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A review by mfrisk
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I found this book in the series to be a bit frustrating for a few reasons -
1. The miscommunication (though really for the age of the main characters this one I can excuse a bit more) is a bit grating but I can understand this more so as they’re running on emotions and stress which plays into this
2. The codependency of Nick and Charlie’s relationship - I find the romanticizing of this aspect of their relationship to be a lot more concerning. I hope that in the next graphic novel and future books there is more discussion of the importance both of friendships and romantic relationships. I feel like that is well captured in the earlier books and even the show especially with the inclusion of an asexual character but this book even more so than some of the others really elevates romantic relationships as the end all be all. I think it will be interesting to see where their relationship goes from here with long distance because I do think the amount they spend time with each other and are less aware of what is going on in their friends lives will create some potential rifts. Ideally Nick will make friends and have a life in college and Charlie will need to be okay with that and develop other aspects to his life as he finishes up high school.
1. The miscommunication (though really for the age of the main characters this one I can excuse a bit more) is a bit grating but I can understand this more so as they’re running on emotions and stress which plays into this
2. The codependency of Nick and Charlie’s relationship - I find the romanticizing of this aspect of their relationship to be a lot more concerning. I hope that in the next graphic novel and future books there is more discussion of the importance both of friendships and romantic relationships. I feel like that is well captured in the earlier books and even the show especially with the inclusion of an asexual character but this book even more so than some of the others really elevates romantic relationships as the end all be all. I think it will be interesting to see where their relationship goes from here with long distance because I do think the amount they spend time with each other and are less aware of what is going on in their friends lives will create some potential rifts. Ideally Nick will make friends and have a life in college and Charlie will need to be okay with that and develop other aspects to his life as he finishes up high school.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol