Solitaire by Alice Oseman Summary

Solitaire by Alice Oseman follows sixteen-year-old Tori Spring, a cynical and depressed high school student whose life is disrupted when a mysterious blog called "Solitaire" begins pulling increasingly dangerous pranks at her school. As Tori befriends eccentric new student Michael Holden and reconnects with childhood friend Lucas, she becomes entangled in uncovering Solitaire's identity while struggling with her own mental health and finding reasons to be happy again.

Solitaire is ideal for young adult readers who want honest, unflinching portrayals of depression and mental illness. This book resonates with teens experiencing anxiety, feelings of disconnection, or those who appreciate dark humor and cynical protagonists. Readers with backgrounds in psychology or personal experience with depression will particularly connect with Tori's perspective, though the intense themes may not suit those seeking lighthearted YA fiction.

Solitaire by Alice Oseman is worth reading if you value raw, authentic depictions of teenage depression over conventional YA narratives. Alice Oseman's debut novel divides readers—some find Tori's pessimistic worldview relatable and brilliant, while others find it draining. The immersive writing style pulls you into Tori's darkness, making it emotionally demanding but rewarding for readers seeking genuine mental health representation and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in young adult literature.

Solitaire introduced Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, who later became the beloved protagonists of Alice Oseman's graphic novel series Heartstopper. In Solitaire, Charlie is Tori Spring's younger brother, and readers witness their close sibling relationship as Tori observes Charlie's struggles. The book provides deeper context for Charlie's character, including references to his mental health challenges and relationship with Nick, making it essential reading for Heartstopper fans.

Tori Spring is the sixteen-year-old protagonist of Solitaire by Alice Oseman, characterized by her chronic pessimism, dark humor, and depression. She's a year 12 student who feels disconnected from her peers, using self-irony to cope with mental illness. Tori maintains a close relationship with her brother Charlie but struggles with perceiving reality accurately due to her depression. Her cynical, antisocial personality makes her a divisive but deeply authentic YA character.

Solitaire by Alice Oseman tackles depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, OCD, and suicidal thoughts with unflinching honesty. The novel portrays how depression distorts perception and isolates sufferers, following Tori's journey toward accepting help from friends and family. Alice Oseman demonstrates how mental illness creates "good phases" but always risks spiraling back, showing depression as an ongoing struggle rather than a problem with simple solutions.

Solitaire explicitly states "this is not a love story" on its cover, and Alice Oseman delivers on that promise. While a subtle romance develops between Tori and Michael Holden, it doesn't overpower the narrative focused on mental health, friendship, and identity. The relationship serves as one element in Tori's journey rather than the central plot, with Michael acting more as a catalyst for Tori's emotional growth than a traditional romantic interest.

Michael Holden is the eccentric, optimistic new student who befriends Tori Spring in Solitaire by Alice Oseman. He challenges Tori's pessimism and sees through her defensive mechanisms because he struggles with his own anger and darkness. Michael's character provides the "shining light" in the novel, understanding Tori in ways others cannot. His famous line "I'm a little bit in love with everyone I meet" captures his approach to life.

The Solitaire blog in Alice Oseman's novel is an anonymous entity that orchestrates increasingly dangerous pranks at Higgs school. What begins as harmless jokes escalates to violence, including a student assault, Tori getting injured by fireworks, and ultimately the school burning down. The mystery reveals that Lucas, Tori's childhood friend, created Solitaire to bring "joy" back into her life, though he admits he loved an idealized version of her rather than who she became.

Solitaire by Alice Oseman polarizes readers because of Tori's intensely pessimistic, cynical perspective that some find relatable and others find unbearable. The immersive writing style forces readers to experience depression through Tori's eyes, making it emotionally draining. Readers with personal experience with mental illness or psychology backgrounds tend to appreciate the authentic representation, while others criticize the darkness, lack of traditional plot structure, and Tori's negativity throughout the narrative.

Alice Oseman employs an extremely immersive first-person perspective in Solitaire, forcing readers to see the world through Tori's depressed, distorted lens. This debut novel differs significantly from her other works through its dark, unfiltered exploration of mental illness. The writing makes you experience Tori's emotional state—the darkness, inconsistent perception, and isolation—which some readers find brilliant and others find draining, as it deliberately pulls you into depression's reality.

Key quotes from Solitaire include Tori's observation that "books–they're different. When you watch a film, you're sort of an outsider looking in. With a book–you're right there," expressing her need for escape. Another pivotal line states, "There comes a point when you can't keep looking after other people anymore. You have to start looking after yourself," capturing Tori's journey toward self-care and accepting help while managing depression and protecting others.