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A review by lilshelly
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
I see you, Tori Spring.
This clearly does read as a debut novel. But, in that, I see a very real, raw character in Tori. Everyone is saying how melodramatic and over the top and selfish this book is. But to that I say, this is the world when you are a teenager. I see so much of myself in Tori. I found myself struggling to connect with people my age. I felt like I didn't belong. I felt deeply, deeply sad. I felt selfish that I was sad when I "had no reason" and needed to do other more important things. I felt passive in every aspect of my life. I felt suffocated. I felt like I was constantly waiting for something to change.
Tori is a very real, very troubled character. All the characters alongside her are too. People like to say this isn't real, not all teens like this. And to that I say, have you ever paid attention?
Also, I loathe the Spring parents so deeply. Telling your mentally ill and desperate children to stop being sarcastic and to stop being sad and basically telling them there's nothing wrong is the exact opposite way of providing good support. And they just let the grandparents talk so shittily about Tori and Charlie. These kids need support and love, and their family genuinely seems to give no cares.
This clearly does read as a debut novel. But, in that, I see a very real, raw character in Tori. Everyone is saying how melodramatic and over the top and selfish this book is. But to that I say, this is the world when you are a teenager. I see so much of myself in Tori. I found myself struggling to connect with people my age. I felt like I didn't belong. I felt deeply, deeply sad. I felt selfish that I was sad when I "had no reason" and needed to do other more important things. I felt passive in every aspect of my life. I felt suffocated. I felt like I was constantly waiting for something to change.
Tori is a very real, very troubled character. All the characters alongside her are too. People like to say this isn't real, not all teens like this. And to that I say, have you ever paid attention?
Also, I loathe the Spring parents so deeply. Telling your mentally ill and desperate children to stop being sarcastic and to stop being sad and basically telling them there's nothing wrong is the exact opposite way of providing good support. And they just let the grandparents talk so shittily about Tori and Charlie. These kids need support and love, and their family genuinely seems to give no cares.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol