Fangirl: A Novel

With a New Introduction!

In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, 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? And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

A New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2013
A New York Times Best Seller!

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448 pages

Average rating: 7.57

96 RATINGS

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14 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Anonymous
Dec 19, 2024
10/10 stars
So wholesome,, i was reading this as i was proctoring a test at work and it was SO HARD TO KEEP MYSELF FROM SMILING i loved cath and levi’s relationship. He is such a soft boy for Cath and their relationship makes me think,,, maybe love isn’t dead
Barbara ~
Dec 11, 2024
6/10 stars
3 1/2 stars really. It wasn't as good as Eleanor and Park.
Anonymous
Dec 11, 2024
10/10 stars
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell was the most realistic and heartwarming contemporary young adult novel I have ever read. I will never forget this story.

I absolutely drooled over this book. Not only was I able to relate to all of the characters, I fully enjoyed the conflict between them. Cath is a shut in with a social twin sister. They're off to college and Cath is about to experience life for what is truly the first time.

Cath was my absolute favorite. She's socially awkward to the point of eating protein bars and peanut butter just to avoid the main dining hall. She'd rather spend her time writing gay fan-fiction than going out to bars. When was the last time you saw a lead like that? She has real problems to work through, social anxiety, trust issues, self esteem. Being an introvert isn't easy and the author had no trouble relaying that to the reader.

Cath and her sister, Wren have a strong bonded relationship. They may be complete opposites but they love each other beyond a doubt. They're witty conversations were hilarious, not to mention true to life. Rainbow Rowell stressed the importance of family in Fangirl and that isn't something you see now a days either.

The romance in the book was a little hard to follow but nothing is simple in life right? Levi isn't the usual alpha male in most books, he's a farm boy with a bright smile and big heart. The way he is always there for Cath is so touching. I was rooting for her so hard it hurt.

I want to go on so much more about this book but I don't want to ruin anything. I just loved this story so much!
Anonymous
Nov 10, 2024
8/10 stars
I'd heard the hype around Fangirl and honestly was a little wary to read it because of it. I'd been disappointed in books I'd read in the past that had gotten this much hype, so I wasn't too sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised at this witty, funny, and very well written story. I devoured this entire book in only two days, and I'm glad I did. The writing style was hilarious but relatable and gave the characters that much more personality. As if they were leaping off the pages. It doesn't hold punches, and instead of tying everything neatly up in a bow at the end, it's left up in the air. As everything in real life would be. How does Cath's professor react to her short story? Will Cath ever come around to the idea of having her mother in her life? Things you won't get the answer to in this book, and that's part of the beauty of it. All in all, a really wonderful book that deserves every single ounce of hype it's gotten, at least in my book. Would highly recommend!
Anonymous
Aug 22, 2024
10/10 stars
Amazing story, very relatable characters, quick moving.

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