Simon Spier (Jacques)

The novella predominantly focuses on newly out-of-the-closet, 18-year-old Simon Spier, an emotional teen who overthinks the nuances of his newly long-distance relationship with beau of two years, Bram. After high school, Simon decides to attend university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and none of his high school crew are there with him. He is often wrapped up in his own world, so much so that it takes him several months to realize that his college roommate is also homosexual (41). In addition to reading deeply into his emails with Blue and conversing with him regularly to hash out their difficulties, Simon relies heavily on his high school best friend, Leah, to guide him as he navigates lonely life in Philly. Throughout the school year, Simon slowly warms up to his new surroundings and gets to know other students in an effort to feel like he is living the real...