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A review by bitsandbobsdivination
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As someone who grew up in high school in the 2010’s I enjoyed some of the references and the setting but Tori and I had very different experiences.
I was a more curious, fearful, optimistic and an emotionally connect artsy teen who was trying to figure out my sexuality. Whereas Tori is loving and cares about those she loves deeply, but is also entirely out of touch with her emotions, pessimistic, judgemental, and most likely ‘undiagnosed with depression’ as Alice has stated.
Because we had such a huge difference in our experiences, I found her perspective interesting at the start and at moments later on, but found each time I picked up the book it really brought me down. I know this shows how difficult depression really is, and especially how it can make you not necessarily sad but more so cloudy and numb as those I know have described their own experience.
So, I know there are going to be plenty of people who will find and have found so much solace and more of themselves in this book in a way that is comforting and that’s why I hope it finds those people. I just wasn’t one of them and that’s okay.
Also I gave it only 3/5 because the story outside of Tori was kinda jumbled and didn’t really make a lot of sense as the characters involved weren’t as fleshed out. Also Michael is a great character to show how masking is definitely a part in all this, but also I just never really got him? Like he had one thing going for him outside of Tori? So… I don’t know…
Overall though, I hope this book finds its way to those who need it or will find Tori someone they can relate to and feel less alone in, but definitely check the Content Warnings first. 💚✨
I was a more curious, fearful, optimistic and an emotionally connect artsy teen who was trying to figure out my sexuality. Whereas Tori is loving and cares about those she loves deeply, but is also entirely out of touch with her emotions, pessimistic, judgemental, and most likely ‘undiagnosed with depression’ as Alice has stated.
Because we had such a huge difference in our experiences, I found her perspective interesting at the start and at moments later on, but found each time I picked up the book it really brought me down. I know this shows how difficult depression really is, and especially how it can make you not necessarily sad but more so cloudy and numb as those I know have described their own experience.
So, I know there are going to be plenty of people who will find and have found so much solace and more of themselves in this book in a way that is comforting and that’s why I hope it finds those people. I just wasn’t one of them and that’s okay.
Also I gave it only 3/5 because the story outside of Tori was kinda jumbled and didn’t really make a lot of sense as the characters involved weren’t as fleshed out. Also Michael is a great character to show how masking is definitely a part in all this, but also I just never really got him? Like he had one thing going for him outside of Tori? So… I don’t know…
Overall though, I hope this book finds its way to those who need it or will find Tori someone they can relate to and feel less alone in, but definitely check the Content Warnings first. 💚✨