Book Review: Fangirl

As a fanfiction reader (since 2007), writer (unofficially since 2003, officially since 2005, publishing since 2008- but that’s a whole other story) and just general fan of fanfiction, I was intrigued by the idea of a novel that features fanfiction predominantly.

Fanfiction isn’t something that is really seen in pop culture, unless it’s to single out “nerdy” characters or to mock those who write it (this is sometimes done with more affection than others). Futurama, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and Supernatural are just some shows that have mentioned fanfiction.

Most people still don’t know what it is. Or if they do, they think it’s either 50 Shades of Grey- type stuff (which even if I don’t read it, I know there’s a lot of it out there); or crap written by 12-13 year olds (again, there is a lot of that out there. A lot. It's true. I look back at my early stuff and shudder. Shudder, I tell you.) Or, for some reason, if people are aware of fanfiction, it’s always the slash pairings they’re aware of. Or maybe that's just the people I meet... 

So I was really intrigued and excited about the concept of Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell. Where the main character is an 18 year old girl starting college who writes fanfiction for the immensely popular and pop culture phenomenon, Simon Snow series (which is a Harry Potter type series. Another reason this book caught my interest).

Let me just start by saying, I have related to many fictional characters in my time. Anne Shirley, Jo March, Beth March (yes, both March girls. And sometimes Meg. But never Amy), Hermione Granger, Elphaba Thropp are the foremost.

And now, there’s Cather Avery.

Yep, Cather. And her twin sister Wren (Cather-Wren, Catherine. Get it? There’s a story behind that. You’ll have to read the book to find that out!)

She’s an 18 year old girl, starting college and moving away from home for the first time. She’s obsessed with Simon Snow and has been for years; and for the first few weeks she lives off protein bars and peanut butter she’s stashed in her room because she’s too afraid to ask where the dining hall is and how it works.

This is so me (although Simon Snow is Harry Potter and Delta Goodrem- and now Wicked. And I didn’t live out of home until I started teaching. And my stashed food would be nutella and protein bars. But I have been known to do ridiculous things to avoid new situations and what I deem are stupid questions. My last school, it took me a month to get up the courage to ask where the staff toilets were).

The other difference is that Cath’s main pairing that she ships is Simon and his roommate/nemesis Baz, whereas I don’t write or read slash fic. But the point is, I get this girl. 

Wren has decided to enjoy college life, doesn’t seem as into the Simon Snow fandom anymore and doesn’t want to share a room with her twin- for the first time in their lives. I don’t have a twin, but I get the feeling of sibling rejection. Or just rejection, really.

sob

The world is eagerly awaiting the eighth and final Simon Snow book to be released, which brought back all the feels from the time we spent waiting for Deathly Hallows to be released in 2007. To this day, I don’t know if I’ve ever dreaded and simultaneously wanted something so badly in my life… except maybe when we were waiting for Deathly Hallows Part 2 to come out in cinemas.

Cath has been working and posting her version of the final book, Carry On, for two years and is determined to finish before the actual book is released.

She is really excited to take a Fiction writing class at college, from a real author… only to discover her teacher doesn’t like fanfiction.

The novel focuses on Cath’s journey through her first year of college, between classes, boys, friends and family issues. She really finds herself and learns to stand on her own feet throughout the novel, which is really great to see. Cath comes a long way, in a much shorter time than it took me.

In between the chapters are excerpts from the Simon Snow books, and Cath’s own fanfiction.

If I had one criticism about Fangirl, it’s that the fanfiction is excellent. Really, really good. Aside from the subtext of romance in Cath’s fanfics between Simon and Baz, it’s hard to separate canon from non-canon. And whilst there is some well-written, very well-written and amazingly well-written fanfiction out there; my experience with fanfiction (especially in a big fandom like “Simon Snow”, or Harry Potter) the majority is not that amazing. Or maybe that’s just on Fanfiction.net. 

Even if something has a lot of reviews and people following it, doesn't necessarily mean it's well-written. God, I sound like a snob. Sorry, I don't mean to. If I could find that much fanfiction of that high quality, I would be a very happy girl. And just to be clear, I place my own works at the “well-written, sometimes parts very-well written” level.

So that’s my biggest criticism of Fangirl. The fanfiction is too good. Which tells you that this is an excellent book.

Of course, it’s not a book without a love interest; and for a brief moment it looks like Cath will get two. Levi is her roommate’s charming boyfriend. Nick is a guy in her writing class she works with. You will be very happy with her choice. Or I was, at any rate.

And my list of fictional guys (to compare) is Gilbert Blythe, Harry Potter, Fiyero Tiggular and Ted Mosby (yes, I would be the mother. Gladly. I’m a sucker for a romantic guy, ok?). Oh, and Mr Darcy. Because he’s Mr Darcy (although I have a soft spot for Colonel Brandon from Sense and Sensibility).

Whether or not you’re a fanfiction fan, Fangirl is a great book. If you’re not that familiar with fanfiction, it may give you a better understanding of what it is and how it works (or just a understanding of it). If you are a reader/writer of fanfiction, definitely give it a shot!