About the Book

Book: This Winter

Author: Alice Oseman

Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks

Number of Pages: 144

Price: Rs 350.00

‘This Winter’ by Alice Oseman is a poignant novella that takes readers through the emotional highs and lows of a family Christmas, focusing on the Spring siblings Tori, Charlie and Oliver. Set against the festive backdrop, the story explores themes of mental health, family dynamics and the bittersweet nature of the holiday season, all brought to life through Oseman’s sharp writing and illustrations, says SAKSHI PRIYA

Reading This Winter by Alice Oseman felt like opening the door to a family Christmas. I wasn’t expecting the real, raw and far-from-idealised holiday scenes we’re so often shown. From the first few pages, I was completely immersed in the story, not just because of the emotional weight it carried but also due to the beautiful illustrations scattered throughout the novella. Each sketch felt like a pause in the narrative, giving me a moment to visually connect with the characters’ emotions before diving back into the heart of the story.

Oseman’s writing is as sharp and relatable as ever. From the outset, we are drawn into Tori’s introspective thoughts, revealing her internal battle with the weight of her brother’s eating disorder and the family tension that permeates their holiday celebrations. The way Tori copes with her feelings attempting to block out the painful reality and focus on the present resonates with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed during family gatherings. Oseman captures the awkwardness and rawness of sibling relationships beautifully, especially in the way Tori and Charlie communicate through shared moments, gaming, and humour.

What really struck me as I read was how deeply relatable the characters were. Tori Spring, as the narrator, brings a sharp, dry humour that resonates with anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by family drama. Her internal monologue is full of wit and sarcasm, but beneath it, you can sense the love she has for her brother Charlie and the sheer exhaustion she feels from carrying the emotional weight of her family. Oseman perfectly captures that feeling of being torn between wanting to escape everything and knowing you can’t leave the people you care about behind.

Charlie’s character, who struggles with an eating disorder, is written with so much sensitivity. His experience isn’t romanticised or exaggerated, and Oseman gives his journey the space and respect it deserves. The tension he feels during the Christmas gathering caught between wanting to seem “fine” for the sake of his family and grappling with his own mental health was portrayed with such raw honesty that it left me thinking long after I’d finished the novella. The illustrations of Charlie enhance this portrayal, visually showing his fragility and the quiet strength he’s trying to hold onto.

Then there’s Oliver, the youngest sibling, who adds a lovely contrast to the more serious tone of the story. His excitement for Christmas, innocent enthusiasm and bright energy felt like a breath of fresh air amidst the heavier themes of the novella. Author uses him brilliantly as a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there are glimpses of light small things that pull us back to the simplicity of joy, especially during the holidays.

What I loved most about This Winter was how balanced it felt. Yes, it deals with tough subjects like mental health, family pressure and the suffocating expectations that can accompany Christmas but it’s also full of moments that made me smile. The banter between Tori and Charlie, the quiet understanding between siblings and the warmth of shared moments, even amidst emotional chaos, kept the story from feeling heavy. It reminded me that while the holidays can be complicated, they’re also a time for connection and understanding, however imperfect that might be.

In the end, This Winter felt like a comforting, bittersweet read - one that acknowledged the reality of mental health struggles during the festive season but also left me feeling hopeful. It’s a story about love, family and the small moments that carry us through tough times. Alice Oseman, with her sharp writing and heartwarming illustrations, created something that’s both poignant and uplifting and I found myself thinking about the characters long after I finished reading.