Photo credits: Pixabay graphics, Ondřej Šponiar (pixabay) Edited by Vaishali Title: Heartstopper Series: Heartstopper #1 Author: Alice Oseman Publisher: Holder Children's Books Year of Publication: 2018/2019 Format: Paperback Genre/Themes: LGBT romance, Teen romance, Graphic novel, Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary Queer Romance, ISBN: 978 1 444 95138 7 Review Heartstopper is a series of wonderful firsts for me; my first time reading a graphic novel. My first time reading from an author who writes graphic novels. My first time reading from Alice Oseman. My first time rating and reviewing a graphic novel, my first time actually reading a book where I get to accurately report that I 'sped-read' my way through it (my cognitively challenged friends will understand this personal struggle) and my first time reading a teen LGBT romance. See? So many firsts breached in the space of one book. Courtesy of my little sister, who was gifted the first three volumes in paperback by a friend some time ago, I was able to sneak the first copy from her 'I came back for the summer' luggage. I couldn't help it, the books were eyeing me up, and as is true of temptation, I eyed it up right back. And as we soundlessly circled each other for a few days, I came to the deciding settlement that I must stop my heart for Heartstopper. Not that I've actively opened a Young Adult novel recently, but the genre's been calling to me these past few months, and seeing as this graphic novel is recipient to all the rage right now, I couldn't think of any better way to satisfy the pull than by giving in to this piece of popular fiction. If adorability criteria were a thing, this book would get all the soft, sweet and sunny points for it. I really enjoyed the simple yet expressive art style, it was really well-synched to the teen narrative. While being awkward, cute and chaste in that YA way, the stills always managed to summarise each moment succinctly and with maximum illustration. Though I’m little more than a fledgling graphic novel reader, the execution was bright. Whether it be Charlie's crush (thought to be unrequited), the combination of his insecurity and anxiety, Nick's ambivalence with his sexual identity, the themes of friendship, acceptance, curiosity and connection, it was all well received. Oseman also creates precious space for precious themes, and with the representation of casual homophobia, bisexuality, the ups and downs of school life and the LGBTQ voice, the discourse over sexuality and assault was as realistic and as relevant as it comes. There are a few especially memorable frames that don't require dialogue because the art speaks for itself. While this is easily realistic to the realities of young contemporary love, it also makes inclusion - and its sometimes lack thereof via some surrounding side characters - a soft education. And did I already reference its adorability? Because it is that adorable. A sweet story of schoolboy longing and belonging that frames teen life, young crushes and slow build LGBT love. The vulnerabilities were wholesome, and interconnected with Oseman's Solitaire series, this branched off comic can easily standalone if a reader wants to - respectively - start here. I can definitely see through the eyes of the comfort crowd, to whom this has become an epic comfort read. It's charm, kindness and sweetness could perhaps challenge the warmth of any comfort read. I was (personally) hoping for more with this read (hence my rating) but it was so easy, brisk simple and gently-burning that it still gets a solid rating. Three stars for Charlie, Nick and Nellie. Time to go stop my heart for a second time with volume two! I gave this book 3 stars - Content Warning: Physical assault and verbal/conversational homophobia. Some profanity. Non-consensual assault. Mentions bullying. --------------------------------------- M Y R A T I N G S Y S T E M: ★ - 1 star: I did not like the book ★★ - 2 stars: The book was okay ★★★ - 3 stars: It was a good, solid read ★★★★ - 4 stars: A great book ★★★★★ - 5: A phenomenal read --------------------------------------- __________________________________________________________ R E L A T E D P O S T S: ● BOOK REVIEW: Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman ● BOOK REVIEW: Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman __________________________________________________________ My Bookish Pics of Heartstopper! I love interacting with fellow readers, reviewers, bloggers and writers. Hearing about reader opinion is the fuel to my reader appetite, so get in touch and comment below! SHARE ON FACEBOOK Leave a comment and let's talk about |
VaishaliBorn in the UK Archives
February 2024
Categories
All
2019 Reading Challenge
Vaishali • [Vicarious Living] has
read 15 books toward
her goal of
30 books.
hide
2020 Reading Challenge
Vaishali • [Vicarious Living] has
read 1 book toward
her goal of
20 books.
hide
2021 Reading Challenge
Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] has
read 1 book toward
her goal of
10 books.
hide
2022 Reading Challenge
Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] has
read 0 books toward
her goal of
5 books.
hide
2023 Reading Challenge
Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] has
read 0 books toward
her goal of
5 books.
hide
DisclaimerAll images of book covers on this site belong to the authors and publishers of the books.
|