Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The title, Fangirl, refers to Cath, a fanfiction writer who begins the story by moving into her freshman dorm at the college. Off-balance because she and her twin sister Wren are no longer attached at the hip, Cath has to navigate her fiction-writing class and her relationships with her sister, father, roommate, and her roommate’s on-and-off boyfriend. Rowell’s characters initially seem to lack depth, but through their interactions and reactions they develop a uniqueness that brings them to life. While the story definitely has plot, some of the arcs are not explored to their full potential, such as the situation of Cath and Wren’s mother. I found the use of excerpts from Cath’s fanfiction quite effective–both as a way to inform the reader about the fictional book series Rowell has invented, and as a way to offer commentary within the story on the events that have occurred. Those who enjoy light-hearted romance and whimsical prose will enjoy this book.
Harker US Book Blog 