Book Review: Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

If there’s one thing I’m confident that I’ve been doing right all my life, it’s fangirling. If I liked something, I fangirled. (Usually with no shame, sometimes with some shame, but let’s not go there.) And I still do fangirl. In fact, I am completely fangirling over Fangirl, a new YA book from the fabulous Rainbow Rowell.

I was excited for Fangirl because I adored Eleanor and Park, a book that came out earlier this year from the same author. (If you haven’t read it yet, it’s my favorite book this year, and I’ve read 75 books so far in 2013. So yeah.) Also, I was excited because it was about a FANGIRL, like me! From the description, I expected a light and mostly funny read that would kind of spin a parody of the fangirl lifestyle. But what I got was very different. Yes, it has its humorous moments, but Fangirl is a heart-warming and riveting story of someone learning to believe in herself and understanding how she fits into the real world.

The fangirl in question is Cath, who is obsessed with the Simon Snow book series and movies. It’s her first day of college and of course, she’s feeling the apprehension that most college students have, except that Cath is a little different than other students. She’ s more introverted and distrusting of people, and it doesn’t help that her outgoing sister, who happens to also be her identical twin, is trying her best to create her own identity in college. Feeling a tiny bit abandoned, Cath still has Simon and Baz, the two lead characters in the series that she loves so much. She’s an active member in the Simon Snow fandom and is pretty famous for writing very popular fanfiction. But as Cath casually begins to meet new people, the book turns into an incredible story of understanding and accepting all the changes, obstacles and wonders real life can throw at you.

As someone who spent most of her teen years being introverted and refusing to leave her comfort zone, I related to Cath on so many levels. It wasn’t just us being fangirls and having invested an undisclosed amount of time in fandoms, but that we reacted to the real world and the changes that come with growing up in similar ways. Everything about this story—from some of the weird things fangirls do to falling in love to learning to forgive or accept somebody—rings true. Rowell knows how to weave a story that feels very real, honest, and smart without a hint of pretension or phoniness. Also, Fangirl feels very now. For being fiction, it’s hard not to believe that right now there isn’t a girl or boy like Cath holed up in a college dorm somewhere writing slash fanfic.

Fangirl is littered with so many great and rewarding moments. I liked seeing how Cath and her sister, Wren’s relationship evolved throughout that first year of college. I especially loved how the relationship developed between Cath and the adorable, charming and smiley Levi. They share some of the sweetest moments in any book I’ve read this year. I was yearning for a Levi of my own by the end of the novel.

Again this year, Rainbow Rowell has delivered something truly wonderful. Her stories and characters have captivated, entertained and touched me. Fangirl definitely leaves its mark. It’s a story that many—fangirl, fanboy or mildly interested person—will enjoy and remember. I’m proud to say that I’m Rainbow Rowell fangirl and CAN’T WAIT FOR HER NEXT BOOK. OMG. WHERE IS IT? NEED NOW! *inserts 50 GIFs* Okay, I’m done fangirling now. (Not really.)

Rating: 10/10

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell hits shelves on September 10, 2013. Support The Young Folks and purchase the book at our TYF Store, powered by Amazon.

Book Info:

Publisher:  St. Martin’s Press (September 10, 2013)
Length: 448 pages (Hardcover)
Series: N/A
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult, College, Relationship, Romance, Family, Contemporary Fiction
Completed: June 2013

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