Review of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
To be published by St. Martin’s Press on September 10, 2013
Source: e-ARC from the publisher for review. Please see my full FTC disclosure on right sidebar.
Plot Summary for Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan . . . But for Cath, being a fan is her life — and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere. Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to. Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words . . . And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone. For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?
Review of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
I adored this book. It’s a quirky, touching story and I think a lot of book lovers will really connect with Cath and her struggle to find her own voice and place in the world.
Cath and Wren are not only identical twins, they’ve also had to band together survive their mother’s abandonment and cope with their father’s manic depression.
I’ve never actually read any fanfic, but I can completely empathize with the desire to keep living in a fictional world that you adore, to keep imagining stories for beloved characters that seem almost like real people. At the same time, it seemed to me that fanfic was used as a metaphor for Cath’s conflict. She can choose to stay in the safe, familiar cocoon of Simon Snow’s imaginary world, or she can break out and experience the real world, which is a far scarier place, and begin to write her own original story.
Part of Cath’s inching toward independence is meeting new people. Given her mother’s abandonment and the fact that she always had Wren as a security blanket, Cath is definitely not the friendliest, most trusting person. Her roommate, Reagan, is hilariously snarky, and I loved the way that I thought Fangirl used the relationship between Reagan and Cath to mirror the uneasy relationship between Simon and his roommate Baz. It was fun to watch these pairs of roommates figure each other out.
I also loved the romance. I don’t want to say too much, because part of the pleasure of the romance in this book is that you’re not really sure who (if anyone) Cath is going to pair up with. Let’s just say that some of the characters really surprised me. And that I swear that there was a blizzard scene in Fangirl that reminded me of a scene that took place in These Happy Golden Years by Laura Ingalls Wilder. And am I the last person to figure out that Simon Baz is actually a comic book character? I think I could read this book three more times and still find new details I hadn’t noticed…..
Reading Fangirl was a complete pleasure. I really related to Cath and I felt the same way about her as she felt about Simon Snow — I really didn’t want her story to end!
If i wrote fanfic I would write about…any of the series i am in love with…The Infernal Devices series, The Divergent Series, The Hunger Games series or The Harry Potter Series! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
All great choices!
I would write my fanfic about the Vampire Academy… I mean… Dimitri 😀
Bahaha — I would read that 🙂
If I wrote fanfic it would be in Tamora Pierce's Tortall universe.
I haven't read those! Looking them up…
Agh, I've been so excited for this one, and every review just makes me more excited! I've heard interesting things about the romance, so I'm excited to see Rainbow's take on it. Plus, it's different and interesting to have a shy main character who writes fanfiction. Not your typical protagonists. AND set at a college. All things I love.
I *barely* remember the blizzard scene in These Happy Golden Years that you mentioned! It's been ages since I've read those books, but I remember that scene.
If I wrote fanfiction, well. . . since I used to, I can say that when I did I wrote Chronicles of Narnia fanfiction. Favorite childhood book translated into making my own stories for the world of Narnia.
Oooh, Narnia. Like you, I probably would have written about a favorite childhood series. I probably would have written horrendous Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson fanfic. Or Little Women fanfic…
Some time ago I discovered fanfics about people who belong to the music world and found out that I really like them. So, if I had to write a fanfic myself, it probably would be about Tarja Turunen (I'm 99% sure you don't know her ._.), an amazing finnish soprano whose genre is symphonic metal/rock and who's one of my biggest idols ever.
Thank you very much for the giveaway! x
Alice — thanks for pointing out that there is fanfic based on other stuff besides books. I changed my question so that you guys can write about ANYTHING!
I'm a fanfic writer but I wrote stories in anime fandom but if I ever write a fanfic about a book/series then I'd definitely choose the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter. I could think up tons of different plots with a teenage spy girl as the main character. 😉
How cool. So I'm guessing you drew and wrote your fanfic? I can't draw so could never do anime, but I could write some Hale and Cat fanfic based on The Heist Society 🙂
I did not notice Cath/Reagan's relationship mirroring Simon/Baz's-I like that comparison and it does make me want to give this book another read (maybe a physical copy instead of e though) to see what else pops out at me.
Now have you read Eleanor and Park? Because I do think that one was better though it is hard to rank such excellence.
I have written fanfiction! It was a couple of chapters for the musical Wicked because I adore Galinda so much and wanted to give her more of a backstory.
Loved Wicked!!! I tried the book, but I thought the show was better.
Probably Sydney/Adrian from the Bloodlines series. :3
Okay, I could give that a try 🙂
I've actually written fanfic on a forum before :p It was about me in the time of the Marauders, so Harry Potter is the answer!
Ooh, the Harry Potter Marauders? That sounds so fun!
I have read a lot of Twilight fanfiction so I would say that but just because those fanfics have become so loosely based on the book!
Very loosely 😉
Harry Potter probably hehe 🙂 Or if my imagination is not that good, something with Dimitri and Rose, but after the series finished 😉
Ah, Dimitri and Rose….
It would probably be a Percy Jackson fanfic haha. Or perhaps Harry Potter. There's just so much material to work with in those series because there are so many minor characters and such! It would be fun writing the backstories of the Hogwarts professors, for example 🙂
AND OMG FANGIRL! I'm so looking forward to that book! Although I'm international, so I wouldn't be able to win Fangirl anyway haha. I'll probably end up buying it myself, because it sounds incredible!
So sorry about the international thing. I am trying to stick to a giveaways budget and TBD is KILLING me with these $18-20 hardcovers. And I was going to offer a PB of either Attachments or Eleanor and Park, but none of those were available in paperback 🙁
Right now Fangirl is cheaper on the UK site. http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Fangirl-Rainbow-Rowell/9781250030955
Aww there's no need to apologise! It's amazing that you're doing weekly giveaways anyway 🙂 And I know right! All the TBD prices have gone up for some reason. Just when we have a ton of new releases as well!
I would write firefly fanfic.
I need to watch that show….
I would have fun writing fanfic about anything Joss Whedon has done (Firefly, Buffy, Dollhouse). I'm also a big fan of X-Men characters Kitty Pryde and Emma Frost. And I'd get a feminist to do the comic art — no flotation devices on MY super-heroines!
I could write some Buffy fanfic. Love Spike…..
I used to write gilmore girls fanfic. I like the idea of writing fan fiction from a tv show because there are so many different plot lines you can choose to start your story from.
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Michelle @ Book Briefs
That's so great!!!
I would probably write Shadow and Bone or Siege and Storm fanfiction.
I would read that!
I would probably write from Beth Revis' Across the Universe Series. Also, from the Seven Realm's Series by Cinda Williams Chima. I can't wait to read Fangirl…sounds so good!!
Ooh, great choices!
If I was going to do it, I don't think it would be based on specific books but on concepts like supernaturals and relationships with them.
I can't handle the commitment if fanfic but after I saw Pacific Rim I thought "Man, Charlie Hunnam and Garrett Hedlund would make hot on screen brothers." So I started a head space fan fic for the next TRON movie.
Kind of a tough one but I think I'd be inclined to try the comedies of Shakespeare. What happened after Kate and Petruchio's wedding? Did they have kids? What kind of parents were they? It might be entertaining.
uh..um… I may have already written some fanfic… LOL LOL I'LL NEVER TELL!!
thanks for the giveaway!!
I have no clue..I'd probably pick all the character traits I like and come up with something new. But that wouldn't be fan fic ;p
I would write fanfic a about Harry Potter or the Gilmore Girls. Love both of those and I could get lost in those worlds any day. 🙂
I would write a Harry Potter fanfic about Marauders or about one of Kristin Cashore´s characters or about Throne of Glass! 🙂
I know this is a pretty lame answer but I write Fanfic about Twilight. I mean, why not? Everyone else has. Not to mention I have too much fun making the characters suffer. (insert evil laugh here) 🙂
Harry Potter or the Lumatere Chronicles. Thanks for the giveaway =)
I actually already wrote Loki fanfiction but I didn't share it on any site. That's just for me cause it's rather dirty. hehe
I'd base it on either Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. 🙂
I literally just thought about this recently because I loved a book so much that I wanted to write fan fic, but I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS… 🙁 So lets go with Unravel Me because the love triangle drives me nuts so I can write my fanfic and just… sort it out. Also… I wrote the end to game of thrones in my head so that if GRRM doesn't make it until the end of the series, I can just go on my way with my own ending.
Wow I've never really considered writing fanfiction BUT If i did *now I might* I would DEFINITELY write Maximum Ride fanfiction XP I Just <33 the whole flock and some them need some good stories!
Great FF question Jen and <3 the Fangirl review 🙂 I SO need to read this now, the dynamics between the sisters and the roommate seem interesting. Now I'm dying to see know who Cath will end up with.
-Hope you have a great weekend Jen much <33
Lisseth @ Read-A-holicZ
Very excited about this book! I've read a little fanfic, it's not for me. It's well, it's not for me. I suppose I might write Supernatural fanfic (which exists with a rabid fanbase). I'd like to write in some women who don't die… love that show, but geez. The only women who survive are demons and even then.
Probably Howl's Moving Castle, Harry Potter or Supernatural! So much love for those. <3
Fan fiction…hmmm…I think I would go with putting a YA spin on Stephanie Plum series 🙂 or maybe like a prequel to that haha
It'd probably be about any of my favorite anime/manga series.
I've never read fanfiction either but I do rewrite a lot of stories in my head lol
I'm really looking forward to reading this one!
Beautiful Creatures!!
Thank you:))
I`m in love with Spartacus. Maybe a little something along the lines of the demonica series? Idrk. Lol i`m not really into fanific.
A couple of years back I was so into True Blood/The Southern Vampire Mysteries, I read a couple fanfics based on the show/books. Too funny.
Probably about The Circle Trilogy. It's a series that I love and that stayed on my min, even if I read it a year ago.
If I wrote about fanfic it would probably be based on one of the new adult series I've recently read such as avoiding commitment series,bc the thought of Lexi ended up with jack is horrifying
I would write Fan Fic based on the material from the old tv show angel. I loved this show and if I based it off that material I would write it more about Angel's sexy, powerful side, him meeting someone, wanting her, dominating her, searching for a way to be with her. I would not focus on the private detective part of the series, more on the dark, sexy side it could be because of him being a vampire with a soul. I never thought about this until right now, hmmm maybe I will write this idea down lol Thanks for the giveaway
I don't really adore a particular set of characters, a television show, movie, book series. I'm a prolific reader and when you read anywhere between 400-600 books in a year there are a lot of characters, book, and series you fall in love with.
I love reading fan fic though. It's always great to see characters doing what you would've liked them to do or having new adventures.
OH! Twins and fanfic. Sounds like a winner to me.
Hmmm maybe The Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris
I think it would be something in Delilah S. Dawson's Blud series or Bec McMaster's London Steampunk series. These two authors have created worlds that become obsessive for me with every new book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I recently wrote something that resembles a fanfic and from that i can deduce that it would probably be based on things i don't like or to make fun a YA writing which i do like but sometimes its too cliche:)
this the link to something i wrote it very weird but i hope you read it:)-
http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/345622-the-most-epic-ya-story-evaaaaaa
um… Mediator series by Meg Cabot
I would probably write a continuation for Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy, I couldn't get enough. 🙂
I already write fanfiction but if I were to start writing it about books/series… I'd say Divergent, Splintered, Heroes of Olympus, Seven Realms… so many!!
If I wrote fanfics it either be about The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer or The Summer by Jenny Han,
harry potter for sure! there are just so many amazing side characters to delve into!
I would wore fan fiction for The Hunger Games, there are so many different directions you could take all the characters!! Even though i'm bit to great at fan fiction writing! 😉
Morgan @Remembered Deservedly
I'd probably write fanfiction of On the Island. I love the concept of being stranded on an island with a near stranger.
Hmmm Probably Vampire Academy fanfiction! LOL So I can end up with Adrian 😉 This looks like a really cute story! My friend loves fanfiction! She is always trying to get me to read it but I prefer the real thing. I did used to read some Passions fanfic way back in the day when the soap was on! LOL
If I was any good at writing then I would love to write fanfics about All Our Yesterdays or maybe Percy Jackson. I absolutely love the stories and all of the characters!
Lovely review! And I think it speaks volumes to the relatability of this book that you still emphasized with Cath and were interested in her struggles, despite not ever having been a part of the fan fiction scene yourself. Every review I read about this book just makes me more and more anxious to finally have the opportunity to read it myself.
Thanks for the giveaway, Jen! I actually have dabbled in writing fan fiction, so my answer would be what I enjoyed writing the most: Harry Potter, of course. HP fan fiction has always been the best, and I don't imagine any other community surpassing it.
You and I are of one mind on this book, Jen1 It's definitely in my top 5 reads of the year. This part of your review is lovely:
"it seemed to me that fanfic was used as a metaphor for Cath's conflict. She can choose to stay in the safe, familiar cocoon of Simon Snow's imaginary world, or she can break out and experience the real world, which is a far scarier place, and begin to write her own original story."
Yes. You summed it up beautifully. I love the surprises in this book as well. And I don't think there is one character I didn't enjoy reading, even the douchey ones:) Reagan was probably my favorite:) And did you read her short acknowledgements? LOVE. Rainbow Rowell is so awesome:)
I have a finished coy of this so I'm not entering the g-away, but whoever wins your copy is one lucky person!
If I wrote fanfic it would be based on Harry Potter or This Lullaby…
I'm thinking Jane Austen's work or HARRY POTTER.
I would write it based on Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" with Claire and Jamie.
If I were to write fanfic, I'd probably base it on Stephen Kings books. I grew up reading his books and would love to be able to creep out my potentials readers. 😀
I would write fanfic of InuYasha, Black Butler, Buffy… and I would also create more stories in the worlds of The Hunger Games and Eleanor & Park and some other books that I ended up reading and miss the characters a lot.
Thanks so much for the giveaway =]
I love fanfic, and the reason I found out about fanfic is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. One of my all time favorite shows and I would definitely write a Buffy fanfic.
I think I would use the Dark-Hunter world. It's such a vast world with so many different species and cultures. I would definitely rewrite one of my favorite characters from the beginning of the series who had a sour hand in life and became a villain.
I totally read fanfiction and I am pretty sure I have admitted this on you site many, many times before. If I had any writing talent I would write fic about BBC Sherlock, Veronica Mars, Doctor Who and Fringe. I am a big ridiculous fan girl for all those shows and their wonderful fan fiction!
When I read your review of this book I squealed. How perfect! Thanks for the giveaway!
I actually used to write fanfiction a looong time ago when I was obsessed with the tv show Beyblade haha! I think if I wrote again now I'd definitely would want to write about Harry Potter. There were some stories about that world that were really really good!
I would totally write Lux, Covenant, The Tiger's Curse Saga, and The Mortal Instruments fanfic!
I'm not sure actually… I would never write fanfic because my writing is terrible, so I don't know. And I've never read fanfic either so I really just have no idea.
I actually had to write a short story for my English class. I made it a fanfiction about the show Grey's Anatomy and gave it to my friend because we both love the show.
Hmmm…probably fanfic from Unearthly by Cynthia Hand or good ole Harry Potter 🙂
I, uh, may or may not have already written some fanfiction for anime I watch. I like to throw the characters into new worlds and see what happens. Sometimes I write little adventures in their own world.
If I could write fanfiction for a TV series it would be Teen Wolf and if I'm gonna do it for a book it would probably be Vampire Academy(well mostly for Adrian!). 😀
And I thought Eleanor and Park was out in PB. Can't wait to read a Rainbow Rowell book!
Lovely review BTW, Jen! 🙂
If I ever do write fanfic, I would base mine on Pure by Julianna Baggot. 🙂
Julianna Baggott I mean. Whoops!
I would most likely write a Persuasion fanfiction, but for a YA novel, it would probably be Harry Potter. Lol. 😀
It would be Dustland series by Moira Young. I didn't want to leave that world.
"Let's just say that I never thought Draco and Harry's hatred for one another could develop into something different." <– Really? I saw slasher – I think that was what it's called – fic everywhere when HP hadn't all come out yet. That was one of the more popular pairings. Ha, at least it wasn't like Moaning Myrtle and the Giant Squid.
"Cath is definitely not the friendliest, most trusting person. Her roommate, Reagan, is hilariously snarky, and I loved the way that I thought Fangirl used the relationship between Reagan and Cath to mirror the uneasy relationship between Simon and his roommate Baz" <– Oooh, I skipped over the fic so I never got to see that aspect. Interesting. Maybe when my copy arrives, I should read it more in depth. I do agree with you about the fanfic as a metaphor and I lovedlovedloved how well done that character growth came about.
"part of the pleasure of the romance in this book is that you're not really sure who (if anyone) Cath is going to pair up with. " <– Really :O? I must disagreeeee. But yes! The Blizzard scene. I don't know that other book, but oooh romantic interest and Cath. Loved it.
SIMON BAZ IS A SUPERHERO? WHAT. And he's Lebanese-American? How did I not know this? (You're not the last person then, Jen.). Also, wow, this book really is nerd heaven…
When I did, years ago, it was (loosely) based on the animes, *Bakuten Shoot Beyblade* and *Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon*, and was a crossover. Since, BB is my fiance's favorite anime, and BSSM is my favorite anime, I felt it had to be done. And, of course, there were tons of weird pairings out of that! Thankfully, I grew out of that stage.
Somthing based on Anne of Green Gables….. or maybe Harry Potter…
I would defintely write fan fic based on Percy Jackson and make everyone die in the end so it's a bit like Les Mis at the same time, lol.
Great review, Jen! <33
Oooh, Fangirl! So excited for this one! I just read Eleanor & Park a few weeks ago and loved it. Attachments is up next. 🙂
If I were to write fanfic it would probably be for Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series. I might just make the vamp aspect secondary… it's the characters I love so much. 🙂
I'm so into K-pop so.. If I write fanfic, maybe I'm going to write about EXO-M member, Kris. I don't know why, but this guy really leaves strong impression to me. In my story, he will be a normal ordinary guy but with that handsome and cute face. Haha.. Ah imagination…
Probably one of my favorite series, Night Huntress, Lux, IAD, or Divergent 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway, I'm dying to read Fangirl
Christy @ Christy's Book Addiction
I wish I have what it's takes to wrote an awesome fanfiction sequel of Harry Potter 2nd generation. Oh… JK Rowling….
I'm not much of a writer myself but if I could write I'd probably write a Poison Study fanfic
I actually would go with a classic.. Alice in wonderland ., I actually am writing a book base on Alice .. Called " Alice in the red castle" it's a what if kind of story ..
I think that Harry Potter fanfic would be really fun to write! One of my favorite series is The Infernal Devices, so it would be awesome to be creative enough to write that fanfic too!
Thank you for this awesome giveaway! Fangirl is one of my most anticipated reads of the fall! Thank you for the wonderful review, too!
Glad to hear you enjoyed this one! I'm reading it right now and loving it. I can completely relate to Cath too, there are so many fictional worlds I'm not ready to say goodbye to when the last book is over, and though I've never written fan fiction, i've read a fair amount of it and do love it. And hooray for Laura Ingalls Wilder flashbacks! Lovely review 🙂
Ah. If I wrote fanfic it would probably be based on The Grisha Trilogy or Throne of Glass. Once upon a time I wrote BtVS and Twilight fanfic but I just don't have that kind of motivation anymore.
Oooh, hreat question. I'd base it on The Hollows by Kim Harrison or Soul screamers by Rachel Vincent.
Doctor Who!!! Specifically with the 10th doctor! I love David!
That or Loki… Just Loki
Thanks for the giveaway!
If I had to writ some fanfic, I'd choose Divergent or The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer…for books and possibly Covert Affairs..I could go on forever about that show.
I would love to write fan-fiction on Harry Potter because it is one of my favorite books series of all time and wouldn't want it to end, and also the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson because I hated the ending and would love to write a new version with a much better conclusion.
Hands down Doctor Who. Oh yes. And it would be the awkward fan fiction about myself.
Narnia would be a good second!
Hmm I don't know, maybe I'd write fan-fic on Vampire Academy series or The Hunger Games. Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
I had no idea Simon Baz was a real comic book character! How interesting!So glad you liked this one too!
HP probably, although it would be hard! Thanks for the chance to win!
Shatter me by Tahereh Mafi, about Adam/Julliette/Warner situation! 🙂
If I wrote fan fiction there's no telling what all it would be based off of. The Under the Never Sky series. Harry Potter. Anything Jane Austen. Vampire Academy. DIVERGENT!!! I WANT MORE INITIATION STORIES! The Hunger Games–MORE GAMES! 🙂 So on and so on!
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
If I wrote fan fiction there's no telling what all it would be based off of. The Under the Never Sky series. Harry Potter. Anything Jane Austen. Vampire Academy. DIVERGENT!!! I WANT MORE INITIATION STORIES! The Hunger Games–MORE GAMES! 🙂 So on and so on!
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
I could never write fanfiction but if I did write it I'm sure it'd be about Harry Potter.