Synopses & Reviews
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda goes to Italy in Arvin Ahmadi's newest incisive look at identity and what it means to find yourself by running away.
Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew coming out to his Muslim
family would be messy — he just didn't think it would end in an airport
interrogation room. But when faced with a failed relationship, bullies,
and blackmail, running away to Rome is his only option. Right?
Soon, late nights with new friends and dates in the Sistine
Chapel start to feel like second nature... until his old life comes
knocking on his door. Now, Amir has to tell the whole truth and nothing
but the truth to a US Customs officer, or risk losing his hard-won
freedom.
At turns uplifting and devastating,
How It All Blew Up is Arvin Ahmadi's most powerful novel yet, a
celebration of how life's most painful moments can live alongside the
riotous, life-changing joys of discovering who you are.
Review
"A funny and propulsive read, nuanced and full of heart." SLJ (Starred Review)
Review
"Ahmadi's writing is
gripping, taking readers through the myriad emotions a gay Muslim teen
experiences growing up in a country whose government is looking for an
excuse to demonize Muslims." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"A fully realized, deeply sympathetic character....The result is compelling." Booklist
Review
"Arvin Ahmadi has written a
novel that is authentic, hilarious, and heart-wrenching all at once. A
unique point of view combined with riveting storytelling,
How It All Blew Up will grab you from the first page and won't let go." Angie Thomas, #1
New York Times bestselling author of
The Hate U Give and
On the Come Up
Synopsis
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda goes to Italy in Arvin Ahmadi's newest incisive look at identity and what it means to find yourself by running away. Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi always knew coming out to his Muslim family would be messy--he just didn't think it would end in an airport interrogation room. But when faced with a failed relationship, bullies, and blackmail, running away to Rome is his only option. Right?
Soon, late nights with new friends and dates in the Sistine Chapel start to feel like second nature... until his old life comes knocking on his door. Now, Amir has to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth to a US Customs officer, or risk losing his hard-won freedom.
At turns uplifting and devastating, How It All Blew Up is Arvin Ahmadi's most powerful novel yet, a celebration of how life's most painful moments can live alongside the riotous, life-changing joys of discovering who you are.
About the Author
Arvin Ahmadi grew up outside
Washington, DC. He graduated from Columbia University and has worked in
the tech industry. When he's not reading or writing books, he can be
found watching late-night talk show interviews and editing Wikipedia
pages.
Down and Across is his first novel, followed by
Girl Gone Viral.