Spotlight on: Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
[This story] was incredibly cathartic to write—though it’s equally terrifying to release it into the world. All my books are personal, but this one’s personal in ways that are unnervingly public. So much of Imogen’s internal monologue mirrors my own questioning process. And even though Imogen isn’t a public figure, she’s internalized the same discourse that kept me tied in knots. For me—and for Imogen—even the idea of questioning felt like a step out of bounds. ―Becky Albertalli, Interview, Nerd Daily
What booksellers are saying about Imogen, Obviously
- Imogen’s friends are all queer. As well as her sister. She’s made it her job to be the best ally she can be. Because she’s straight. Right? When Imogen finally goes to visit her best friend Lili at college, she finds herself right in the middle of Lili’s lie: Lili has told her friends that Imogen is her bi ex, but now they’re really good friends. So when Imogen visits, her people pleasing personality has her trying on that identity. And she may find that it fits a lot better than she thought it would.
― Jennifer Jones from Bookmiser, Inc. in Marietta, GA | Buy from Bookmiser
- Tender and hopeful, this is a charming YA about friendship, first queer crushes, and sitting in the discomfort of ambiguity. Imogen is a loving and gentle protagonist who explores the more nebulous parts of coming out as a young adult: how do you know if the flutters in your stomach when you talk to a cute, obviously gay new girl means you’re queer, questioning, or just a really strong ally? (spoiler: you might be queer). What does it even mean to be “queer enough?” (spoiler: it means nothing). Albertalli draws on a lot of her own experiences as a public-facing person whose identity was scrutinized and dissected, and it results in a personal and vulnerable story about growing up and coming out.
―Gaby Iori from Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, NC | Buy from Epilogue Books
- While Imogen is straight, she is definitely an ally. She has a queer little sister and queer best friends. But since one of her friends, Lili, went to college and acquired a circle of queer friends (who all seem amazing on social media), Imogen isn’t sure where she fits anymore. And things get even more confusing when Imogen visits Lili and meets Tessa…who, along with all of Lili’s other friends, thinks Imogen is bi. And now, with possible crush feelings for Tessa, Imogen doesn’t know what to think. More of a questioning story than a coming out story, this will resonate with anyone who might have realized that they’ve been put in the wrong box — by society, by friends and family, by themselves. And Albertalli has a true gift for character’s voices that make them really come off the page.
―Melissa Oates from Fiction Addiction in Greenville, SC | Buy from Fiction Addiction
About Becky Albertalli
Becky Albertalli is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of several novels, including William C. Morris Award winner and National Book Award longlist title Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (now a major motion picture, Love, Simon); The Upside of Unrequited; Leah on the Offbeat; Love, Creekwood; What If It’s Us and Here’s to Us (cowritten with Adam Silvera); Yes No Maybe So (cowritten with Aisha Saeed); and Kate in Waiting. Becky lives with her family in Atlanta, and she’s still not tired of Oreos. You can visit her online at beckyalbertalli.com.
