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A review by bianchibooks
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
3.0
i do not mind that this volume focuses on more "serious topics" including eating disorders and self-harm (more specific trigger warnings available on oseman's website), but i think the use of charlie's eating disorder as a cliffhanger is not a choice that i necessarily agree with.
this volume focuses too heavily on the idea that nick can cure, for lack of a better word, charlie's anorexia and their urges to self-harm which could not be further from the truth. obviously having a support system is important, but this volume almost makes it seem as if a quick kiss and a cuddle session can make charlie "normal". those things are only distractions, and so far the only serious portrayal of these illnesses is when charlie passes out, but even in the aftermath him and nick are seen fooling around in a restaurant. i don't like that message personally.
but at the end of the day, i am happy for these characters and how their relationships are brewing. the beginning of tao and elle, nick announcing charlie is his boyfriend in front of a large group of their peers, tara explaining the beginning of her and darcy's romantic journey. it was still a heartwarming volume with several moments that made me smile and laugh, just like volumes one and two.
other series reviews: volume one | volume two | volume three | volume four
this volume focuses too heavily on the idea that nick can cure, for lack of a better word, charlie's anorexia and their urges to self-harm which could not be further from the truth. obviously having a support system is important, but this volume almost makes it seem as if a quick kiss and a cuddle session can make charlie "normal". those things are only distractions, and so far the only serious portrayal of these illnesses is when charlie passes out, but even in the aftermath him and nick are seen fooling around in a restaurant. i don't like that message personally.
but at the end of the day, i am happy for these characters and how their relationships are brewing. the beginning of tao and elle, nick announcing charlie is his boyfriend in front of a large group of their peers, tara explaining the beginning of her and darcy's romantic journey. it was still a heartwarming volume with several moments that made me smile and laugh, just like volumes one and two.
other series reviews: volume one | volume two | volume three | volume four
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Bullying and Self harm