Review: Simon VS The Homosapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli

Genre: YA

Published: 7th April 2015

Length: 303 pages

My rating: 10/10

Overview: Simon has been hiding one big secret all his life; he's gay. Only one person knows - the mysterious 'Blue'. All Simon knows about him is that they go to the same school and he is also a closeted gay kid. Whilst emailing back and forth, Simon finds himself falling in love with this mystery boy...but the course of love never did run smooth.

I have lots to say regarding this book, but let's start with a fun anecdote about the struggle I underwent buying this book.

So I first read this back in 2016 (this is the first book I'm reviewing that is actually a reread!) and although I loved it, I haven't read it since. So, I was out shopping at a beautiful bookshop that I only generally get to go to once a year. In the YA section, there was 'buy two get one free' sale, and I'm a sucker for a sale. I found two books I was interested in reading in the sale, but unfortunately could not find any others and I thought it was kind of dumb to buy two books without getting a free third one. Then I saw it. Tucked away in a tiny pile, with the joyous sale sticker on it...Simon! My love! I gleefully picked it up, only to recoil in horror, for this was not the Simon I loved. It was the...movie cover *shudders*. Now don't get me wrong, I'm sure the main actor will do a great job, but he just doesn't look like Simon to me. Where are the Harry Potter glasses, hm? Unacceptable. But this was not the worst thing about the book.

They changed the title. To the title of the movie.

I'm sorry, that is a big old nope. Don't do that shit.

I shoved the book back on it's pile, disgusted. I went to browse through the shelves, and found the same book with the same sticker, and next to it...the original edition! Yay! Angels are singing! I did a happy dance! But...there was no sale sticker.

I panicked. I needed this book. It was this or nothing. However, being the socially awkward person I am, I couldn't just ask one of the shop workers if it technically counted as being on the sale. No, I waited a full forty minutes, hopping around with indecision, picking up and putting down books. Needless to say, my mum and sister were getting extremely pissed off with me, and threatened to leave without me if I wasn't done in five minutes. Although living in a book store is obviously my dream, I knew that sadly, it was not a real option. Gathering up all my courage, I went to the till to explain my situation. Fortunately the server was a young female who I felt would be sympathetic to my plight, and indeed she was (book sellers are angels living in human bodies). After whispering to her about how this book was so important to my closeted queer ass self, she happily gave it to me for free and I left with all the books I wanted! *Dreamy sighs*. Sorry for boring you all with that largely irrelevant story, now onto the actual review!

I was worried that rereading this, I wouldn't love it as much as the first time, but I was wrong! In some ways it made it more enjoyable, such as squealing when Simon and Blue were interacting in real life without realising who the other was. Y'all should probably have guessed that I love this book, because any book that mentions the Harry Potter fandom (especially with references to Drarry!) will also go up a star or two for me. I love the layout of a chapter then a set of emails, as you can really see Blue and Simon falling hard for each over time and it's fucking adorable. You honestly wouldn't be able to guess the author is straight; I found myself really able to relate to Simon and it wasn't the kind of patronising view on closeted kids that straight authors tend to slip in. I think Becky Albertalli deserves huge praise for this and I really need to get on and read some of her other books! Its also not one of those really depressing 'I'm gay, no one will love me' books, and is actually really funny whilst still maintaining a serious undertone and dealing with real issues, such as homophobia. Whilst outright bullying was addressed, the issue of subtle homophobic jokes was also spoken about, the kind that people make without thinking about when they think everyone else is straight, not realising how much it can cut into you as a closeted gay even though its only supposed to be 'banter' (and as a closet gay this was a hardcore relate for me). Honestly if you're queer you should defo read this as it's funny and relatable, and even if you're straight it is still a hilarious book and will hopefully open your eyes a little to the daily struggles of a gay™.

I'm aware that this isn't my most in depth review but I've been behind and I read this book about two weeks ago so its fading from my mind. I just wanted to take a moment to discuss the movie. I haven't seen it yet but the trailer looked really shit not gonna lie? I've seen lots of positive reviews but they're from people who haven't read the book and I honestly don't think the film will be able to keep up the humour and romance as well as the book does. So, if you've read the book and seen the film please let me know how they compare! I'm also really annoyed that Kat Langford is playing Leah, I love Leah so much and Kat is so mehhhhh but oh well, thanks for reading this weird review guys!

#review #beckyalbertalli