"I like a straight guy ... Ha ha ..."
-Heartstopper, Alice Oseman
Data:
⭐5/5
Author: Alice Oseman
Pages: 278
Publishing House: Self Published
ISBN: 152722533X
Synopsis
Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn't been too great, but at least he's not being bullied anymore, and he's sort of got a boyfriend, even if he's kind of mean and only wants to meet up in secret.
Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He's heard a little about Charlie - the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months - but he's never had the opportunity to talk to him. That is, until the start of January, in which Nick and Charlie are placed in the same form group and made to sit together.
They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…
Review:
This graphic novel tells us the story of Charlie Spring who has suffered bullying thanks to the rumor that was spread in his school, about his homosexuality. When he joins a study group, he meets Nick Nelson, one of the school's rugby players. Little by little, they go from being strangers to friends. But what if the feelings develop further?
"I wouldn't say it's straight."
-Heartstopper, Moose Oseman
This book was part of the program "To not get bored in this quarantine", as part of week four, which was to read the last book you acquired. This book has also had very good reviews from the booktagram community, so I was very curious about this book.
History.
The first thing that comes to mind to describe this graphic novel is the word, cute. It is a story full of cute moments between the protagonists, and although there are moments of doubt between the two, that does not change the way in which both interact.
This story begins with the day when the two meet and gradually develops their relationship. Alice Oseman captures the friendship between two boys from different courses, the doubts that arise when you start to realize that you no longer see people the same way, and the doubts that arise when this happens, especially if they are of the same sex.
Alice's graphics sequence certainly makes you imagine the sequence perfectly as a reader, and even if this story is black and white, you can still imagine the colors inside your mind, giving this scene an even more vivid look novel.
Alice tells us this story from Charlie's perspective for the most part, but we can also see Nick and some extra characters, who are only numbered pictures compared to those who "narrate" the protagonists.
Alice's drawing style is undoubtedly very different from manga or other graphic novels, giving a fresh and original touch to this story.
Heartstopper is a simple and quick to read story, I devoured this graphic novel in a matter of a couple of hours.
Characters.
This story is focused on only two protagonists. Although there are secondary characters within the book, these are only seen in some pictures that can be counted, but that are related to both characters.
I'm going to talk about Charlie Spring first. He is a reserved boy and despite what he has suffered from his homosexuality, he is always cheerful and optimistic, although he finds it difficult to trust people. In his representation he is shown as a short, slender boy with mischievous hair. On the contrary, we have Nick, who is tall, robust and looks like the typical bully, although his relaxed and energetic personality shows that he is completely opposite to what he reflects.
The relationship between both characters is BEAUTIFUL. You can see between the sketches their companionship, and their friendship that both have. In addition, that both have excellent chemistry that is reflected throughout the book, although while there are moments of discomfort these seem to try to avoid it as much as possible. In short, it is a relationship that represents the bond between two boys who are friends.
Although, I would also have liked to see how the protagonists relate to others, this to give a broader picture of their lives, because we do not know anything about them, except for what the author wants to let us see.
Conclusions.
Heartstopper is a graphic novel that undoubtedly captivated my heart with its tenderness and brought out my fangirl side. It is a story that allows us to see the relationship between two inexperienced characters in love, but who maintain a friendly relationship with great chemistry. Undoubtedly, a story full of clichés, but that the author's drawing style fills it with freshness.
-Fer 🌻🌻
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