As Nathan puts it, early on in the book: “Simon’s my best friend, and sometime in the next year or two years, he’s going to die.” The story concludes on the day before the funeral. In a sense the main subject of this novel is the end of Simon’s life. This is one reason why, despite the subject matter, this is a far from depressing book. Mostly he shares his jokes with Simon, but the reader also gets to know what’s going on in Nathan’s head with regard to those he’s observing, and many of these observations are recorded in ways that are bound to raise a smile. Throughout his narration, Nathan maintains a sense of humour. Accordingly, the reader has the opportunity to identify with many different perspectives on what’s happening with Simon. Simon’s older sister Kirsti also features in the story, with Nathan frequently commenting how good it is for his reputation to be seen talking to a school senior. There are ongoing jokes about Nathan’s sister – Fiona the Moaner – and her enthusiasm for drawing. But there is always a shadow cast by Simon’s condition – the thing which makes this story not just another predictable teenage drama.Īlthough this is primarily a story about Simon, as told by Nathan, their family members are significant parts of the story, too. The classroom scenes could be reproduced in any high school in the country, and the breakfast-table argument about who does what chore will be equally familiar. This is an appealing story with realistic, everyday characters. He is honest about all the good and bad points he notices about having a disability, and also about the reality of Simon’s approaching death. Nathan relates their experiences together, and sometimes apart-at school, visiting Simon at home, and in the hospital. But there is something they don’t share: Simon has muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. They share interests in soccer, their pretty classmates, and the local paper’s idiotic headlines.

See ya simon by david hill