The final volume of the best, most heartwarming, breathtaking, loving, and hopeful webseries ever, 'Heartstopper', and of course it is beautiful and tearful, do you need to ask?
Yeah. Not much for me to say without spoiling anything. 'Heartstopper: Volume Six' is darn near perfect; it's not completely satisfactory for a finale - to all the characters' story arcs - but who cares? Nothing and no one can be perfect, and that's the point! It's a darn near perfect end to a perfect series.
Okay, one part I have to point out: Near the end, Charlie talks about being "maybe in another universe" where he and Nick break up over an argument and misunderstanding, to which Nick responds that if that happened, they would figure it out and get back together. Either way, they will be okay, and they will love each other and be together forever. I think, on Oseman's end, this might be somewhat of a critical commentary on the novella she wrote way back in 2015, 'Nick and Charlie' - indeed, the midpoint misunderstanding and breakup in that is the only thing I don't like about it. At least in the webcomics, with the advantage of more time spent on literally drawing and developing the characters and story, and for personal, authorial growth and maturity, there are no contrivances, clichés, and a grave lack of communication (unless it's for understandable reasons that underline the characters' serious issues), from beginning to end.
The best relationships are about communication, openness and honesty, not just love and dependence (codependence and overdependence, and being clingy, are not healthy, and don't realistically work). Share everything - your thoughts, your feelings - whatever is comfortable with you, and whenever you are ready, but remember that you are not a burden, you are not broken, and there is nothing shameful about you, for no one is perfect. Everyone is at least a little "messed up". And having a life partner and being in a relationship is not a substitute for therapy. Don't pin your hopes - and your life - on and around your partner. Seek professional help. Be supportive and caring to your loved one, but this should not be a one-way street. Share. Listen. Communicate. Be honest. Be patient.
'Heartstopper' - it is art that might just be beyond criticism.
It is an experience.
I love it so.
I recommend the miraculously-existing TV adaptation, as well.
I'll end my talking about the 'Heartstopper' comics the way I began it, all the way back in 2017 (nearly ten years ago!), with these words:
Nick and Charlie is life.
And to paraphrase: 'Heartstopper' is too good and pure for this world, and it made me believe in love again - in humanity's capacity for kindness, compassion, empathy, and understanding. It is an LBGTQA+ beauty. Therein lie effortless, organic, authentic human diversity and inclusivity, and the series highlights intersectionality. There are no buzzwords, there is no "pandering", and it's not "woke" - it simply states facts, and reflects reality.
It is what the world needs right now.
It is proof that the simplest things can make the greatest, most important things ever.
'Heartstopper' is one of the sweetest, purest, most charming and adorable and wonderful things ever.
'Heartstopper' by Alice Oseman - it is worth your every penny, pound, and heartbeat.
Happy Pride, every month. Every day. Every minute. Every second. All the time.
Goodbye Charlie Spring, Nick Nelson, Tao Xu, Elle Argent (the greatest!), Tara Jones (love her!), Darcy Olsson (love love them!), Tori Spring (love love love her!), Oliver Spring (adore the little cherub!), Sahar Zahid, Aled Last, Mr Ajayi, Mr Farouk, Nellie the dog, Henry the cutest dog ever, and many others - you and your loves will never be forgotten.
My other gushing 'Heartstopper' reviews, starting from where it all began:
'Heartstopper (webcomic)'
'Heartstopper Volume One'
'Heartstopper Volume Two'
'Heartstopper Volume Three'
'Heartstopper Volume Four'
'Heartstopper Volume Five'
'The Heartstopper Yearbook'
'The Heartstopper Colouring Book'
'Heartstopper - Official Fan Cards'
'Nick and Charlie'
'This Winter'
Final Score (for 'Volume Six'): 4.5/5
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