Imogen, Obviously Summary, Characters and Themes

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli is a heartfelt and introspective coming-of-age novel by Becky Albertalli that explores the messy, beautiful complexity of identity, queerness, and self-discovery. 

It follows Imogen Scott, a high school senior who has always been a loud and proud ally to her queer friends—so much so that she’s become the go-to straight girl in every queer space. But during a visit to her best friend Lili’s college, a small lie unravels her certainty about herself. Told with humor, tenderness, and emotional insight, Albertalli’s novel captures the vulnerability of questioning who you are and the joy of finding a space where you finally fit.

Summary

Imogen Scott, a straight-identifying high school senior and fierce ally, is spending spring break visiting her best friend Lili at Blackwell College. She’s tagging along with her younger sister Edith and a couple of close friends. 

Lili, who recently came out and is thriving in a close-knit, proudly queer friend group, seems like she’s transformed into her best self. But there’s a hitch—Lili has told her new friends that she and Imogen used to date.

Surprised but not angry, Imogen agrees to go along with the lie. It seems harmless enough, especially since she wants to support Lili and make a good impression. But the pretense quickly starts to blur lines. 

Immersed in Lili’s queer-friendly world, surrounded by thoughtful, open-hearted friends like Mika, Declan, Kayla, and particularly Tessa, Imogen starts to reflect on her own identity in a way she never has before.

Pretending to be bi doesn’t feel as far-fetched as she thought it would. 

In fact, it starts to make sense. Her interactions with Tessa—who is effortlessly confident and flirty—become charged with an unexpected chemistry. Imogen finds herself drawn to Tessa in ways that don’t feel strictly friendly, but she’s too unsure of herself to label it.

As the weekend goes on, the environment of queer acceptance causes Imogen to revisit past assumptions. 

Has she always been straight? 

Or has she simply never questioned it because it felt easier not to? 

She remembers moments with her friend Gretchen, who once accused her of being uncomfortable when Gretchen came out. That memory haunts her—was she dismissive or closed off without even realizing it?

Meanwhile, the lie begins to wear thin. Tessa clearly likes Imogen, but she hesitates—partly because of the whole “ex of my friend” thing. At the same time, Imogen struggles to reconcile her own feelings with the performance she’s putting on. The performance, ironically, is making her feel more real than ever. But it’s also emotionally exhausting.

Things come to a head when Gretchen makes a surprise appearance. Old wounds resurface, and the two have a raw but healing conversation. Imogen finally voices her confusion, and Gretchen validates that questioning her sexuality doesn’t make her any less real. 

That conversation becomes a turning point. Later, in a quiet, affirming moment, Imogen admits to herself: she’s not straight. The weight of pretending—for others and herself—begins to lift.

Eventually, Lili comes clean to her friends about the lie, taking responsibility. The group, while surprised, is kind and forgiving. Importantly, Lili also apologizes to Imogen for putting her in a difficult position. It’s an act of genuine growth and love between friends.

With the truth out and the pressure eased, Imogen and Tessa finally allow themselves to be honest with each other. They share a kiss—tentative, sweet, and electric with possibility. 

It’s not just a romantic climax but a symbolic moment: for the first time, Imogen isn’t supporting queerness from the sidelines. She’s living it.

The novel closes with Imogen returning home, changed. She doesn’t have everything figured out, and she’s still nervous about the future. But now, she’s excited too. She’s found a part of herself that she didn’t know was missing, and she’s starting a journey toward authenticity—with herself, her relationships, and her identity.

Characters

Imogen Scott

Imogen, the protagonist of the novel, begins as a high school senior who identifies as straight. She embarks on a journey of self-discovery when she visits her best friend Lili at college, where the dynamics of queer friendships challenge her previous understanding of herself.

Imogen is an observant, warm, and supportive friend, but she’s also uncertain and unsure of her own identity. Initially, Imogen goes along with Lili’s lie about their past romantic relationship, which sparks a series of reflections and moments of emotional turmoil as she navigates her own feelings.

Her growing attraction to Tessa and the unfolding emotional connection push her toward questioning her sexuality. Throughout the novel, Imogen is not just a passive observer, but a character who gradually acknowledges her own queerness, ultimately coming to terms with her fluid identity and the joy of self-discovery.

Tessa

Tessa is a charismatic and confident member of Lili’s queer friend group. She is flirtatious, playful, and unafraid to be herself, often drawing attention from those around her.

Her interactions with Imogen shift from friendly banter to more intimate moments, which makes Imogen begin to question her feelings for her. Tessa’s flirtation seems to be a catalyst for Imogen’s emotional development, pushing her to confront her attraction to women.

Tessa, while open about her feelings, is also cautious about respecting the boundaries within the group, especially concerning Lili’s lie. Despite this, her growing affection for Imogen is undeniable, and she becomes a key figure in Imogen’s journey towards understanding her own sexual orientation.

Tessa represents an embodiment of queerness that is unapologetic, and she serves as both a mirror and an anchor for Imogen as she discovers her true self.

Lili

Lili, Imogen’s best friend, plays a crucial role in both the external plot and the internal development of Imogen. Initially, Lili is portrayed as someone who has found her place in a queer college environment, surrounded by a group of supportive friends.

However, Lili’s decision to fabricate a past romance with Imogen complicates her character. While she is well-meaning in her desire to fit in and find a place within the queer community, her lie becomes a source of conflict.

Lili is presented as imperfect, but her vulnerability and growth are also evident as she eventually comes clean to her friends about the deception. Her apology to Imogen allows the two to move forward in their friendship, with Lili stepping aside to give Imogen space to explore her identity.

Lili serves as a reminder of the complexities of self-representation and belonging, especially in queer spaces.

Gretchen

Gretchen, Imogen’s long-time friend, plays a significant role in the earlier chapters of the novel, offering insight into Imogen’s past. She has a more direct and honest approach to her identity, contrasting with Imogen’s hesitations.

However, their relationship is tested when Imogen’s confusion about her own sexuality strains their bond. Gretchen’s visit to Blackwell and their subsequent confrontation help Imogen realize that questioning her sexuality doesn’t invalidate her past or her friendship with Gretchen.

Gretchen’s role highlights the importance of honest communication and acceptance in friendships, and while she initially feels hurt by Imogen’s distance, she is ultimately supportive. She embodies the importance of challenging assumptions and embracing personal growth, especially within the context of queer identities.

Edith

Edith, Imogen’s sister, is a more supportive figure in the story, providing a grounding presence for Imogen. While Edith doesn’t play as prominent a role as some of the other characters, she is a symbol of familial love and understanding.

Her support contrasts with the more complex relationships Imogen has with her friends, especially in the context of Imogen’s questioning. Edith serves as a safe, non-judgmental space for Imogen, representing the unwavering support that is sometimes needed for someone navigating their identity.

Themes

The Complexities of Queer Identity and Self-Discovery

Imogen, Obviously deals with the nuanced journey of self-discovery, particularly in relation to one’s sexual identity. Imogen starts off by identifying as straight, yet as she spends time in a queer-friendly space, she is forced to confront her assumptions about herself.

The narrative reveals how identity can often be more fluid than rigid labels suggest. Imogen’s internal struggle to fit herself into preconceived boxes, such as being straight or bi, challenges the notion that labels must define one’s identity.

As the story progresses, she gradually recognizes that her attraction to women, especially Tessa, is not something she had previously acknowledged or explored. This emphasizes the process of self-realization that many people in the LGBTQ+ community go through.

The novel poignantly addresses how sexual identity is often a journey rather than a fixed state, and how personal growth can occur when individuals are allowed the freedom to question and redefine themselves.

The Impact of Performative Queerness on Authenticity and Belonging

Another significant theme explored in the book is the tension between performative queerness and authentic self-expression. Imogen initially agrees to pretend to be bisexual in order to support her friend Lili, who has fabricated a story about their past relationship.

However, as she spends more time with Lili’s queer friends, she begins to feel the dissonance between this “performative” identity and her true feelings. This theme reveals how queerness, much like any other identity, can be subject to external expectations and social pressures.

The tension between performing a role for the sake of others and pursuing one’s authentic identity is a powerful exploration of how marginalized communities navigate their self-expression in spaces that may not always welcome them fully.

Imogen’s eventual realization that queerness, for her, is not a label she has to wear for anyone else’s benefit is a turning point, underscoring the novel’s emphasis on finding an identity that feels true to oneself rather than one that fits a specific mold.

The Role of Chosen Family in Queer Communities

A key theme in Imogen, Obviously is the concept of chosen family within queer communities. As Imogen immerses herself in Lili’s circle of queer friends, she is introduced to a different kind of intimacy, one that is based not on biological ties but on shared experiences and mutual support.

This group of friends is not just a social network; it’s a space where Imogen feels accepted for who she is, where she doesn’t have to conform to expectations about her identity. The novel portrays chosen families as essential for queer people, especially those who may not have the same level of acceptance from their biological families.

In contrast to her small-town environment, which feels stifling and limiting, the queer college community offers Imogen an opportunity to connect deeply with others who understand and embrace her in a way her previous circles did not.

Through this experience, Imogen comes to realize that love, acceptance, and family are not limited to blood relations, and that true belonging often arises from the connections we choose to make.

The Fluidity of Labels and the Pressure to Define Oneself

Throughout the novel, there is an ongoing exploration of the fluidity of labels and the pressure to define oneself in a binary world. Imogen’s hesitation to label her sexual identity reflects a larger societal pressure to categorize people into neat categories, especially in the context of sexual orientation.

However, the novel challenges this notion by illustrating how labels can sometimes restrict rather than empower individuals. Imogen’s journey is not about fixing herself into a specific category but about allowing herself the space to explore and understand her feelings without rushing to define them.

This theme speaks to the broader LGBTQ+ experience, where individuals often feel pressure from others (and themselves) to come out with definitive labels. In reality, many people experience their sexuality and gender identity as fluid and evolving.

The book advocates for a more inclusive approach that allows for self-exploration and a refusal to be confined by rigid expectations.

The Significance of Safe, Affirming Spaces in Personal Growth

The novel also emphasizes the importance of safe, affirming spaces in the process of personal growth, particularly for individuals who are questioning their identity. Imogen’s time at Blackwell College, surrounded by a supportive and inclusive group of queer friends, allows her to explore her feelings in a way that would not have been possible in her more conservative, small-town life.

The college environment serves as a catalyst for her self-discovery, demonstrating how important it is for individuals to be in environments where they can express themselves without fear of judgment or repression.

The contrast between Imogen’s experiences at Blackwell and her earlier life highlights how the right space—one that validates and celebrates queerness—can foster personal evolution and emotional honesty.

This theme underscores the broader social need for LGBTQ+ individuals to have access to environments where they can explore and express their identities freely, which is crucial for their mental and emotional well-being.