Solitaire by Alice Oseman takes place a year after the prominent graphic novel series Heartstopper
begins. It follows Tori Spring, Charlie’s older sister, during Year 12. During this time, she finds a mysterious
group called Solitaire, and, in the process meets a boy called Michael Holden. While initially unimpressed
with both, she begins to connect with Michael, and the two of them follow the most recent activity of
Solitaire as it becomes more and more extreme. But soon Solitaire becomes an overwhelming part of
her--and everyone’s--life, conspiring to disrupt the school day and invading extracurricular events, and it
seems like Tori and Michael are the only ones who notice.
Tori isn’t a typical teenager, and her narration in Solitaire shows that. One of the central motifs
throughout the novel is the fact that social relationships are difficult to maintain for her: several times she
and her friends, including Michael, argue because of general confusion or misunderstandings. This relates
to mental health and general wellbeing, themes frequently seen throughout Solitaire. However, these themes
are told from the perspective of someone experiencing thoughts and emotions that wouldn’t be considered
normal in society. Because she experiences life differently than most people, she helps readers who might
relate to her while enlightening readers who might not, and this is what makes Tori such a meaningful
narrator.