Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:
Synopsis for Solitaire (from Goodreads):
In case you’re wondering, this is not a love story.
My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now.
Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden.
I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden.
I really don’t.
Author: Alice Oseman
There are spin-off novellas. Full Reading Order Here!
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Coming of Age, Mental Health
Heat Rating: cool
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: July 31, 2014
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I’m not sure how this novel crossed my radar but I can only assume it was the title and the cover that caught my eye. I’m not a huge YA contemporary fan but the whole Solitaire notion sounded interesting and would be something I would like so I wanted to give it a shot.
Like many novels, I forgot about it until I had to come up with some 2014 titles for my 5 Year 5 Book Challenge. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect when I picked it up though. I decided to go with the audiobook version because I find I have better success with YA contemporaries that way.
The Plot:
This is perhaps my biggest issue with this story because I don’t know what the aim of this novel was. Perhaps I just missed the grand scheme of it all? I’m not sure.
Let’s start with the Solitaire aspect. Honestly, you could remove that whole plot line and still have the same novel. I really don’t know what it contributed to the story other than one scene near the end. But given what happens, I feel like you could have reached that point any number of ways and still had the same impact.
As for the plot, I felt like we were in limbo for a good chunk of it. You kinda just go through the motions of Tori’s life–which helps grow her character to a certain extent and reaffirm the coming of age aspect of this novel. But I guess I felt like nothing is done about it. Like what was the point of highlighting all those issues in her life if nothing comes of it?
When Tori has her breaking point on the roof with Michael, I was “excited” in the sense that I hoped it would bring solid development to the story. But nothing really gets done after that pivotal moment. The whole story gets wrapped up in a neat little bow and finished.
I would have liked this scene to happen a little earlier and then have some positive development for Tori. I like books that highlight mental health and I felt like this book did nothing in that respect. Well, maybe with Charlie’s character but it really is only glazed over. Does Tori suffer from depression or something else like low self-esteem? I’m not really what the answer is.
The Characters:
I had a weird relationship with Tori and I think most other readers do to. I mean in some ways she is so relateable when it comes to post-secondary school with her ever-shifting friendships and her home life. But in those same ways I don’t relate to her either.
Tori is also very blunt and sometimes that bluntness comes across as rude and judgmental. I thought some of her observations were funny but others didn’t charm me.
I actually really enjoyed Charlie’s character. I’m glad he has a novella highlighting his story because I found him to be more intriguing as a character.
The Romance:
As the synopsis says “this isn’t a love story”. It truly is such a small aspect of this book and one that I was a little “meh” about. Again, I felt like it wasn’t used in a way that contributed to this story.
My Audiobook Experience:
This was a very good audiobook. The narrator had a British accent which helped remind me of the setting. However, given Tori’s somewhat melancholy tone, it did make for a somewhat dark listen than I intended. She’s not in a very good place and that comes across in the audio version very well. But I tend to listen to audiobooks for an hour at a time as I drive so that made for a depressing car ride to work at times.
My Rating: 2.5/5
I’ll admit I just felt a little underwhelmed by this story given all the talk it gets. I understand the draw to Charlie and I can see why that is now a successful TV series.
Read if You Like: melancholy novels
Avoid if You: want more romance
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
