Another Love Story

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    When you look at the list of awards Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda won you might expect it to be a powerful, poignant, incredible story about a LGBTQIA+ teenage boy—and that is exactly what it is. But the amazing thing about Albertalli's book is that it doesn't try to be any of those things.

    Simon vs.... is like any other contemporary Young Adult romance book. Its main character, Simon Spier, is a teenager in high school. He has close friends, parents he finds somewhat annoying at times, siblings who frustrate him, but he adores nonetheless. Simon also has a secret relationship with the mysterious Blue through email. The only thing that sets this book drastically apart from all the others that were published five years ago, is the is features a gay main character.

    Representation for LGBTQIA+ characters in YA books is something people have fought for for years now, and only now are we starting to see enough queer representation that straight is just beginning to no longer be considered the norm in YA books.

    Simon vs.... doesn't do anything books by straight authors about straight characters doesn't do. There are multiple plot lines, there is conflict, there is a moment where it looks like all hope is lot for our main character, but in the end, there is a happy resolution where us readers can't help but smile for Simon. The only difference is Simon is gay.

    There are voices in the 'book community' who expect books about characters that are different from them (whether it be gender, race, orientation, etc.) to be big and meaningful and educational. There is nothing wrong with these books like this—The Hate U Give is a prime example of one of these books, and it is still extremely entertaining. Authors who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community do not need to do anything in their books other than provide readers with an entertaining story. That is exactly where Albertalli has done.

    Throughout the book Simon remarks on how his parents turn things into a big deal. But in the end he believes that his being gay and out and at home alone with his boyfriend "is a big deal. Maybe it's a hold freaking huge awesome deal. Maybe I want it to be" (Albertalli, 303). Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a big deal. Not because it is a story about a gay teenager that teaches readers valuable lessons about the LGBTQIA+ community, but because it is a story about a teenager that is just like every other YA book. We talk about people in minority groups needing more representation. But they also need good representation, and Albertalli provides that.

Comments

  1. Chelsea KSeptember 21, 2020 at 8:08 AM

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  2. Chelsea KSeptember 21, 2020 at 8:10 AM

    "Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda" is notable for its contemporary feel but it is this essential element that also left me struggling to justify its inclusion as a piece of educational material. At its core, "Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda" is a romantic fluff piece. The language is simplistic and the themes are cliche.

    Although, I will admit that this may be a matter of perception. After the intensity of our first two novels, "Simon" comes across as routine and tame. I was in a higher analytical gear after reading "The Hate U Give" and had difficulty downshifting to "Simon’s" more basic structure and thematic components. I was vaguely aware of the textual elements of autonomy and relationship development (both with the self and others) inherent in the novel but had difficulty focusing on them. I know to a teenage audience these are incredibly relevant concepts but, honestly, I think better texts exist to explore them.

    I would not teach "Simon" as my core text for an LGBTQ unit but it could be a beneficial companion piece to a more intensive LGBTQ based book. "Simon" could easily be read independently, in a supplementary capacity, to provide students with an alternative representation of members of the LGBTQ community.

    Works Cited

    Albertalli, Becky. Simon vs. "The Homosapien Agenda." HaperCollins Publishers, 2015.

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  3. toriehicksSeptember 21, 2020 at 3:01 PM

    Callum, when reading your discussion it automatically brought me to the quote, "It is definitely annoying that straight (and white, for that matter) is the default, and that the only people who have to think about their identity are the ones who don't fit that mold. Straight people really should have to come out, and the more awkward it is, the better. Awkwardness should be a requirement." (Albertalli 147). I think that this quote shows how the author feels about how different it is to be straight versus being LGBTQ. I wish this weren't true, but the reality is that these individuals face hardship and judgment every day. I think the author's goal is to show these individuals that it is okay to be yourself, especially by showing that Simon does not care what anyone else thinks. The author wrote this book just like any other romance novel, like you said. This shows that the Albertalli wants it to be normal, and that she thinks that it is "annoying that straight is the default."

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