“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda”: Everyone Deserves A Great Love Story
Becky Albertalli’s “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” written in 2015, has become THE coming out story of 2019 after the movies anticipated release in 2018. The book is a great representation of high school romance and all of the ups and downs that come along with one. The storyline is enticing, the characters are unique, and the commentary can shift from downright hilarious to super deep in just one paragraph. This book is definitely worth reading, and you won't be able to put it down after the first page!
The book details the life of Simon Spier. Simon is a high school junior who lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Simon enjoys eating Oreos, participating in his school drama club, and hanging out with his group of close-knit friends. His obsession with the snack that is feared by dentists, Oreos, hides his even bigger obsession with boys. Simon is gay and extremely closeted for that matter. However, in the book Simon has a sort of internet “boyfriend”, who goes by the pen name of ‘Blue’, while Simon goes by the pen name of ‘Jacques’. Simon (Jacques) doesn’t know who Blue is, and Blue doesn’t know who Simon (Jacques) is. It is a lot less confusing in the book, which is told from the point of view of Simon, followed by brief snippets of emails sent from both Simon and Blue.
One thing that really stands out in “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” is that there is never a lack of suspense. The book is laid out perfectly in the first few paragraphs of the first page and really becomes a page-turner very early on. Part of what appeals to the reader is the empathy they feel for Simon. Whether you have a child, friend, or you yourself are a member of the LGBT community, this story is easy to relate to. The relatability of Simon’s struggles makes this book perfect for people just like Simon. It can be used as a safety net for gay and lesbian children, and create a sense of awareness for these minorities.
Becky Albertalli does a fantastic job of making this book a must-read for the LGBT+ community. The book’s meaningful take on LGBT+ issues is what makes this story so inspirational. It truly feels like the author invested a lot of time to make readers feel comfortable with the idea of not being straight. Simon is very easy to relate to, which is why he could very well be a role model for LGBT+ youth that are still struggling with their identity.
This book is also full of powerful and original language. One of the quotes in the book, “White shouldn’t be the default any more than straight should be the default. There shouldn’t even be a default”, was a saving grace for the bad generalization of the LGBT+ community. Albertalli is able to write in a way that makes readers feel safe and comfortable. This sense of protection is so vital for readers who may feel lost and hopeless as they struggle with their identity.
“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” was a great book overall. Everyone should give this book a chance, regardless of whether or not you are a member of the LGBT+ community. Partly because this book is not just a coming-out story. It takes on several other big issues head-on, such as bullying, jealousy, and a snippet of underage drinking, but also has a humorous undertone that keeps readers invested. Overall, “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” is an excellent and meaningful book that will identify with any reader.
Overall rating: 5/5 stars.
