Prakash Books - Solitaire

Overview:
Solitaire by Alice Oseman is a contemporary young adult novel that follows Tori Spring, a teenager who feels disconnected from her peers, her life, and herself. Tori is cynical and withdrawn, preferring to blog in solitude. However, her monotonous existence is disrupted when a mysterious group called "Solitaire" begins playing pranks at her school, and when Michael Holden—a boy she finds both annoying and intriguing—starts trying to befriend her. Tori is forced to confront her growing sense of alienation and the deeper issues lurking beneath the surface.

Key Themes:

• Mental Health and Depression: Tori's internal struggles and her detachment from life are central to the narrative. The book deals with themes of mental health, particularly teenage depression, loneliness, and the difficulty of reaching out for help.
• Friendship and Connection: Despite her disinterest in forming relationships, Tori finds herself drawn to Michael Holden, a quirky and persistent classmate who contrasts her with his optimism. The novel explores the complexities of friendship, human connection, and how relationships can help break through emotional barriers.
• Identity and Adolescence: Tori’s journey is deeply tied to the pressures of growing up, dealing with A-levels, university applications, and the overwhelming realization that adulthood is approaching. The story captures the uncertainties of adolescence and the search for identity in a rapidly changing world.
• Mystery of Solitaire: The group called "Solitaire" adds an element of mystery to the novel, with their disruptive pranks serving as a metaphor for the chaos and confusion Tori feels inside. The reader, like Tori, is left questioning who is behind Solitaire and what their true motives are.

Writing Style:
Alice Oseman’s writing is intimate, capturing Tori’s first-person narrative with rawness and authenticity. The tone is often sarcastic and biting, reflecting Tori's jaded worldview. Oseman skillfully portrays the inner monologue of a teenager who feels emotionally numb, while weaving in dialogue that ranges from witty to poignant. The novel's pacing allows the tension to build gradually, both in Tori's personal life and in the external mystery surrounding Solitaire.

Conclusion:
Solitaire is a thought-provoking and deeply emotional exploration of teenage life, mental health, and the challenges of finding oneself. Through Tori’s journey, Alice Oseman creates a character who is relatable in her struggles with depression and disconnection, making this book a meaningful read for anyone who has ever felt lost or misunderstood. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers but instead portrays the messiness of adolescence and the importance of reaching out, even when it feels impossible.

Perfect for fans of contemporary YA fiction that explores mental health with sensitivity, Solitaire offers a voice that resonates with the uncertainties of growing up and the power of friendship to guide us through the darkest times.