Simple Simon

by William Poe

Overview

A fictional autobiography, Simple Simon takes readers from rural Arkansas to life in Reverend Moon's Unification Church in New York, Chicago, Texas, and California. Showing how Simon Powell was alienated by society because of his homosexuality, it also details his experience in drug rehab with Harris, a sympathetic and understanding counselor who persuades him to write his story. Hoping Simon will fully accept himself as a gay man, Harris urges him to embrace his successes and failures and find the gestalt that will allow him to become a complete individual worthy of love. Although reunited with his lover following a bitter break-up, Simon remains filled with self-loathing and believes his life would have been better if only he had been born straight. As he struggles to overcome his addiction and learn from the suffering he endured in Simon Says, William Poe's first novel, he begins to yearn for a fresh start. Why did he drop out of college, forsake the dream of becoming an artist, and live in a communal religious group for ten years, only to leave in despair? An ironic title, Simple Simon is about a life that is anything but simple. As Simon reflects on himself and his journey, he realizes that his search for fatherly love drove his decision to join Reverend Moon's movement. It is when Simon abandons faith in Reverend Moon as a cosmic father that he loses hope and drifts into drug addiction. Looking at the social aspect of Simon's life, Poe's latest novel shows the importance of striving to understand one's place in the community. From a religious aspect, it examines the dynamic between mainstream Christianity and fringe beliefs, while at the same time exploring the opposition of scientific thought to spirituality. Simon closely examines his emotional life and tries to figure out how sexual orientation fits into the fabric of society. The novel also covers how we confront, or fail to deal with, what often seem like insurmountable problems, such as drug abuse. Finally, it reveals what it takes to become a whole person who can carve out a life that finally makes sense.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940148389842
Publisher:	William Poe
Publication date:	09/16/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	741 KB

About the Author

WILLIAM POE was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland. William earned a bachelor’s degree in art at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Simple Simon (ISBN-10: 1477624996) tells the story of Simon Powell, who is in rehab wrestling with loss of faith after ten years of membership in a fringe religious movement, the Unification Church, founded by the self-proclaimed messiah, Sun Myung Moon. Simon Says (ISBN-10: 0615559573) recounts Simon's rise in the Hollywood film industry to his ultimate defeat by substance abuse. In the soon to be published, Simon’s Mansion, unresolved dangers from Simon’s dealings as a motion picture distributor threaten his lover, Thad, and bring new challenge to Simon's aspirations. Simple Simon, Simon Says, and Simon’s Mansion complement each other and may be read in any order; however, the progression listed above is recommended.

Editorial Reviews

Simple Simon's message of reconciliation and hope is truly for anyone who has struggled to resolve the truth they know about themselves with the way others see them. The power of forgiveness and acceptance can resonate with all readers.

Clarion Foreword Reviews - Melissa Wuske

SIMPLE SIMON is a novel about self-discovery. Between the autobiography and his observation about the failings of his faith, Simon discovers the decency within himself and accepts the love of those around him.

InieReader - Ed Bennett

. . . Simon remains an extremely compelling character, and readers will find themselves invested in Simon's fate. He may be self-destructive, but he's always trying to adhere to a moral compass--although one that's been badly damaged by his life experiences. It's an engaging story throughout, and it's rarely obvious where Simon will wind up. A sweeping, unpredictable fictional autobiography.

Kirkus Reviews