Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and that means it’s time for another review. Today, I am reviewing Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman.
Heartstopper Vol 1 By Alice Oseman was initially published in 2018 by Hachette Children’s Group and is 288 pages long.
The Plot
Heartstopper Volume 1 is a delightful graphic novel that explores the complicated journey of teenage love with a refreshing take on LGBTQ+ representation, focussing in particular on the characters of Charlie and Nick, two teens who fall in love.
Characters
Charlie Spring
Charlie Spring, the main protagonist, is depicted as a gentle and kind-hearted individual who has recently come out as gay, for which he was bullied. He is quiet, introverted and reserved, mostly keeping his feelings to himself. Throughout the book, however, he slowly opens up to his friends and Nick, who he develops a crush on after being seated next to him in class by the teacher.
Nick Nelson
Nick Nelson, another main character in the book, is portrayed as charismatic and popular. Despite his outgoing personality, Nick is dealing with his own personal issues, such as his parents’ recent divorce and his uncertainty about his feelings for Charlie.
Elle Argent
Elle is a trans girl who once attended Truham Grammar School for boys before transferring to Higgs Girls School due to being bullied. She is shown as sweet, kind-hearted, creative, and a great supporter of all her friends.
Tao Xu
Tao is one of Charlie’s oldest and closest friends and is incredibly protective of him. He initially distrusts Nick, worrying that Charlie, who has developed a crush on Nick, will get hurt.
Tara Jones
Tara is an old friend of Nick’s and a new friend of Elle’s. She attends Higgs Girls School with Darcy and Elle. When Nick begins to explore his feelings towards Charlie, Tara tells him that she’s always there if he needs to talk.
Darcy Olsson
Darcy is a student at Higgs, and Tara is her girlfriend. She is a cheeky extrovert who loves to joke around.
Tori Spring
Tori Spring is Charlie’s sister and is a constant source of support, helping him navigate his relationship with Nick. She is outspoken and unapologetic, often offering sage advice and wisdom to those around her who need it. She is probably my favourite character, and I love how she seems to appear in scenes out of nowhere.
Aled Last
Aled is another member of the core group of friends in the Heartstopper graphic novel. In the TV adaptation, his character seems to have been merged with the new character, Isaac Henderson.
Ben Hope
Ben is a student at Truham, and at the start of the story, he is in a secret relationship with Charlie, whom he treats terribly. Although he is rather repulsive as a character, he’s still important in showing that struggling with one’s sexual orientation or identity can be difficult. I also believe he has some internalised homophobia, another issue many people struggle with.
Writing Style
The first volume of this graphic novel is a sweet and wholesome story, giving us a perfect introduction to Nick and Charlie and their evolving relationship.
One of the book’s best aspects is its exploration of LGBTQ+ themes with nuance and sensitivity. It highlights the stigma faced by the characters due to their sexual orientation while also depicting their acceptance and support from friends and family. Through Charlie and Nick’s story, the book adds a much-needed voice to the struggles and joys of young members of the LGBTQ+ community, with Oseman showing us that not all LGBTQ+ stories need to be tragic to be intriguing or meaningful.
Another great thing about the book is how it tackles sensitive subject matters, like mental health, which the author handles thoughtfully and respectfully. How the characters manage their own emotional struggles is inspiring and hopeful and will be relatable to anyone who has experienced similar challenges.
Artwork
The artwork is charming and perfectly captures the emotions of the characters. Alice Oseman’s illustrations are simple yet effective and convey the essence of the story effortlessly, while the small details in their expressions and body language add a sense of realism and depth to the story.
Final Thoughts
Heartstopper is a must-read for any fan of LGBTQ+ romance, coming-of-age stories, or just great storytelling in general. Alice Oseman has created a masterpiece that will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest graphic novels of our time.
I feel as though both Heartstopper, the book series and TV series will benefit many teens growing up today; I know if I had read the book back when I was in my late teens, I would have felt so much better about myself, my life and a lot of self-hatred and harm could have been avoided.
I am giving Heartstopper Volume 1 a 10/10.
Have you read the Hearstopper series or watched the TV adaptation? Let me know your thoughts.
Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to spend time with me today. I appreciate you.
Until next time,
George
© 2023 GLT
Categories: Book Reviews, Reading
GEORGE L THOMAS 
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