46 pages • 1 hour read
Robinne LeeThe Idea of You
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Society’s Disregard for Aging Women
Through her portrayal of Solène Marchand, Robinne Lee chronicles a middle-aged woman’s journey of self-discovery. Lee documents how Solène finds a deeper understanding of herself through her relationship with a younger man who supports her passion for art and offers her the opportunity to subvert society’s view of aging women. As Solène and Hayes’s relationship develops, Solène confronts society’s disregard of older women and embraces the power of her own choice.
Lee positions Solène as an advocate for women artists. Passionate about representation for women in the art world, Solène begins the novel a divorcee who still struggles to adapt to single life after the dissolution of her marriage to her unsupportive ex-husband Daniel. Dedicated to her work, Solène chooses to end her marriage and abandon society’s expectations for her as a mother who prioritizes her children over her career. Solène maintains a deep commitment to her work, which forces her to sacrifice time with her daughter Isabelle. By beginning the novel after Solène’s divorce, Lee focuses The Idea of You on the exploration of Solène’s sexual liberation.
While Solène is shown acting against society’s expectation for mothers and middle-aged women, she has also internalized the lack of desirability attributed to older women whom society deems unattractive. In the three years since her divorce, Solène denies herself sex and focuses on her career as a gallery owner. She questions Hayes’s instant attraction to her and struggles throughout the novel with her insecurities regarding their age difference. Her attraction to Hayes, however, is undeniable, as is his to her. Intrigued by Hayes’s attraction to her despite her older age and status as a mother, Solène engages in an adventurous sexual relationship with Hayes that opposes society’s view of older women. While society epitomizes desirability in younger women, Solène embraces her newfound sexuality and actively participates in her and Hayes’s adventurous sex life. Her relationship to her sexuality and identity is not unambivalent, however: She is somewhat suspicious of Hayes’s attraction to her because of her lowered self-esteem, and when revealing pictures of her are published, she is partly embarrassed by her age and appearance.
Although Solène ultimately chooses to end her relationship with Hayes, she does so out of a deep love for Hayes and hope for him to experience life fully without limitations. While society portrays older women as devoid of choice in terms of sexual partners, Solène is desirable. She chooses not to continue her relationship with Hayes, but, rather than being forced to leave him, Solène chooses to make this sacrifice in the empowering final moments of the novel.
Reality Versus Fantasy
As Solène Marchand’s relationship with global popstar Hayes Campbell develops, author Robinne Lee explores the dynamic relationship between reality and fantasy. A beloved member of August Moon, Hayes struggles to live up to the fantasy constructed and maintained by his dedicated fans. His relationship with Solène offers Hayes the opportunity to share his true self with someone he loves and escape the pressures of fame. Despite his hopeful belief in his and Solène’s ability to balance their relationship, his career, and her role as a mother, Hayes faces the reality of his situation when Solène chooses to end their relationship.
The personification of the fantasy of teenage girls worldwide, Hayes exudes a natural sexiness that allures everyone to him. His appeal captures the attention of Solène who struggles to understand Hayes’s attraction to her. Due to these struggles, Solène wavers in her trust of Hayes as the fantasy of him leads her to picture him as a sexual figure incapable of denying himself pleasure. While Hayes attempts repeatedly to comfort Solène and communicate his honest care for her, Solène grapples with her vision of Hayes. Early in their relationship, Hayes attempts to differentiate himself from his celebrity self. When Solène calls him by his full name, Hayes asks her to call him by his first name only as his full name of Hayes Campbell conveys “more like the idea of me” (55). Lee references this in her choice of title. The idea of Hayes refers to the fantasy promoted by Hayes’s management. In reality, Hayes struggles with his choice to pursue fame in a boy band and doubts his qualifications as an artist. While he portrays himself as a confident, exuberant boy, he views himself as a serious artist in search of the freedom to express himself fully.
Lee further explores the conflict between reality and fantasy in her portrayal of Hayes’s struggles to escape his fame. His fans, like Isabelle, view Hayes as a potential love interest, making him a victim of their fantasy. Their obsession with Hayes leads some fans to harass Hayes and Solène. Consumed by the fantasy image of Hayes as promoted by his managers, some fans turn violent and exact psychological terror over Solène, who represents the reality of Hayes’s romantic life. This discrepancy generates conflict for Solène and, ultimately, contributes to her decision to end her relationship with Hayes. Faced with the reality of Hayes’s life as a figure of fantasy, Solène chooses to protect herself and her daughter.
The Complexities of Celebrity
An accomplished actor and writer, Robinne Lee provides a nuanced glimpse into the complexities of celebrity in her novel The Idea of You. Using her inside knowledge of the media and film industry, Lee highlights the highs and lows of life as a celebrity through her portrayal of Hayes Campbell and the members of the boy band August Moon. As she documents Solène Marchand’s growing relationship to Hayes, Lee illustrates the privileges of celebrity and its pitfalls, which threaten to upend Solène and Hayes’s relationship. Through this balanced portrayal, Lee leaves the reader questioning whether fame is worth the potential physical, emotional, and mental danger it produces.
From her initial introduction to August Moon, Solène enters the frenzied world of celebrity, which offers her access to a world of privilege. When Hayes initiates their arrangement at the beginning of the novel, Solène experiences the immense privileges of celebrity, which allows her to follow Hayes around the world as he maintains his immense fame. The couple enjoys amazing vacations and access as they develop their relationship. Lee incorporates various descriptions of the beautiful locations Hayes and Solène visit. Each chapter highlights a different location and documents Hayes and Solène’s adventures there. Through her relationship with Hayes, Solène gains more exposure for her art gallery and quickly learns the power of Hayes’s endorsement as a celebrity figure. Lee provides a realistic depiction of the various privileges enjoyed by celebrity figures. However, Solène soon learns that the privileges of celebrity come at a cost.
As Solène and Hayes’s relationship grows more serious, Solène observes the physical danger Hayes’s celebrity sparks. Hordes of fans follow the band throughout the world and place Solène in situations that inspire real terror and fear for her safety. Mentally, Solène faces the invasion of privacy that exposes one of the couple’s most intimate moments and triggers relentless teasing for Isabelle, an eighth grader. Lee emphasizes the impact this obsession with celebrity has on one’s mental health as she describes Solène’s growing anxiety over receiving another harassing package from deranged fans. Lee illustrates Solène’s sudden loss of weight and deep paranoia, which leave her terrified to express her love for Hayes openly. Emotionally, Solène grows unnerved as she reads numerous comments deriding her appearance and age. Lee solidifies the connection between these comments and Solène’s struggles with her insecurities when she details Solène’s fight to maintain her relationship with Hayes despite the societal judgment of their relationship. Lee depicts social media’s use to drive celebrity by connecting with fans and increasing exposure, as well the erosion of privacy and its use to harass celebrity figures and their loved ones. Through her treatment of celebrity, Lee highlights the dangers social media poses in its universal nature and the perpetuation of harassment into victim’s private spaces.
