When people used to ask me what type of books I liked to read, comics were never on the list. I quite rarely approached that section in Barnes and Noble, so I had minimal experience in the realm of the genre.
That is until I read Heartstopper by Alice Oseman.
Heartstopper follows Nick and Charlie’s love story that takes place in an all-boys secondary school. But more than that, it is a story about friendship, mental health, and acceptance of oneself.
I picked it up on a whim when I was a junior in high school. Two hours later, I was already on the second volume, and thinking about how I could convince my mom to buy me the third. I became utterly smitten. Yes, the story involves some heavy triggers that I would advise anyone to research before dipping into the world. But, there was this feeling after reading Oseman’s work that gently touched the soul, especially if you are queer. There is truth in her words and truth in her characters, and I was weary, as a fan, when I heard that there was going to be a Netflix show. I mean, how could you recreate the charm on those pages?
I watched the first season and was blown away. I watched the second season and blew my nose a hundred times. The cast, the crew, and the whole production are exceptional.
There is such a utopian whimsicalness and romanization within the story. The portrayal of a close-knit community filled with love and pride revolving around 15-year-olds might seem relatively idealized in the context of today’s world. Personally, and as someone with friends in the LGBTQ+ community, we watch the show and read these comics, grieving this childhood we didn’t have. Yet, I find it beautiful that young kids can easily access this show and recognize that communities like the one portrayed are attainable within their own schools and social environments.
The show is superb enough that you don’t have to read the comics to get the full impact of the story. Kit Connor is lowkey (highkey) a heartthrob, Joe Locke’s acting is next level, and Yasmin Finney and William Gao are adorable together. The casting is perfect.
Alice Oseman, you are one of a kind. I hope to one day write stories that impact others the way yours have impacted me.
If you haven’t seen Heartstopper, stop what you’re doing and grab that remote.