pamela
Written on May 1, 2022
DNF'd at 26%. I found this book unutterably boring
A CHILDREN’S TOP 10 BESTSELLER (TCM)
The debut novel from Alice Oseman, author of the 2021 YA Book Prize winning Loveless. Solitaire features the characters that inspired the beloved series Heartstopper – now a major Netflix series.
“The Catcher in the Rye for the digital age” The Times
My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now.
Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden.
I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden.
I really don’t.This incredible debut novel by outstanding young author Alice Oseman is perfect for fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell and all unflinchingly honest writers.
- ISBN13 9780007559220
- Publish Date 31 July 2014 (first published 10 July 2014)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 7 February 2024
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
- Imprint Harper Fire
- Format Paperback
- Pages 400
- Language English
- URL http://harpercollins.co.uk
Reviews
lessthelonely
Written on May 19, 2021
Yes, I came from the Heartstopper comic to this, one because I did like Tori's presence in that, but also because I knew that this book had more Nick and Charlie content. This book took me way too long to read. It's not badly written, though it has some very noticeable things that I definitely wish that future editions could fix, for example, one-liners used to the point it managed to draw me out of what was happening. It's funny because it's true.
This book has mostly no plot. I don't think that's a problem. I know they're two different stories altogether with some loose connections, but I'mma keep comparing them because I'm pretty sure most people who will grab this book come from thoroughly enjoying the comic: Heartstopper is more plot-heavy than this, in my opinion. Solitaire, however, goes a bit more for the theatrics, and it mostly pays-off, because it knows just how much seriousness the topics it deals with asks for. Literally, the climax of the book is mostly a break-down of one of the adjacent themes to the book, which is pseudo-intellectualism fueled "pranks", "antics" and "activism". I found it decently funny and well written, for sure.
I'd say this books delves mostly into depression and how conformism generally hurts everyone, the victims, the bystanders and even the perpetrators. At the same time, people who try to go against the grain, which I'd say is primarily embodied by the love interest and another secondary character, they get hurt the most because they're trying to change a world that's deadset on not changing. The whole point of the book is that Tori is a bystander, extremely passive: she knows everything's shitty yet she says she's fine, everything is alright and she doesn't want to be a burden to anyone.
This, of course, causes more harm than good. People who try to care for her end up being sworn off, but I think that Mrs. Oseman did a GREAT JOB at making us understand Tori was truly utterly not herself. I believe I understood that when a past letter written by Tori was shown - it was HIGHLY exaggerated, very OMG you guys, if you know what I mean, which I think was the point: to show just how dulled Tori's own personality became by the simple act of not caring.
There are some definite hiccups, all of them related to breakdowns by Tori that seem to come out of nowhere - there might be a good intention here? Like, mental breakdowns/shit that just ruins our mental state immediately can come out of the blue, but it felt a bit disjointed while reading. The rambles Tori goes on were fine, but what led up to them didn't.
Finally, I'd like to address stuff I saw while reading other reviews for this book (SPOILERS ARE TAGGED):
- I saw in a review that Tori was a bad, judgy person. I didn't get that at all. Tori was an above-decent person who was and still is mentally ill, at least, by the end of the book.
- There is a plot-point about Charlie attempting suicide and having a self-harm relapse, some review claimed therapy is not even mentioned - while I understand the sentiment and Tori and Charlie are presented as very close, it's more than fair to assume Charlie simply didn't tell Tori about therapy, as it's... his business. Other than that, Hearstopper confirms he does go to therapy- In simpler, non-spoilery terms: no, this book doesn't enforce problematic ideas.
- There was a review who talked about Tori and Charlie's parents being both shitty... well, guess what, that was the point. Specially with their mom. The dad seems to be the best of the both of them. And though it seems like parents would be 1000% worried if they noticed their kid is highly unmotivated or passive because that's what we think we'd do if we were parents, the truth is most parents act exactly like Tori and Charlie's: they're dismissive, mildly passive-aggressive and overall unbothered. Speaking from personal experience and from several accounts from many people I've met in life. And I'd like to add that even though Tori's dad sort of redeems himself in a very short and "happy ending" way, it doesn't mean he's a good parent now.
In short: Solitaire isn't all that bad. For teens, it'd be, to be honest, perfect. If you're looking for a super enticing and compelling read? I wouldn't hold my breath on that. It's certainly good! Just not anything that amazing or that you'll be stuck thinking about long after you finish it.
boghunden
Written on Jul 5, 2017
Leah
Written on Jul 18, 2014
Solitaire is a novel that could have been written about me. I am literally an older version of Tori. I am socially inept, conversations are difficult for me unless someone is asking questions, or they keep the conversation going, and I much prefer to just spend time solo, although unlike Tori I LOVE books. So on that we'll have to agree to disagree, and perhaps I'll introduce Tori to Suzanne Collins and see what she thinks of books then! It literally made me day to see Tori referenced by her brother as Sheldon Cooper, if she were to be ANY of The Big Bang Theory group (though it killed me she said it was unfunny) because sometimes I feel very Sheldon Cooper like. Tori and me just GOT ON from the off. If she were real, I would be her friend and she would be mine because we would just click. We would be BFFs for life, I can tell you that without even thinking about it - and I'm kind of tempted to go meet Alice, who wrote the book, and see if she and I would too be BFFs.
What I liked best about Solitaire, is something that always amuses me - when someone who most definitely does not like company, is brought into the world of someone who doesn't understand that. And Michael Holden doesn't seem to get that Tori is a one-woman show, and does not want or need to be cheered up for any reason. Michael Holden lit the book up! With his funny different coloured eyes (I have no idea if the reason his eyes are two different colours is true, but I liked it) and his geeky glasses, and his side parting. The novel is quite a downer of a novel - Tori is seriously struggling to be part of her sixth-form world, and barely interacts with her peers and her moods are low, and grumpy, and sad, so it was quite nice to have Michael come into the novel and try and make it better. It would have been so easy to just shrug his shoulders, and leave Tori to her misery, but he didn't. He wormed his way in, and eventually I liked that Tori found herself needing him in unexpected ways.
The addition of the whole 'Solitaire' plot line was awesome. Seriously, so imaginative, so clever and bloody spooky! As the novel progressed, I had a feeling who it was (and it KILLED ME, actually) and I let out the biggest sigh of relief when it turned out it wasn't who I thought because I could see that would have literally destroyed Tori. (I let out an audible "Phew" when I found out who was actually behind the whole thing.) It astounds me that a nineteen-year-0ld wrote this book - I am envious beyond belief at Alice Oseman's writing talent. It is a seriously impressive debut novel. I LOVED it. I raced through it, from beginning to end, because it was like I was Tori (and I suppose she's right - when we read books, we DO become the main characters), although I've always been a bit like Tori. It was literally like Tori and I became one and the same, although I am still lacking my very own Michael Holden. Sob.
It was such an interesting look into life as a teenager, and I just wanted to hug Tori (which she would have hated, but I felt that nonetheless). She goes through a lot, and her brother's storyline was so awful. Solitaire is one of those special, honest, unflinching novels and I'm torn between wanting a sequel (the thought of never hearing from Tori again KILLS me) and not wanting a sequel (because I would want it to be HAPPY. Overwhelmingly happy, and Tori isn't there yet) But either way this is a special book, from a very special author. Alice Oseman knows what it's like to be a teen - she bloody is one!!!!! - and she writes about one beautifully, and sadly, it must be said. Tori and Michael are such unforgettable characters - they all are, to be fair, Oseman has written a great cast of characters (although I wanted to slap Tori's mother, she's awful). If you read one contemporary novel this year, make it this one. It's SO good, and you will not regret it in the slightest. I LOVED IT.
This review was originally posted on Girls Love To Read