Sweet Sorrow (novel)

Sweet Sorrow is a 2019 coming-of-age novel by British writer David Nicholls. It is written in the perspective of 16-year-old Charlie Lewis, a teenage boy grappling with his parents' divorce who finds love and direction through a summer theatre production.

The novel explores the bittersweet nature of first love, the transformative power of art, the challenges of growing up, and the search for one's place in the world. Sweet Sorrow has received positive reviews from critics, who noted Nicholls's skill in evoking the nostalgia and intensity of first love, his ability to balance humour and heartfelt emotion, and his storytelling.

It was first published in Great Britain in 2019 by Hodder & Stoughton.

Plot
In 1997, 16-year-old Charlie Lewis is struggling with the aftermath of his parents' divorce. He lives with his depressed, unemployed, and alcoholic father and feels directionless and uncertain about his future, having failed his GCSEs and facing a long, empty summer before the results come out.

One day, while reading next to an old mansion on a hill, Charlie meets Fran Fisher, a girl from a more affluent background who attends a nearby private school. Fran is involved in a local amateur theatre production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and Charlie, smitten with her, joins the production as Benvolio to spend more time with her, despite his lack of acting experience.

As Charlie becomes more immersed in the world of the theatre production, his relationship with Fran deepens, and the two fall in love. To obtain funds, Charlie works part-time at a petrol station, where he ultimately resorts to thievery by stealing scratchcards for their monetary prizes. His scheme is detected on the night after he loses his virginity to Fran. Humiliated, Charlie quits from the play, but is ultimately persuaded by the other cast members to return.

Although Fran and Charlie share a passionate, serious relationship, they ultimately break up after five months due to Charlie's lack of motivation and clear direction for his future. Fran goes off to college, full of excitement and ambition for what lies ahead, while Charlie wallows in self-pity and uses the excuse of looking after his depressed father to avoid moving forward with his own life, taking a job working at an airport lounge.

Six years later, Charlie is finally convinced to leave his hometown, retake his failed exams, and apply to colleges. He ends up becoming a visual effects artist and meets Niamh, who later becomes his fiancée. Just weeks before his wedding to Niamh, a 38-year-old Charlie attends a reunion of the old theatre company, where he briefly reconnects with Fran. He returns home, reflecting on the lessons he learned that summer and the person he has become.

Themes
The central theme of the novel is the intensity and nostalgia associated with first love. The book delves into the all-consuming passion and emotional upheaval that often characterize teenage romances, while also acknowledging the transient nature of such relationships. Through the portrayal of Charlie and Fran's relationship, the novel suggests that first loves, despite their brevity, can leave an indelible mark on one's life and shape future experiences and expectations.

Another significant theme is the transformative power of art, particularly through the protagonist's involvement in a production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The play serves as a catalyst for Charlie's personal growth and his relationship with Fran, highlighting the ways in which art can provide a sense of purpose, belonging, and self-discovery. The novel suggests that engaging with art can be a formative experience, helping individuals navigate the complexities of their own lives and emotions. Reviewers have noted that the novel is "an ode to the formative powers of art" and that the play serves as a "backdrop" to the central love story.

Growing up and finding one's place in the world is another central theme in Sweet Sorrow. Charlie's journey from a self-described "nobody" to someone with a sense of purpose and belonging is a key aspect of the narrative. The novel explores the challenges and uncertainties that often accompany the transition from adolescence to adulthood, including the struggle to establish one's identity, navigate complex relationships, and find a sense of belonging. Critics have praised the novel for its "truthful and mature" depiction of both the joys and the hardships of teenage life and for capturing "the essence of the teenage experience".

Throughout the novel, the theme of nostalgia is prevalent, as the adult Charlie reflects on his past experiences and the lasting impact they have had on his life. The bittersweet tone of the narrative suggests that while memories of first love and the struggles of growing up can be painful, they also serve as a reminder of the intensity and beauty of youth. The novel's exploration of nostalgia invites readers to reflect on their own formative experiences and the ways in which they have shaped their lives.

Critical reception
The novel has received positive reviews from critics. Writing for The Guardian, Alex Preston lauded the novel as "a book that does what Nicholls does best, sinking the reader deep into a nostalgic memory-scape, pinning the narrative to a love story that manages to be moving without ever tipping over into sentimentality, all of it composed with deftness, intelligence and, most importantly, humour". Alfred Hickling, also of The Guardian, enjoyed the book, stating that "no one who has previously been seduced by the warmth and wry humour of Nicholls's fiction is likely to be disappointed by the fizzing trajectory of the central plot" and appreciated how "Nicholls resists the temptation to become overly sentimental about teenage infatuation". Holly Williams of The Independent awarded the novel 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as "an ideal blend of the gently humorous and utterly heartfelt" and "a thrummingly intense evocation of both a first high and first love". She particularly appreciated how Nicholls "writes all the rubbish stuff" about being a teenager, making the book feel "more truthful and mature".

In her review for The Washington Post, Bethanne Patrick commended Nicholls's "acute understanding of those moments in life that change things" and his ability to remind readers that "we've all had our own sweet sorrows, first loves that, when recounted, might set other people's teeth on edge". Stuart Kelly of The Scotsman praised the novel's tragicomic nature, stating that "Sweet Sorrow manages to be interesting, moving, hilarious and sad at the same time" and that "sentimentality is an underrated genre in some ways. Done well it is incredibly affecting [...] but hard to get right. Sweet Sorrow manages to be interesting, moving, hilarious and sad at the same time". Olivia Fricot of Booktopia described the novel as "a bemused ode to first love, but also an ode to the formative powers of art", appreciating how "Nicholls doesn't just do the good bits" of being a teenager, but also "writes all the rubbish stuff too – and this doesn't diminish the nostalgia, but rather makes the book feel more truthful and mature". Library Journal's Barbara Hoffert highly recommended the book, writing, "As Charlie notes, displaying a growing understanding of Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet '[is] stuffed with anticipation,' and readers will be, too, as Nicholls masterfully unfolds events. The depth of feeling between friends, family members, and lovers, first time or not – Nicholls captures it all".