Fangirl By Rainbow Rowell

Back in 2014, I was a still a little baby 16-year-old getting ready to start sixth from college. Feeling nervous about a new start without my family and friends, I often found comfort in books and bookshops. In one of my bookshop's therapy session, one title stuck out to me “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell.

“Fangirl” is about introverted fanfic author Cath. Who alongside her Identical twin sister Wren is leaving home for University (or Collage since its set in America). Interrupting the safe and happy life Cath of books, internet and family, when Wren decides not to be her roommate. Leaving her sister to unwillingly discover and adapt in the great wide world.

Now admittedly at first glance this sound like a rather cliched coming of aged story. However, its setting or YA tag shouldn’t fool you. Fangirl looks at a lot of different aspects of growing up and how it’s much more about handling the ineffability of change than actually being an adult. Questioning the concept of what people consider being mature, and what is consider’d childish.

Rowell showcases this best between the two sisters. Both girls have a very different approach to live: Wren is open-minded and seems to embrace life without fear. Whereas Cath is unimpressed by this whole concept and retreats to her comfort of her fanfiction and community. In a lesser book, the two would have been pitted against each other. Their father would have seen Cath’s interest in fanfiction as childish and something

to grow out of. Rowell doesn’t villainies Wren for enjoying the stereotypical student life, or condemned her for wanting her own space. Their relationship is one of the best things in the book, as both have their selfish moments but are both genuinely care about each other. Rowell drives the point home through Cath's friendship with her roommate Regan and her best friend Levi. The two are very similar to Wren, as both have a far more active social life than Cath. But are both are older and the shine and extent of attending party has worn off a bit and don’t feel the need to make that their howl experience.

Which brings us to Rowell’s attitude towards maturity as a howl and how that factors in to modern attitude. “Fangirl”, has one of the healthiest depictions of an involved fan and how that translates to her adult life. If i think about the fan depictions I had growing up the major one is Big Bang Theory. Where, despite enjoying the show, it has a bit of a negative slant on the characters that implies that their love for superheros has stunted them. Whereas Cath’s relationship with the Simon Snow books is depicted as a positive. They bring her happiness and confidence and she is driven to do something creative. She is writing fanfiction, judging by the snippets shared within the book, good fanfiction. That has her singe up for a creative writing class. Her love for the Simon Snow books doesn’t hinder her or keep her back. They are a part of her childhood, and Rowell is telling you that you don’t have to leave everything behind when you’re growing up.

Another aspect of the book that made me love it so was our male lead Levi. I don’t know how to tell you how sick and tired I am, of the same bad tempered boring man baby we have been getting over the last view years. Unpleasant male characters that can’t even say one civil word to the main character, it’s insulting to everyone. Levi is thankfully not one of them, he’s kind his funny and takes an interest in Cath first as a friend. Which just creates a really cute dynamic between the two of them and one that makes you think even if it didn’t work out, they would remain good friends. (Just do me a favour Date a Levi, not a Harden)

Now for the tiny nitpicks I didn’t like: we deserved more Wren. I read this book multiple times and I still feel like Wren deserves more time. The other thing I don’t like is probably really petty. Rowell mentions Harry potter (okay Levi does) after the entire book doesn’t mention the series. Which makes perfect sense because I thought Simon Snow was these world’s harry potter. It just took me out of the story for a moment and lose a little of what made the Simon Snow books such a good stand in.

I love this book. Which is surprising since I am not a big contemporary fiction reader. “Fangirl” is one of the view three I have finished has become one of my favourite books. I would suggest this book to anyone who struggles to adapt to change, particularly in stages of life where so much of it seems to be out of your control. I am in my twenties now and I re-read it after a recent live change, and it had a similar effect on me as an adult as it did a teen. Fangirl is the reassurance you need that no one is alone. We are all scared in our own way. And to embrace the things that bring you joy, no matter how childish they may seem to others.

P.s Simon and Baz are getting there own review.