Travelling through time simile
Joe uses a simile to describe what it is like talking to Beck: "Talking to you is like traveling through time." Through this quote, we get a sense of how infatuated and obsessed he is with Beck, and how he almost feels transported to a different time when he is talking to her.
Charlotte's Web metaphor
Joe often alludes to works of literature in his descriptions. Here, he metaphorically describes Beck as the novel Charlotte's Web: "You blush. You are Charlotte's Web and I could love you." This reveals Joe's love of literature, which isn't surprising considering he works in a book shop. This description is also significant because Charlotte's Web is a children's novel, meaning that he is suggesting Beck is innocent.
Standing outside of self simile
Joe uses a simile to describe how it feels when he becomes violent: “When I get nasty like that, it’s like I’m standing outside of myself and I know I’m being terrible and irrational but there’s nothing I can do about it.” He uses this simile to describe how he doesn't feel in control of his actions.
Greeting card simile
Joe tells Beck how much he loves her, and says afterward: "I have to laugh because I sound like a greeting card but I deserve this, you, joy.” Here, he uses a simile to compare what he is saying to what might be found in a greeting card, to suggest that what he is saying is quite lovey-dovey.
