Heartstopper Vols. 1 through 4 by Alice Oseman: A Book Review
Genre: Graphic Novel/Manga
Please Note: The following review is for all books together. As such there may be spoilers even though I will try my best to be vague about everything. Also, please note that the link at the bottom of the review will bring you to the first volume’s purchase page.
Oseman writes an intriguing story between two boys. I believe the back of volume 1 sums it up best. “Boy Meets Boy. Boys Become Friends. Boys Fall In Love.”
I was first introduced to these books by a patron coming in raving about them and how she was “obsessed” with them. Curious, I decided to check them out of the library myself. I read them quickly. Volumes 1 and 2 each took me about an hour to read. I was not expecting the story to be so realistic or relatable, but Oseman did a good job developing the characters and moving the story along. Volume 2 did start to lose me at the end. The “are we boyfriends?” had too much awkwardness surrounding it to me. I would have much preferred the awkwardness to have been the conversation of “what now?” rather than the straight-out question.
Volumes 3 and 4 also kind of had me on edge too. Without giving too many spoilers, I am not a fan of how Charlie seems to have all the problems and Nick gets off clean. I feel that Oseman makes Nick out to be too perfect. He’s understanding, he’s caring, he’s trying… he’s also a teenager in the midst of learning more about himself – the fact that falls into the background in Volume 3 and completely disappears in Volume 4. Add in the fact that there aren’t more homophobic characters just makes 3 and 4 – Volume 4 especially – lackluster. Yes, there are certain characters that need a good slap (I am not condoning violence), but I kind of expected more grief from people rather than the shoulder shrugs everyone seems to give. Is it awesome that most of the characters are so accepting? Yes. Is it realistic? No. Even with growing support for the LGBTQ+ community, culture is no where near what it is like in the books. Is it something to hope to reach? Yes, but for kids reading these books they are not going to be able to understand what the characters are going through if they are not part of that community.
Also… why is everyone part of the LGBTQ+ community? Main characters: okay, makes sense. A friend or two: cool. Multiple teachers: come on now. I would just like one main character who is straight and still supports the LGBTQ+ community – bonus points if they are an adult! I feel that Oseman is missing a whole part of the community in the form of its allies. Where are the characters being called names because they are friends with certain people? Where are the characters calling the names because they think it would be funny – or just because they want to be mean?
Long Story Short:
Would I recommend the books? Yes.
Am I looking forward to Vol. 5? Yes.
Can Oseman showcase her points and message better? Yes. The latest volumes certainly shows the need for more work and development. My suggestions: add ALLY main characters (especially in the form of adults); give Nick some more problems; and above all go back to identifying the struggle the LGBTQ+ community has with the lack of understanding everyone has (as well as the members just now realizing their identity).
Who would most enjoy the work and who should stay clear (if necessary):
People who like awkward romances.
LGBTQ+ allies and community members
To those that are not fans of graphic novel/manga format, you can still read it, but make sure you have a book written in prose ready for when you are done.
Other books like the one reviewed:
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher
Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow
You’d Be Home By Now by Kathleen Glasgow
Suicide Notes by Micheal Thomas Ford
| Plot: | 9 / 10 |
| Characters: | 10 / 10 |
| Writing: | 9 / 10 |
| Editor: | 10 / 10 |
| Total | 38 / 40 |
Title: Heartstopper
Author: Alice Oseman
Edition: Paperback
Published: 2019 (Vol 1 and 2), 2020 (Vol 3), 2022 (Vol 4)
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books an imprint of Hachette Children’s Group
ISBN: 9781444951387 (Vol. 1);
ISBN: 9781444951400 (Vol. 2);
ISBN: 9781444952773 (Vol. 3);
ISBN: 9781338617559 (Vol. 4)
If you want to get it: Amazon; Barnes&Noble
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