Title: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Release Date: September 10, 2013
My Rating: 4.8/5
Hello there,
Today I have
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and may I say, wow. This book almost didn't feel like a book. It felt more real than that. The entire time I was reading it, I didn't really feel like I was reading. Rowell created such a realistic world and even more relatable characters, I felt like I knew each and every one of them.
Cath, our protagonist, reminded me so much of myself. Rowell creates the most relatable characters in all of her books. Cath is an avid reader and loves to write fanfiction. She spends her time in her dorm room, writing and reading. She is socially awkward and has anxiety, which I see in myself. Her reactions to other characters are almost exactly what I would do in the same situation.
This book is hilarious and dramatic and tear jerking. The only reason I give this book only a 4.8 is because I wish it was longer. It ends and I don't feel like I know enough of what is going to happen. I recommend it to everyone, especially introverted people like myself.
For those of you who haven't read it, this is the end of the line. See you next time!
(spoilers below the picture)
**SPOILERS**
Here we go.
First, I want to mention the Simon Snow aspect of this book. It sounded so much like Harry Potter, I was almost shocked when Levi mentions Harry Potter in the book. Throughout the entire book, it kind of bothered me how alike the two story lines were, but then when I found out they both exist in Caths' world, it almost made me mad. I didn't think they should be so alike. However, I loved the idea of having another hit series and having the fanfic portion of the book. It might have been my favorite aspect (other than the reality). The scene towards the end, when they are waiting for the release, just brought me back to 2007, waiting in line for the final Harry Potter book. The emotions I had experienced were the same as Cath and Wren's in this book.
I also loved reading the Simon Snow and Carry On chapters. I loved how Cath took the main character, kept them basically the same, but twisted their actions to how she would write it. Before this book I was never really aware of the fanfic universe, but now I'm a little bit interested.
I love Cath. Now, normally I love the bad-ass leads that can kick and punch their way through everything, but this book was refreshing. I saw a character that reminded me so much of myself, I almost couldn't differentiate the two worlds. Cath is real, and awkward, and funny, and caring, and sarcastic. The best part of all that, however, is how she reacts. She doesn't say anything I wouldn't be able to think of myself and I love that.
Another one of my favorite aspects, cheesy as it may seem, was the romance. It was so awkward and silly, but again, real (I keep using that word, but only because it's true). Levi is such a sweet guy, I only wish I could meet someone like him. One scene I didn't think was very realistic was the kitchen scene. I don't really know why Levi was kissing someone else because Rowell made it seem like he wasn't that kind of guy. I agree that something had to happen to make Cath not trust him, but I wish it would have been something else.
When I first met Levi and Reagan, I thought they were siblings or something. I never really believed they were together, like Cath did. Also, I love Reagan. I wish I had a friend like her. She was so hilarious and drama-free.
When I first met Levi and Nick, I thought Cath would be going between them. I was pleasantly surprised when she doesn't actually like Nick. However, I loved the writing scenes with Nick, and then how Levi came and walked Cath home every night. That's when I knew that Levi would be the one Cath chose. When Nick showed up at Cath's door at the end was when I actually didn't like Nick. The whole novel, I didn't mind him that much until this scene. I was so happy when Cath didn't take credit for the paper. I totally saw where she was coming from because it wasn't actually her story and she finally put her foot down.
I wish I knew a teacher like Professor Piper. She was actually involved with her students and cared about all of them. She paid attention to their writing, and I loved how she could differentiate between Nick and Cath on paper.
Thinking of the mother aspect, I loved how Cath and Wren had different views and were each strong enough to follow their own paths. I could also see the situation from both sides; Wren wanting to know their mother and Cath wanting nothing to do with her. Laura herself however, I was not a fan of. This was particularly in the hospital scene. It didn't make sense to me how Laura could wait all that time with Cath to see Wren, and then when it was finally time she bailed. I was a little confused, but it really showed Laura's true colors and made me sympathize with both of the twins more; Wren losing her mother again, and Cath realizing what Wren had been going through.
I feel like there were too many medical emergencies, with Wren and alcohol, and Art with going crazy. It almost felt like too much, but when I think about it, I could not get rid of either. They do tie in to each other and make sense on both ends.
By the way, I also love Art. He's pretty great.
Anyways, I'm reaching the end of my review, and the last point I can think of is the end. I wanted more. I felt like the book just cut off. I didn't know it was going to end there and kept reading into the Snow portion in the back before I realized the actual novel had ended. I wish there were two to three more chapters to show what happened with the fanfiction, Simon Snow, Levi, Nick, and Reagan.
Overall, this book was a happy read. It just made me feel good. I would recommend it to everyone on the face of the planet (well okay, maybe not everyone but most people).
Until next time, Keep Reading!
