Greetings, guys, gals, and non-binary pals! Welcome to or welcome back to the blog. My name’s Ryn and today, we’re talking about Heartstopper. While not connected to botany, leaves are used in most scene transitions and plant life seems to grow at emotionally strategic moments, so we’ll take it. Also it’s pride month and this is a queer teen love story.
Firstly, at time of writing this, I’ve read the first four volumes of the comic, courtesy of my lovely local library’s ebook lending options. Presumably there is more out currently on the comic’s Webtoons page that I’ve yet to see. From what I’ve read so far, I’m really looking forward to future installments.
Now, as much as I genuinely enjoy the series and want to see where it goes in the future, I will caution that there are some rather heavy topics discussed. I’ve not seen the Netflix adaptation as yet, so I can’t speak to what is present in the show but be aware that the series discusses everything from homophobia and bullying to mental health issues and eating disorders. It’s done in a non-graphic, educating manner, but I know sometimes it helps to be aware of certain triggers going into a story. Each time there is something mentioned, there is also a series of on-page/in-world resources provided, should any readers be in need of them.
All that to say, Heartstopper is a lovely queer coming of age story, following Nick and Charlie and their friends as they navigate school and A-levels in England and young love. In the storyline, Charlie was outed the previous school year and heavily bullied until some older students stepped in to defend him. Nick starts thinking he might have feelings for Charlie when they’re paired up in a multi-year, or vertical class group. The social and psychological issues mentioned are brought up organically and addressed in a realistic manner and does a fabulous job of showing the diversity and depth of queer relationships.
I’ll not go into detail, so as to avoid spoilers, but we’re able to see the diversity of human relationships, across the board. Multiple family dynamics, identities, and ages are represented. Overall, as a member of the queer community, this is an amazing comic, but it would be relevant and honestly, I’d recommend it for those outside of it too. The pacing is well done and the only time it felt like anything was perhaps dragging, it was at points when that’s the feeling the characters were conveying. I tend to be a slow-burn fan when it comes to romance but while this wasn’t, it gave me that same kind of feeling, while still keeping up the tempo.
So far, four books have been released, with a fifth coming soon. Between the relatability, the genuinely good, in my opinion, approach to potentially difficult topics like mental health, and having everything couched in a fluffy love story, this is by far a favorite and I’ll definitely want to pick up copies of the books in the future. Hands down, it’s a 5/5 from me.
For anyone interested (they’re linked above too, but for ease of organization and all that): Heartstopper, volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4 (note: affiliate links via Bookshop.org)
That’s all for now, everyone. I hope you’re doing well, staying safe, and having a fabulous day.
This is Ryn, signing off.