!!!Spoiler Warning!!! If you haven’t read this book yet, I give away some key spoilers!
Heartstopper: Volume One
by Alice Oseman
Would you kiss someone who wasn’t a girl?
This is a lovely, feel-good graphic novel about two boys who are falling in love.
It deals with some sensitive issues, such as abuse from a partner, finding your identity, and the bullying that can ensue from coming out as gay, but as a whole it’s a light-hearted story with a very cuddly feel to it.
I really enjoyed it. It’s not the sort of thing I would normally read, but I’m glad I did.
I fell for a straight boy…
The artwork is beautiful—it has a chunky style to it that really fills up the pages. Emotions and characters are perfectly expressed and it’s nice to see a different, lighter style of art. For the thickness of the novel however, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of content. There are entire double page spreads without dialogue so it feels a lot shorter than it looks. It really didn’t take long to finish the entire thing, and I feel like there could have been a little more plot to it.
That’s not— I’m— I don’t just fall for any boy who’s nice to me.
The story itself progresses to the point where it’s clear that both boys like each other, but Nick is still dealing with his sexuality as he’s always considered himself straight before his attraction to Charlie. There are some pretty angst scenes which accurately portray just how difficult it can be to come to terms with the fact that you’re different.
Charlie, meanwhile, knows he’s gay and was outed to the whole school some time ago. Since then he’s been labeled as ‘the gay boy’ and has suffered through some serious bullying. Luckily, the bullying stopped, but he’s also been in a pretty abusive relationship with another boy who just wants to use him as someone to make out with. When Charlie tries to end this relationship, he’s forced to kiss against his will in a deeply emotional scene.
While I think this should have been brought to the attention of an adult, I can’t deny that the way it was dealt with was realistic to the setting. Teenagers tend to try and handle things themselves anyway, if we’re being honest.
You’re so hot when you’re angry. Come on, Charlie. I really like you.
The blossoming friendship between Charlie and Nick is a slow-burning romance that really tugs at your heart. The few snatched moments of intimacy in this novel are beautiful and enriching to read and see. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel at some point just to get past that heartrending ending!
Villain Rating
Before Nick comes onto the scene, Charlie is sort of dating a boy called Ben. Ben sends him messages everyday telling him where to be so they can make out a little before going back to class. Eventually, Charlie starts to see that Ben doesn’t really care for him, at all. In fact, Ben has a girlfriend and nobody even knows he’s into boys as well. He’s not ready to come out, but refuses to just let Charlie walk away.
In one scene, Ben pushes Charlie up against some lockers and forces him to kiss, even though Charlie is pleading with him to stop. Even when he gets forcefully removed by Nick, he tries his luck with Charlie again at a party and Charlie has to set him straight (pun accidental, but happy). This guy is a dick. He’s abusive, couldn’t care less and just an asshole. He preys on the weak and expects everyone to let him have his way. What a dick. 5/10
Happy Reading,
Claire
Love the Villain 