More Happy Than Not is Adam Silvera’s young adult novel highlighting the challenges experienced by the queer group. The book reflects Silvera’s own experiences as a gay boy. The protagonist is a young boy called Aaron Soto living in a small apartment in the Bronx, New York City. The young adult novel inspires youngsters who feel trapped in the wrong bodies. Aaron has a girlfriend called Genevieve but feels nothing romantic towards her. The conventional society overlooks queer individuals and Aaron doesn’t want to contradict the norms.
Aaron is tired of living a lie. Therefore, when Genevieve goes to summer camp, he starts seducing Thomas covertly. Thomas is new to the Bronx but Aaron believes he (Aaron) is gay. During one of their many plays, Aaron comes out clearly and admits to Thomas that he is gay. The revelation brings trouble because Thomas rejects his advances. Aaron feels rejected and dejected and seeks a leteo procedure to erase undesirable memories. Young adults struggle to accept their sexuality when they find out that they are not created as their straight friends.
The troubles faced by the main character in this book mirror the challenges Silvera endured while growing up as a gay surrounded by straight friends. Bullying and ridicule characterize the lives of young people who come out as gays. However, time heals them because eventually, they come to realize that they are not alone in the category of gays. Self-discovery is an important value for young people who doubts their sexuality.
