The Journey of Self Discovery
March 23, 2022 2022-03-25 11:40The Journey of Self Discovery
A Review on Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a young adult romance book written by Becky Albertalli, which was adapted into a film in 2018 by the name of Love, Simon. The book is about a journey of self-acceptance and breaking society’s defaults on sexuality and race.
The main character, Simon Pier, is a high schooler with a big secret: he is gay, and nobody knows. Well, almost nobody except for the anonymous Blue, with whom he exchanges emails. Unfortunately, Simon left his email open on a library computer. His classmate Martin read his emails and blackmails Simon into helping him get a girl. His secret and Blue’s identity are in jeopardy of being exposed.
The book starts from Simon’s point of view and throughout the whole book. His self-discovery journey to who he is shows throughout the story. Simon knows he is gay, yet society does not take it well –like his community– which brings back the current issue of homophobia in society.
Albertalli included in the novel the ongoing problem of society: discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. Discrimination is not unheard of as it happens in communities and families.
In the book, during one of Simon and Blue’s email conversations, a statement was made by Simon on society’s norm of assuming everybody’s sexuality. Some people have their mind set on classifying everyone as straight. Because being anything other than heterosexual does not fit in the same class, prejudice falls on LGBTQ+ members, which brings fear and the need to hide their true selves.
When it comes to discrimination, it is an umbrella with many sub-groups. Under the umbrella is racism, which similar to sexuality, people of different backgrounds are treated differently.
Simon lives in Georgia and takes a bus, like his friend Abby. However, Abby must wait longer than him, which brings the idea that an unjust transportation system is taking place because of race. Unwilling to let go of the issue, the mention of her situation is enough for readers to catch that in the community, segregation lingers.
Author Albertalli included important topics for young adults readers who are discovering themselves. Teenagers need to understand that being judged and bullied for their sexuality and race is not justified. Everyone deserves to be treated respectfully and accepted for who they are.
Self-discovery can be a journey of confusion and a time where one can learn more about themselves and break society’s flawed view. Readers can connect with the book’s complex characters because of how the fictional characters are like real-life high schoolers. The book is available in Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and online.
