How It All Blew Up

Arvin Ahmadi

Sept 2020 · Sold by Penguin

About this eBook

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.

Ratings and reviews

This was a great story. It was a cute and romantic read with a serious message and a heartwarming ending. I found Amir really endearing, and I loved the realistic relationship between him and his sister Soraya. It was nice to read a story about coming out without the pivotal scene of the novel being the coming out scene between the main character and their family. I liked how Ahmadi didn't even explicitly write the scenes where Amir was outed or spoke with his family about being gay, because those scenes often turn cheesy and unrealistic very quickly. There was one part of the novel I wasn't a huge fan of, and that was the hookup scene between Giovanni and Amir. It felt forced, and I'm not a fan of large age gaps, even if it technically is legal in this case (unlike another famous coming of age novel that takes place in Italy). Overall, I did enjoy this novel, and I plan to read more from Ahmadi.

Authentic teen voice From the very first line of the book, the sarcastic and humorous voice of the main character caught my attention: "First, let me get one thing straight: I'm not a terrorist. I'm gay." The juxtaposition of choosing the words straight and gay here is clever. Amir is struggling with his own identity, his parents' feelings about homosexuality, as well as bullying from peers. His story, told in a fun and innovative format, is emotional, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes full of humor. The writing is some of the best I've found in young adult fiction and I will be seeking out more books by this author. The author knows how to show the anxiety facing not only gay men, but also those facing racism for their culture, even if, like Amir, individuals were born and raised in the United States. I also loved getting to travel to Italy and get a taste of the culture, landmarks, and food. This book made me crave pasta and gelato. I will be recommending this book.

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.