This feels like the end of an era.
I re-read the first five graphic novels and this one in a single day off and on. I won’t re-review each one but I do talk about the story as a whole. I sped through volumes 1-4 as I’ve re-read them the most and I spent a bit more time with volume 5 and then spread out volume 6 the longest. Knowing it was the last one I wanted to truly treasure it, reading it a chapter at a time. Seriously though, at one point I was sitting on our back deck trying not to sob.
It wasn’t because it was sad, it was because there were so many little references to the previous novels that just made it seem so final that it kind of hurt to realize that even though Nick and Charlie’s story lives on through so many glimpses on Oseman’s social media, this will be the last novel published of their story.
The entire series is the story of queer joy trouncing anything thrown at it. Sure Charlie and Nick both have their struggles and Oseman handles them with care and with honesty and so well, but in the end the series is about friendship and love and growing up to be good people. And in this instance a beautiful and happy queer couple. Both Nick and Charlie’s journeys over this six book series I felt were really well handled.
In volume one we start with Charlie finally finding some peace after his horrible coming out and then finding Nick. And then there’s a big dip in the middle of the series where the stress of secondary school gets to him and he relapses with some self harming and eating disorder actions. Seeing how he reclaims it and runs for head boy on a platform of ending bullying and creating an open space for all students at Truham just gave good vibes. And then when they wouldn’t support his club, having the teachers tell him queer people have never asked for permission was just a beautiful bow tie on his secondary school career.
On Nick’s side, we have the bi-panic / bisexual awakening that will be iconic for years to come. It’s one of the only things that I think the full color adaptation of the Netflix series brought to life so much better with the bi-pride flag colors in the lighting as he comes to the full realization, but they stayed true to the story, just added color. We then got to experience Charlie’s struggles through Nick and his loving and caring with his whole being and not knowing how to handle it only to then be followed up by his own crises. Although not the same as Charlie’s they were just as important and impactful on his and Charlie’s relationship. From his brother and dad to his own questioning of where he should go to school and who he was having found Charlie and who he’ll be in the future, these were all such relatable challenges no matter who you are or what your sexuality is. It’s growing up and figuring out adulthood.
As an added bonus, I mentioned in the last post it was kind of surreal to see the Brotherton library and clock tower drawn by Oseman. I remember distinctly studying in it and walking up the hill seeing it on the left as you head towards campus. So neat to have an actual connection with this wonderful story.
Recommendation: 100% recommend. The entire series is so wholesome and although I think the story waned in these final two novels, it was no less full of queer joy than the first ones. Oseman brought Charlie and Nick to a more mature relationship and launched them into the rest of their lives with realistic outlooks on their relationship, their families, friends and the world. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending that wasn’t too saccharine sweet but still hit all the high points of the novels with little details and scenes that just made me well up with happy tears over and over.
