Oseman

651 reviews

dark emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Just for context, I listened to the audiobook of the original version (apparently more recent versions removed certain pop cultural references and slightly sanitise some of the characters and mental health depictions). 

I'm glad I listened to the original because the teenage voice felt very authentic (which makes sense since the author was a teenager at the time of writing). The first-person narration vividly depicts how the world, school, and other people are perceived by a  teenager (the narrator, Tori). Even though some of Tori's views, opinions or language might come off flawed or distasteful (apparently some of this have been amended in the newer addition), those feel like an accurate representation of teenage immaturity and angst. 

Another thing that struck me about the novel, is that it felt like a time capsule of being at a British secondary school in the first half of the 2010s. There were a lot of very specific references which were satisfying to me, but might be somewhat mystifying to someone who did not have that very specific experience (I think several have been taken out in the new edition, which might make it easier to follow for non-UK readers).

Overall I enjoyed the book, even though YA school/relationship dramas have never been one of my preferred genres (e.g. I'm not a fan of John Greene and similar authors). Even though the book is ultimately about friendship, self-acceptance and struggles with mental illness, it deftly conveys this without being overly sentimental -something I really appreciated.

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dark emotional sad medium-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 cried 4 times. An incredible book I will never forget. Tori Spring I love you I love you I love you.  

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dark emotional sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It was beautiful… I liked that Michael didn’t come and immediately “fix” Tori, and that he was struggling himself, too, and also that there was no lust between them.

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challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated

Finishing the first 5 Volumes of Heartstopper to Oseman’s first Novel was jarring to say the least. It is interesting to read this where the POV is so narrow and precise! I admire it for its nerve to the almost cringe way teenagers thought they know everything and every decision is “life or death”. But the heart is there, which is why I love Tori Spring and the Heartstopper series in the first place.

PS. Awesome to know a different shade of Asexuality.

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challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring sad tense medium-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

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Honestly, this was not what I was expecting at all. It was deeper and more emotional than I thought it would be, and while at times it felt infuriating it all served the purpose of uncovering more of who Tori is. There are a good bit of triggers so I’d recommend checking those first before reading!

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