Book Review: Paris Reveals All in 'Heartstopper Vol. 3'
[Ed note: this review deals with topics related to self-harm and eating disorders, which may be upsetting for some readers]
We left Heartstopper Volume 2 with Nick and his mom talking about Nick being bi. Thankfully, his mom is incredibly supportive! She will be a huge ally for Nick and Charlie when family members in both Volume 3 and Volume 4 cast aspersions on their relationship. Luckily, in Volume 3, we have more and more support to shore up as well.
Nick’s coming out publicly remains in the air as we start Volume 3. Nick isn’t sure his friends will be receptive even though they apologize for their behavior in the past. As for Charlie, he’s also nervous about them coming out as a couple; the bullying was so bad when he came out the previous year that he began cutting*. Charlie is confident that all of his close friends will be supportive, but telling them might mean telling the entire school by extension.
The majority of this volume covers a class trip to Paris at the beginning of summer break, and there’s nothing like a microcosm of teenagers to reveal secrets. My favorite response when one of their friends walks in on Nick and Charlie making out: “Oh. You’re being gay. Good job. Carry on.” On the other hand, Nick begins to suspect Charlie is anorexic*.
The drama of coming out is balanced with other new queer couples- one between students, and one between teachers. It is so refreshing that Nick and Charlie being open about their relationship encourages so many others to be honest about their feelings as well. They are building a beautiful queer-friendly group that support and protect each other from nay-sayers.
Fun bonuses in all volumes include character bios, mini-comics detailing supporting character stories, room layouts, diary entries, and one meta moment when a character is reading another Alice Oseman book. I continue to love the black/white/turquoise palette and the way Oseman focuses on close-up interactions and expressions; we really feel in-the-moment with each scene.
Don’t forget to watch the trailer for the upcoming Heartstopper series on Netflix, dropping April 22. Oseman has several more releases coming out this year: a Heartstopper Volume 1 tie-in edition on April 28, The Heartstopper Yearbook on October 13, and the US edition of YA novel I Was Born for This on October 18. Oseman is also doing an Instagram takeover of Barnes & Noble’s account on April 7.
*If you or anyone you know is dealing with self-harm or an eating disorder, please seek help immediately. You can instant message a counselor at www.crisistextline.org or www.thetrevorproject.org. You can also find more resources at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org, www.adaa.org, and www.heardalliance.org. For anyone who needs to hear this: You matter.