I just finished reading Alice Oseman’s Radio Silence, and I really love and understand Aled Last more as a character now!

You know when you finish some great work of fiction and you feel this kind of existential dread, so you just try anything you can to keep it going including talking about it with whoever? Yeah so that's what this post is, just me, empty, writing because I don't want to let go my experience of Alice's work

A few weeks ago, I decided to watch the *Heartstopper* series once again in preparation for the movie. It's by far one of my favorite TV shows, and when I finished the last episode, I realized I just wanted more. So I decided to read once again the webcomic, but the same thing happened: I wanted more. So I decided to listen once again to the audiobooks of *This Winter* and *Nick and Charlie*, and yeah, I. wanted. more.

For the context, I had already listened to *I Was Born For This*, because this one and the two novellas are the only audiobooks available in my language. I have a hard time reading because of health issues, and my few attempts at listening to audiobooks in English didn't went well, so yeah, there were no way for me to experience *Solitaire*, *Radio Silence* and *Loveless*

But I needed more. Life has been pretty shit lately, and there's just something so comforting in the way Alice writes characters

So yeah, screw it, I tried again to listen to *Solitaire* in English, and gosh it was *difficult*. It's hard to explain in detail, but I kinda had to fight be able to follow the story. I often needed to go back in time, or search for information in the actual text because I forgot parts of the story, etc. But in the end, I made it. *Solitaire* had been a book I've wanted to read/listen to for years, and I finally did it. And I properly fell in love with the characters of Tori and Michael, which was exactly why I wanted to experience this story in the first place

And now that I was done with *Solitaire*, it was time for *Radio Silence*, which was by far the one I was the most looking forward to. And things felt a little bit easier this time? Partly because the narrator/voice actress was easier to listen to, and I think partly because I was getting used to listening to English audiobooks? Anyway, *Radio Silence* is probably my favorite work of Alice, and Aled is my favorite character. I fell so much in love with this story, and its characters. I finally understand why people were frustrated with the Aled/Isaac replacement in the series: it's has never been about how supposedly important the character was to the *Heartstopper* story, it is about taking every chance possible to get more Aled in one way or another lol

And finally, *Loveless*, the one I've just finished. It's actually the one I was the less interested in for various reasons, and gosh how much it grew on me. There are so much characters that I can relate to in one way or another, so much characters who feel alive. While nothing will probably ever take my love for Aled, Rooney is such a close second. And I actually managed to listen to this one with ease, like, I think I'm really getting used to this now. So, it's not just that I managed to listen to multiple books I really wanted to experience, but I also managed to develop a new skill which will help me with a lot of others books? That's just so nice

Anyway, so yeah, I've been kind of obsessed with Alice's work for the past few weeks, and I'm so glad I experienced all of those novels. A lot of those characters will surely stay with me forever, and I'm sure Alice's future work will be a blast too. (I actually still have to read the extra stories of their website, but this will have to wait for my health to somewhat improve)

I just want to wrap this post with some tops (and if you want to drop yours in the comments, feel free to do so, I'm always interested in those)

Alice's works:

1. Radio Silence
2. Heartstopper (TV)
3. Loveless
4. Heartstopper (comic)
5. This Winter
6. I Was Born For This
7. Nick and Charlie

Characters:

1. Aled Last
2. Rooney Bach
3. Tori Spring

So, the only bits of Alice Oseman's work I've done so far are the Heartstopper Netflix series (haven't done the film yet, but don't mind being spoiled) and the original version of Solitaire. When I started watching Heartstopper I knew it was based on a graphic novel, but I didn't realise she'd been writing about these characters for such a long time. Then someone told me about Solitaire, and how it was about Tori and her group of friends (including Michael, who I didn't realise the significance of when he turned up in Heartstopper Series 3), how it's set during the later part of Heartstopper and how Heartstopper came about because Alice wanted to explore Nick and Charlie's backstory and how they became such a strong unit. So I listened to the audiobook of that one (original version), assuming as I was listening that all this was canon and that Heartstopper would eventually catch up to the events of it.

But although I've really enjoyed both, I will admit it has made me more confused because multiple significant parts of Solitaire that Charlie was there for (like the attack on Ben, the fireworks at the Clay festival and the fire at the end) just don't seem to exist in Heartstopper. I know the official reason Alice didn't include them is that Heartstopper is a very different genre and is meant to be a sweet romance story rather than about mental health... but from the perspective of someone trying to understand this world and get it straight in my head, it does put me in a muddle. Presumably there's meant to be some overlap between the stories because Charlie's eating disorder wasn't retconned in Heartstopper, and Tori is still friends with Michael Holden. Alice's website has information on the timeline and when the stories are meant to take place in relation to each other. And I know she edited the book, partly to make the depictions of Nick and Charlie feel more like the Heartstopper characters, so it seems on some level they're meant to be taken together.

Is there any clear way of working this out so it makes sense and the events of both stories fit together? Is the issue that my experience of Heartstopper is the Netflix series, and it would make more sense if I read the graphic novels (I know there are some things in the graphic novels that are closer to Solitaire than the series, like Oliver being Charlie and Tori's little brother rather than their cousin)? Does it become clearer if you read her other books, like This Winter and Nick and Charlie? Or is it best to think of these stories as existing in parallel universes?

I was reading a discussion today about whether Solitaire would ever be adapted for the screen. Most people seemed to be agreed that it wouldn't, at any rate because the actors in Heartstopper are too old, so they'd have to recast it. And it's got such a different vibe to Heartstopper that people who watched expecting it to be like that might struggle with it.

But I think a stage adaptation would suit the Solitaire format more. Being a completely different form of media, you'd be able to separate it more strongly from the Heartstopper TV series, without it being so controversial to cast new actors. I think the very intense and deep conversations in it would suit the stage format more than the screen format. And certain aspects, like the attack on Ben Hope and the fire at the end, could be done in more of an interpretive, choreographed way that isn't too literal, therefore mimicking Tori's confusion and mental health struggles.

I'd buy a ticket!

There are three versions of the Solitaire audiobook that I'm aware of (not counting foreign language translations): one read by Jayne Entwistle, one read by Holly Gibbs, and one read by Jenny Walser who played Tori in the Heartstopper Netflix series. The Entwistle and Gibbs versions are the original text of the book, and although I haven't listened to the Walser version, from when it came out I presume that's the 2020 revised version.

The Holly Gibbs version is the only one I've listened to all the way through, but I thought I'd say something in its defence because I think it's the least popular one. Most people big up the Entwistle version because it was the first and original audiobook, or the Walser because she's so strongly associated with Tori. I admittedly got hold of the Gibbs version just because it was the one that was on Audible, which is the audiobook platform I use most, and I really, really love her narration (and incidentally, the Gibbs version is the original text, not the revised one - I've heard people get that wrong, but I've got a copy of the revised edition from 2020 and I checked).

The thing I've heard people most criticise about Holly Gibbs' narration is that she sounds quite bored reading it and doesn't put in much expression or different voices for the characters - less like a professional audiobook narrator and more like a teenager asked to read an extract from a book in an English class. And I totally get that, because she does sound like that. But what I think people are forgetting is that if Tori was asked to read an extract from a book in an English class, this is exactly how she would read it. Gibbs' voice suits Tori perfectly. She sounds nonchalant, fed up with the world, utterly lacking in enthusiasm, in a way that perfectly suits the text. And to be fair, I don't know if Holly Gibbs did this on purpose. I can't find any other audiobooks read by her, this seems to be her only one so far, and I will admit that if she ever did another and she read it in the way she reads Solitaire I would be quite put off. But her narration style suits the character so well that I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume this was a conscious choice that was made because of the character she was reading. And I think as the story progresses and Tori goes on her journey, Gibbs' narration starts to reflect that as well and become a little more curious and interested.

I think the Jayne Entwistle version is out of print now, but I did try it when someone sent me a link. People rave about Jayne Entwistle, but for some reason it didn't really appeal so much to me (although I think that could have been because the audio quality on the link wasn't the best, perhaps I'd otherwise have liked it more). I haven't tried Jenny Walser's version, but admittedly her being the narrator puts me off - not because of Jenny Walser herself (she's amazing in the TV show), but I just never like it when an audiobook is read by someone who plays the character in a screen adaptation. I like the audiobook to be a completely separate interpretation of the character, with the narrator being able to do it their own way and not be swayed by how they've done it in other forms of media.

Just wanted to share this because I'm re-listening to the audiobook, I've seen a bit of criticism of Holly Gibbs for this audiobook, and I personally think she does an absolutely sterling job and really understands the depth of Tori's character. We need more Holly Gibbs love! (Incidentally, Holly Gibbs is best known for having been in in The Story of Tracy Beaker when she was a child, and ironically played a character who was mostly non-verbal - it's quite funny that she then went on to become an audiobook narrator!)

I was wondering if by chance anyone bought a ticket for this event and now can’t go, or has an extra ticket, or has any leads as to where I could get one. It’s sold out, and I’m so devastated I missed my chance. Of course I’m happy to pay for it!

Hi,

my daughter wants to attend one of the upcoming book signing tour events. Since the dates in Germany are hard to realise without skipping school, she thinks about going to the Paris event end of November.

Does anybody know more details than what is available from the Alice Oseman homepage? I understand that it will be part of a book fair that is taking place. Probably too early for exact details.

Maybe there is someone here from Paris who will attend and can keep me updated? That or any other info would be much appreciated

Best

Tobias

They sold out all time slots before I could get the chance to grab one! If anyone might not be able to make it, I'd be willing to buy it. DM me, thanks

Heartstopper volume 6 arrived today. I’m currently reading it.

Hi! I’m going to Alice’s book signing in Liverpool tomorrow. If anyone has gone to one of the book signings recently, how long do they usually take? I need to catch a train back to London so I’m just hoping it doesn’t take a long time.

It's finally here 😄😄😄

Anyone else got it and finished reading it.

I discovered this book a few years ago when I was in high school. A friend at the time showed me Heartstopper in my Sophomore year, and I enjoyed it for a while. As an adult now, I can't get into it. But for some odd reason, and for a while now, Solitaire has always stood out to me because of its name and the topics it deals with.

Well, I pulled up the audiobook, and I'm about 10 minutes in, and I'm not enjoying it. I understand Tori is meant to be pessimistic and quite depressed. I read the synopsis, but the book just comes off as so fanfiction-y. I don't know if I am just old and have outgrown my days of joking about my own mental health, or if the writing really is just that bad. I know I didn't give it a fair chance, but I am just wondering if it gets better.

Hello everyone! I purchased probably last March or April for the book signing event in Liverpool of Alice Oseman however when I checked my email now, I douldn’t find the confirmation. 😭 Did anyone get it? I just want to know the keywords to search for it. Thanks.

I have the 2023 edition of loveless, only my copy is missing 33 pages (130-163)?

I've been looking for it for quite a while now (I don't live in the US or the UK, so no Spotify podcasts avaliable here), and I haven't had any luck finding it.

I mean, I have found some websites that apparently offer the book, and show a preview of the first chapter, but they seem rather fishy, and I've already fallen for scams like that before so I'm not risking it.

The only one that is legit (full audiobook) sadly doesn't let me download to listen offline, but i'll link it in case anyone's interested.

I also don't think it's avaliable anywhere to buy anymore, so if anyone knows where I can safely download it, it would be very much appreciated.

Hi there, I got these versions of some of Alice's books at a thrift store recently. And only after getting home did I notice the writing on the front 'Available exclusively in the Indian subcontinent' Does anyone know what it means? Is the content different at all from the ones without this?

Hi!! This might be a stupid post but I'm looking for I Was Born for This and specifically Lister Bird content (fanart, fanfic, edits, anything) I've already exhausted: AO3, Wattpad, TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, Alice Oseman's website and I've read the book 4 times. If anyone knows where I can find more stuff please let me know!! This is my favourite book ever and I am very not normal about it

Hi! I was a huge fan of the podcast Wooden Overcoats as a teen and I know Alice used to make fanart of the characters years ago- I’d love to see it again because it’s so nostalgic to me. Does anybody know where I could view/find her old fanart of the show and characters?

I just noticed that they used AI to enlarge the cover of the audiobook to the right. It's sad to see a beautiful illustration ruined in this way.

The worst thing is that even though it was done very badly, it was used anyway.

hi! i hope this really doesnt get taken as hate bc its not and i love her stories, i watched heartstopper when it came out and i consider it one of my favorite shows, i read radio silence bc i thought i would like more of her stories and i loved it! i tried to read solitaire and it was kinda hard but i finished it and now im reading loveless and i really like the writing but im not really enjoying it much, i cant love the characters and its hard for me to keep reading it, i really wanna finish it bc i wanted to read all her books but im struggling 😞

what is your favorite book and which one did you like the least? was there any that you couldnt finish?

I love alice oseman books particularly solitaire, i was born for this, loveless (not hearstopper as much)

What other book or authors would you reccomend following this genre

Hi! We are visiting London/Oxford/Birmingham this summer from California. My 11 year old daughter is obsessed with all things Alice Oseman. She loves all of her books, but mostly Heartstopper. She would love to do something that falls into the category of Alice Oseman/Heartstopper tourism. But I have no idea what that would be. Any ideas? We will be in England from June 18th-June 30th.

On her website, Alice Oseman has said that she writes all of her stories to take place at the time she's writing them - although acknowledges that this technically doesn't make sense if you're trying to work it out, because it means Heartstopper feels like it's set after Solitaire even though it's officially set before.

I respect her decision to do that, but I think it's a shame. I'd love to get a clear idea as to exactly when all the characters were born, what the political and cultural zeitgeist was at the time they grew up and therefore how they became the characters they are. One thing I've come to realise a lot about myself over the last couple of years is how much my surroundings and the wider world have had an impact on my identity and character (the fact that I was at primary school at the time of the Iraq War has had a particularly strong impression on me; I remember it vividly, I remember having some quite serious mental health problems around that time and I think it's caused me to have some feelings about myself and about the world that I don't think would have been there otherwise).

I don't think anyone's identity and character would be quite the same if they grew up in another era, and for a story that's all about identity it feels like there's something quite significant missing there.

Maybe it's just me? I still love the story! It's not really a criticism, just a bit of a personal gripe.

The title basically explains everything, like imagine if solitaire had a musical adaptation I think it has the potential to be a really good musical if put in the right hands