Post-Holiday Numbness

Victoria "Tori" Spring returns to school after the holidays, feeling emotionally numb and disconnected from her peers. She observes her friends and classmates with a detached cynicism, feeling like an outsider in her own life. Tori's only real friend is Becky, but even that relationship feels superficial. She's plagued by a sense of meaninglessness, a lack of motivation, and a persistent sense that nothing will ever change. This emotional state is the backdrop for everything that follows, coloring her interactions and shaping her perspective on the world.

The Solitaire Pranks Begin

Tori discovers a trail of Post-it notes leading her to an abandoned computer room and a cryptic blog: solitaire.co.uk. Soon, a series of elaborate pranks—ranging from Star Wars-themed assemblies to missing clocks and loose cats—begin to disrupt the monotony of school. The pranks are clever, subversive, and anonymous, quickly becoming the talk of the student body. The blog, "Solitaire," documents each act, hinting at a larger purpose. Tori is both irritated and intrigued, sensing that the pranks are more than just harmless fun.

Michael Holden Appears

Michael Holden, a quirky, relentlessly cheerful Year 13 student, bursts into Tori's life. He's odd, unpredictable, and seems to know more about Tori than he should. Michael is fascinated by the Solitaire mystery and insists on involving Tori in his "investigation." Despite her resistance, Tori is drawn to his sincerity and his refusal to let her retreat into apathy. Their dynamic is awkward but electric, and Michael's presence begins to challenge Tori's self-imposed isolation.

Old Friends, New Strangers

Lucas Ryan, Tori's childhood best friend, reappears at school after years apart. Their reunion is awkward, as both have changed and struggle to reconnect. Lucas is kind but distant, and Tori can't shake the feeling that he's hiding something. Meanwhile, Tori's relationships with her current friends—especially Becky—grow strained as social dynamics shift and secrets accumulate. The sense of alienation deepens, and Tori feels increasingly adrift.

The Mystery Deepens

The pranks escalate in scale and impact, targeting teachers, disrupting lessons, and sowing chaos. Tori begins to notice that many of the pranks seem oddly tailored to her interests and experiences—Star Wars, violin music, cats, and more. Michael suggests that Solitaire is somehow connected to Tori, but she resists the idea. The school administration is powerless, and the student body is divided between admiration and fear. Tori's curiosity grows, but so does her anxiety.

Pranks Escalate, Tensions Rise

As Solitaire's influence spreads, the pranks become more dangerous. A fire alarm is pulled, IT systems are hacked, and a student (Ben Hope) is publicly targeted and beaten by a mob incited by a Solitaire blog post. The line between prank and violence blurs, and Tori is horrified by the crowd's complicity. She feels responsible but powerless, haunted by the realization that inaction can be as harmful as action. The school's sense of safety unravels.

Lucas Returns, Connections Fray

Tori's relationships with Lucas, Becky, and Michael reach breaking points. Lucas avoids Tori, hinting at unspoken feelings and guilt. Becky, absorbed in her own drama, grows distant. Michael, struggling with his own anger and sense of inadequacy, pulls away after a confrontation with Tori. Tori's family life is also strained, as her younger brother Charlie battles mental health issues and Tori feels helpless to support him. The web of connections that once anchored Tori now feels fragile and unreliable.

Friendship and Family Fractures

The pressure of Solitaire's campaign and her own emotional turmoil push Tori to the brink. She lashes out at Becky, ending their friendship in a moment of pain and betrayal. Lucas confesses his involvement in Solitaire, revealing that he started the blog and the pranks out of a misguided desire to help Tori and recapture their childhood bond. The revelation devastates Tori, who feels used and misunderstood. Meanwhile, Michael's struggles with anger and self-worth come to a head, and Charlie's mental health crisis deepens. Tori is left feeling utterly alone.

The Truth About Solitaire

Tori confronts Lucas, who admits that he created Solitaire to "save" her from her unhappiness, but lost control as others took over and the pranks escalated. The final plan—a plot to burn down the school—has been set in motion by Lucas's co-conspirators, Evelyn and Quiff, who have become radicalized by the group's sense of purpose. Tori and Becky intervene just in time to prevent them from starting the fire, but a blaze breaks out anyway, threatening everyone inside.

The Fire and the Fall

As the school burns, Tori is separated from her friends and trapped on the roof, overwhelmed by guilt, exhaustion, and despair. She contemplates ending her life, convinced that she has failed everyone and that nothing she does matters. Below, her friends and family gather, calling out to her. Michael appears on the roof above, reaching out to her both literally and emotionally. In a moment of clarity, Tori chooses to step back from the edge, allowing herself to be saved.

Confronting the Edge

On the roof, Tori and Michael finally confront their feelings and vulnerabilities. Michael admits that he, too, is angry and lost, and that he needs Tori as much as she needs him. They acknowledge their flaws and the pain they carry, but also the possibility of hope and connection. Their embrace is both a literal and symbolic lifeline, pulling Tori back from the brink and affirming the value of imperfect, messy relationships.

Choosing to Stay

With Michael's support, Tori chooses to keep living, not because her problems are solved, but because she recognizes the importance of being present for herself and others. The fire is extinguished, and the immediate crisis passes. Tori's relationships with her friends and family remain complicated, but she begins to accept that healing is possible, even if it's slow and uncertain. The experience leaves her changed, more aware of her own strength and the impact of her choices.

Aftermath and Understanding

In the days following the fire, Tori, Michael, Lucas, Becky, Charlie, and Nick process what has happened. The school community is shaken, but there is a sense of solidarity among those who survived. Tori and Michael's relationship deepens, grounded in honesty and mutual support. Tori reconciles with Becky and Lucas, recognizing that forgiveness and understanding are essential for moving forward. The group faces the consequences of their actions, but also the possibility of redemption.

Healing and Moving Forward

The novel ends with Tori acknowledging that she is not "fixed," but she is alive and not alone. She accepts that sadness and struggle are part of life, but so are connection, laughter, and hope. Tori's journey is ongoing, but she is no longer defined by her apathy or despair. Surrounded by friends and family, she looks toward the future with cautious optimism, ready to face whatever comes next.

Characters

Victoria "Tori" Spring

Tori is the protagonist and narrator, a sixteen-year-old girl who feels alienated from her peers, family, and even herself. She is intelligent, observant, and deeply self-critical, masking her vulnerability with sarcasm and detachment. Tori's depression is never named but is palpable in her apathy and sense of futility. Her relationships are fraught—she feels misunderstood by her friends, powerless to help her brother, and unworthy of love. Over the course of the novel, Tori is forced to confront her own pain, the consequences of inaction, and the possibility of connection. Her journey is one of reluctant self-acceptance and the slow, difficult work of healing.

Michael Holden

Michael is a new student, eccentric and unpredictable, who refuses to let Tori retreat into isolation. He is fascinated by the Solitaire mystery and by Tori herself, pursuing both with a mix of sincerity and oddball humor. Beneath his cheerful exterior, Michael struggles with anger, loneliness, and a sense of not fitting in. He is drawn to Tori because he recognizes a kindred spirit—someone who is also "not normal." Michael's persistence and vulnerability help Tori begin to open up, and their relationship becomes a lifeline for both.

Lucas Ryan

Lucas is Tori's former best friend, now returned to her life as a changed and distant figure. He is awkward, sensitive, and burdened by guilt. Lucas is revealed to be the creator of Solitaire, having started the blog and pranks in a misguided attempt to help Tori and recapture their lost connection. As the pranks spiral out of control, Lucas loses his grip on the group and on himself. His confession is a turning point for Tori, forcing her to confront the dangers of both action and inaction.

Becky Allen

Becky is Tori's closest friend at the start of the novel, outgoing and popular, but their relationship is strained by changing priorities and misunderstandings. Becky is preoccupied with boys and parties, often oblivious to Tori's struggles. However, when it matters most, Becky steps up—confronting the Solitaire conspirators and helping to prevent disaster. Her willingness to act, even when afraid, is a counterpoint to Tori's passivity.

Charlie Spring

Charlie is Tori's younger brother, a gentle and kind-hearted boy who struggles with an eating disorder and self-harm. His illness is a source of pain and guilt for Tori, who feels helpless to save him. Charlie's relationship with Nick is a rare source of stability and happiness in his life. Charlie's vulnerability and resilience are a reminder of the importance of compassion and the limits of control.

Nick Nelson

Nick is Charlie's boyfriend, a rugby player with a big heart. He is loyal, protective, and unafraid to challenge Tori or others when necessary. Nick's presence is a stabilizing force for Charlie and, by extension, for Tori. He represents the possibility of healthy, supportive relationships, even in the midst of chaos.

Evelyn Foley

Evelyn is a member of Tori's social circle and, as it turns out, a key player in the later stages of Solitaire. She is fashionable, opinionated, and eager to be seen as unique. Evelyn's involvement in Solitaire is driven by a desire for significance and belonging, but she ultimately lacks the conviction to follow through with real harm.

Quiff (Aaron Riley)

Quiff is Lucas's co-conspirator in Solitaire's final, most dangerous act. He is more interested in chaos and notoriety than in helping anyone. His bravado masks insecurity and a lack of real purpose. Quiff's willingness to escalate the pranks to violence is a warning about the dangers of groupthink and unchecked anger.

Lauren Romilly

Lauren is part of Tori's friend group, known for her humor and bluntness. She is less central to the main plot but provides moments of levity and perspective. Lauren's reactions to the events around her highlight the absurdity and unpredictability of adolescence.

Rita Sengupta

Rita is another member of Tori's social circle, often overlooked but consistently present. She offers small acts of kindness and understanding, reminding Tori that not all connections are dramatic or fraught. Rita's steadiness is a subtle but important counterbalance to the chaos around her.

Plot Devices

Anonymous Blog and Pranks

The Solitaire blog and its escalating pranks serve as the central narrative engine, creating suspense and forcing characters to confront their values and relationships. The anonymity of the blog allows for speculation, paranoia, and shifting alliances. The pranks themselves are both a source of humor and a vehicle for exploring deeper issues—alienation, the desire for meaning, and the consequences of action and inaction.

Unreliable Narration and Internal Monologue

The story is filtered through Tori's cynical, self-deprecating voice, blurring the line between objective events and subjective experience. Her unreliability as a narrator reflects her emotional instability and deepens the reader's immersion in her world. The use of internal monologue allows for nuanced exploration of depression, self-doubt, and the slow process of healing.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

The novel is rich with foreshadowing—references to fire, falling, and the edge recur throughout, building tension and signaling Tori's emotional trajectory. Symbols like the Solitaire blog, the violin, and the burning school represent isolation, lost potential, and the destructive power of unchecked emotion. The use of pop culture references (films, music, books) grounds the story in a specific adolescent reality while also commenting on the search for meaning.

Parallel Character Arcs

Tori, Michael, Lucas, and Charlie each grapple with feelings of inadequacy, anger, and the desire to belong. Their parallel journeys underscore the novel's central message: that everyone is fighting unseen battles, and that connection—however imperfect—is essential for survival. The interplay between action and inaction, honesty and secrecy, is explored through their choices and consequences.

Climactic Confrontation and Catharsis

The burning of the school is both the narrative climax and a metaphor for the destructive potential of pain left unaddressed. Tori's confrontation with the edge—her near-suicide—is the emotional heart of the novel, forcing her (and the reader) to reckon with the value of life, the possibility of change, and the importance of reaching out.

Analysis

Solitaire is a raw, unflinching exploration of adolescent depression, alienation, and the desperate search for meaning in a world that often feels indifferent or hostile. Alice Oseman's debut novel captures the texture of modern teenage life—its digital landscapes, pop culture obsessions, and social hierarchies—while delving deeply into the psychological realities of its protagonist. Through Tori's journey, the novel interrogates the dangers of apathy, the consequences of both action and inaction, and the redemptive power of connection. The Solitaire pranks, at first a source of excitement and rebellion, ultimately reveal the emptiness of spectacle without substance and the harm that can arise from unchecked anger and loneliness. The story's resolution is neither neat nor complete—Tori is not "fixed," and her relationships remain complicated—but there is hope in her choice to stay, to reach out, and to accept the messy, imperfect work of living. Solitaire is a testament to the importance of empathy, honesty, and the courage to keep going, even when nothing seems to matter.

Last updated: May 7, 2025