Simple Simon (Simon LGBT Series) - Softcover

Poe, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1477624996 ISBN 13: 9781477624999

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2013

Synopsis

Simple Simon, Simon Says, and Simon's Mansion.
Simple Simon (ISBN: 9781477624999). Simon Powell is in rehab. His counselor encourages him to write down his story and to discuss the events of his life during their sessions. Simon recounts a troubled childhood before joining Reverend Moon's cult, a decision that allows him to deny his sexual orientation on the pretext of building a better world. Despite rising to positions of respect and leadership in the group, Simon's despair deepens. When Reverend Moon is indicted on charges of income tax evasion, Simon is enlisted to hire attorneys in Los Angeles. Simon makes new friends among the firm's staff and is introduced to the Hollywood gay scene. Simon meets Lyle, a hustler from the boulevard, and forms a relationship that causes Simon to face the hypocrisy of his beliefs. Simon leaves rehab, more confident of his self-worth, but with much territory to cover in his reconciliation with the past. Simple Simon won the 2016 IndieReader Discovery Awards in the category LGBT fiction, and was a finalist in Clarion ForeWord Reviews 2013 Book of the Year Award Fiction Gay & Lesbian (Adult Fiction).

Simon Says (ISBN: 0615559573). Simon Powell, a gay man, escapes the Unification Church of self-proclaimed messiah, Sun Myung Moon, and eventually becomes a successful Hollywood film distributor. Unable to overcome the emotional turmoil that brought him to Reverend Moon's congregation, Simon's despair leads him down a dark path of drug abuse, plagued by religious hallucinations stemming from his fear that, in betraying his faith, he is doomed to a life of suffering. Simon refuses to learn from his experiences, never challenging those who would use him for money or drugs. He seldom reflects on the causes of his self-loathing. A string of broken relationships threatens Simon's mental and physical health, until the appearance of his lover, Thad, who eventually brings Simon to the realization that love can provide meaning to his life. A profound journey of self-discovery and acceptance, Simon Says offers a probing look into the darker reaches of the human psyche and the renewing power of love. Simon Says won the 2013 International Book Awards in the category Fiction: Gay & Lesbian. Simon's Mansion (ISBN: 9781729078433). Having left rehab, Simon is back where he started in the remote town of Sibley, Arkansas. It is an opportunity to begin again, but can Simon overcome the barriers between himself and his family and confront the legacy of those who lived in the family mansion for generations. Even as Simon makes the decision to study art and embark on a career in art, unresolved threats from his dealings as a motion picture distributor threaten the safety of his lover, Thad. Simon's Mansion is soon to be published.

About this title

From the Author:

Simple Simon - Winner in the 2016 IndieReader Discovery Awards Category LGBT Fiction, and a finalist in the Book of the Year Award 2013 in Fiction Gay & Lesbian (Adult Fiction) Clarion ForeWord Reviews

From the Back Cover:

Simon Powell is in rehab, trying to understand how he ended up in such dire straits. His counselor suggests he write down his story as away to understand his journey from the small town of Sibley, Arkansas, to the heights of leadership in a fringe religious movement. Simon's disillusionment with his faith leads him to seek the affections of male hustlers and the oblivion of cocaine. In the process of writing his story, Simon learns to accept himself as a gay man and to recognize the love and support of others.Simon realizes that he can make a life with his lover, Thad, who followed his own path to recovery, and overcoming heartbreaks, supported Simon at a crucial moment. 

Simple Simon complements the novel, Simon Says (ISBN:0615559573), which recounts Simon's success as a motion picture distributor in Hollywood at a time when Simon is haunted by the faith he surrendered in order to live as a gay man. Simon meets Thad and builds a relationship fraught with jealousies and betrayals, which they strive to overcome. Simon's decline into despair and drug use leads him into dangerous business affairs that threaten his relationship with Thad after leaving rehab. In the upcoming novel, Simon's Mansion, Simon must face his past as Thad's life is put in jeopardy. 

Simple Simon won the 2016 IndieReader Discovery Awards in the category LGBT fiction, and was a finalist in Clarion ForeWord Reviews 2013 Book of the Year Award Fiction Gay & Lesbian (Adult Fiction).

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1477624996
• ISBN 13: 9781477624999
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 399