No longer alone, no longer invisible
By: Sabrina Ki
Tags: Book Review, Books, Mental Health, LGBTQ, Culture

No longer alone, no longer invisible

A love letter to a love story

‘Heartstopper’ is a love story — between friends, between lovers, between family.

Written and illustrated by Alice Oseman, Heartstopper follows the lives of Nick and Charlie, two teenage boys who meet at school and fall in love — the full synopsis is available on Oseman’s website. Heartstopper’s ability to address serious issues (such as mental illness and bullying) while telling an uplifting and adorkable love story is integral to its appeal.

Before writing this review, I sought to gain more insight into how others feel about this comic, especially LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse readers. Going through the survey responses was incredible. I read comments that expressed exactly how I felt, and I confess that I cried reading some of the answers.

“We exist and we deserve to have stories about us and be more than just the best friend of the protagonist.” — smile__hoya

Content warning: References to eating disorders.

Representation matters

When I asked readers why minority representation was important in YA fiction, responses overwhelmingly cited the need to show people that they aren’t alone, abnormal or a burden. Sometimes we don’t even realise how necessary this is until we see ourselves within the pages (@bookdragonbrew). Seeing LGBTQ+ characters (like us) who struggle with mental health (like us), managing to find such happiness in life, gives us hope and comfort that though the road may be long, things will get better (@steeviekate).

“Reading [‘Heartstopper’] is like my antidepressant, it helps me to see how maybe I could meet someone who can understand me and care about me as Nick cares about Charlie.” — Lucci

Heartstopper’s realistic yet positive focus “on support, healing and recovery” (Vol. 3, Author’s Note) is particularly helpful for those who feel unable to discuss these issues with the people around them. I was lucky that I could share with my friends and family, and not everyone is in this position.

‘Heartstopper’ stars the characters Nick Nelson (left) and Charlie Spring (right).

An oft-cited example of Heartstopper’s relatability is Nick’s journey towards recognising his bisexuality, and the reassurance that it’s okay not to have it all figured out immediately. In a world where it can feel like everyone’s supposed to already know their sexuality from the get-go, Nick’s slow, dawning realisation is intensely meaningful for those of us who came relatively ‘late’ into our queer identities (@areadersworld; @jayjo-reads).

I wish I’d had Heartstopper when I myself, at eighteen, was going through exactly the same confusion as Nick. The fear he feels about coming out to his mum, even though he knows she loves him, is near identical to my own and others’ experiences.

Eating disorders are not an exclusively female experience

Several readers relate specifically to how Charlie’s eating disorder (ED) is portrayed, in that it stems more from anxiety rather than body image issues, as well as the simple fact that Charlie is male.

Male characters struggling with EDs aren’t commonly depicted — only two out of a list of 50 recommended books about ED feature a male protagonist with an ED, despite 25% of people with anorexia being male (NEDA, 2018). This kindred understanding given to us by Heartstopper recalls the song ‘You Will Be Found’ from Dear Evan Hansen: “There’s a place where we don’t have to feel unknown…And every time that you call out, you’re a little less alone.”

“Reading books about LGBT+ characters and mental illness…felt like a hug to me…A story to tell you “hey, it’s okay, other people feel like this too. And they got [through] it. So will you.” — solitairians

Diversity doesn’t have to make a point, it’s a fact of life

Heartstopper’s supporting characters are also casually diverse, well-written and never come across as tokenised. Some readers identify with Elle, who is trans (cin_toazt; Anon.), while others relate to Tao’s efforts to be a good friend (Anon.). Still others connect to Aled, an asexual/demisexual character (Anon.; lostmindbooks; sascha.w5), Tara and Darcy’s lesbian relationship (iseultslibrary; iammadeofporcelain; Anon.), and also their hijabi classmate in Vol.3 (Anon.).

“A hijabi character just chilling out with everyone else at a party and joining in with the games felt…refreshing to see…even when Muslim side characters are included, there’s [often] some kind of focus on them being different in some way.” — Anonymous

Supporting characters Tara (left) and Darcy (right) featured in a mini-comic (‘Heartstopper’, Volume 1).

Heartstopper has been a source of guidance and solace for many LGBTQ+ and/or neurodiverse readers, inspiring some to come out to their parents, and helping others realise that they are not obliged to forgive the people who have hurt and tormented them (@littlemel0dies). Additionally, Heartstopper offers valuable lessons for people who want to gain greater understanding of their neurodiverse, LGBTQ+ friends and neighbours, so they can better support them (@jake.m.williams). Readers relate to Nick trying to help Charlie with his ED (@wckedlittletown), also reflected in the comments of Heartstopper’s recent Tapas update (April 11th 2020) where readers discussed how to support friends struggling with an ED.

“[In school, we] don’t really learn about mental health or sexuality… so seeing someone representing that in a comic [is] great.” — confaix “Seeing this representation in media is so helpful and informative, especially since [I] have friends with mental health problems and…want to understand them and be there for them as much as possible.” — Anonymous

Diverse reads like Heartstopper challenge stigmas, “[bringing] more acceptance and understanding to society” (@reenaofpashadunes). Yet it is only recently that mainstream media seems to have woken up to this. As YA fiction is so widely read, it ought to more accurately reflect the diversity the world holds (Eléonore), especially experiences (both the beautiful and the challenging) that were previously drowned out by dominant narratives in history (@thereal_jdneal).

“Many past portrayals of LGBTQIA+ people…either focused on the drama of coming out or traumas caused by their sexuality, or…a throwaway singular side character that had little impact on the story…Mental health often played either too much or too little of a role in many YA fictions until recently. It was either the one thing that characterised a character or…‘X was morbidly depressed until Y came along and immediately their life was all better’.” — AnxiousAtlas

Heartstopper is not just a novel for LGBTQ+ audiences — yes, it stars several LGBTQ+ characters, but it also depicts a wide range of life experiences with both its teen and adult characters, such as teachers, giving it a huge scope of appeal for everyone (@sascha.w5).

“I love that [Heartstopper] is out there for kids seeking representation and for others who just want to read a great story.” — Anonymous “[Heartstopper] helped with my anxiety about growing up...[I’m] still pretty young and…often scared about stuff like drinking, parties, relationships…this helps me stop worrying sometimes by showing what it’s actually like.” — Anonymous

We came for the story, but stayed for the characters

It’s unsurprising that ‘characters’ was referenced so many times as a favourite aspect of Heartstopper. If I love a character, I will happily read about them doing the most mundane things, because this is real life, and in real life I’m always interested in the people I love. I don’t think the romance would be half as emotionally tangible if readers didn’t feel like we were rooting for people that we know and love. Nick and Charlie feel particularly real because Heartstopper isn’t only about their queerness — we get to see all the other sides of them too (@ladysmallsteps).

Key words commonly used by readers to describe their favourite things about Heartstopper (created using WordItOut).

Heartstopper focuses on the hopeful and the everyday, and the drama never feel contrived, showing readers that queer relationships and queer lives don’t need to be riddled with high-stakes miscommunications to be interesting or real. Nick’s realisation that he’s made bad friends is never a fun discovery, but unfortunately it seems many of us can relate. On the bright side, Heartstopper does vividly illustrate key features of a strong, trusting friendship (@Orphea Solace), and how such support networks can help us overcome difficult situations (Fred Cronin).

“Nick and Charlie’s story is made up of…episodes of their lives…There’s no overarching drama — because it’s just real life. Just one normal, loving relationship between two people.” — Oseman, 2016

I really appreciated Heartstopper’s emphasis on open dialogue, consent and healthy relationships. Oseman sought to write the type of story she’d have loved to read as a teen, and this sentiment is certainly echoed amongst Heartstopper’s readers, myself included.

“‘Heartstopper’ is everything I wish my teenage years had been. When I came out, it wasn’t by choice, and it wasn’t pleasant. There were no LGBTQ+ positive books, and any depiction on TV was considered “dirty” or uncouth. ‘Heartstopper’ is the thing that so many young people can see themselves in, in a way that’s accessible for them, without any of the old, seedy connotations that used to accompany queer literature.” — Tsam (A Boy with a Book)

Heartstopper is very accessible, as its free availability online makes it a safe space for readers who aren’t out and can’t risk ordering the physical books. Its episodic plot line also increases readability for those who have trouble focusing for extensive periods of time (Richard O'Keeffe).

Common words respondents used to characterise what impact Heartstopper had on them (created using WordItOut).

Heartstopper has had a markedly positive impact on most readers — over 91% — and it’s profoundly moving to see how it’s become such a beacon in the dark. Another beautiful thing is the blossoming of friendships within the fandom (@the-arktic; @locklyle; @thatgaypotterhead) — I myself met @wyaakk through supporting each other’s fan-art.

“I [struggle] with anxiety and depression. I read Heartstopper during a very rough time and they were the only thing that made me feel and granted me escapism.” — The Reading Witch “I’m just prouder of myself, I’m much happier with who I am [after reading ‘Heartstopper’]…The characters…became my friends when I thought I didn’t have any.” — cin_toazt “[I]t’s like the characters taught me to stand up for myself and love myself for who I am no matter what.” — Anonymous

Representation matters, but so does artistic inspiration

I would be remiss not to mention how brilliantly emotive Oseman’s art is. I love how she does facial expressions, light and shadow. It’s deceptively simple but astonishingly expressive, imbued with so much detail, down to even the panel shapes themselves (The Reading Witch). Oseman has even inspired readers to start drawing again (@jayjo-reads) — I certainly never considered creating my own graphic novel before reading Heartstopper.

A collection of Oseman’s novels: ‘Solitaire’ (2014), ‘Radio Silence’ (2016), ‘I Was Born For This’ (2018), ‘Heartstopper’ (2016-present).

None of Oseman’s books had been on a bestseller list before ‘Heartstopper’ Vol. 3 entered the UK Children’s Book Chart. Honestly, I was shocked. In my little bookstagram bubble of Heartstopper hype, I’d somehow already assumed Oseman was a nationally bestselling author! While Heartstopper is relatively well-known, Oseman’s other works haven’t received half the attention that they deserve (@locklyle).

“YA fiction…has a history of being whitewashed and romanticizing mental illness…[Oseman] does a great job of [getting] her novels sensitivity read in order to not write anything misleading.” — seaweedsoda

I look forward to Oseman’s Loveless (July 9th), an own-voices novel featuring a university student coming to terms with her aro/ace sexuality, and her novella Nick and Charlie (Aug 6th).

If Heartstopper has taught me anything, it’s that no one should have to feel isolated. So reach out to a relative, a lover, a friend— because we are no longer alone.