Opening Doorz

By Jiya Sharma | Opening Doorz Editorial | June 01, 2021

Book Review: Fangirl
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Rating: 4.5/5

The Essence: Fangirl is a good uplifting read with one of the simplest stories. This book is highly recommended as it can be a survival guide… you never know. Come, be a part of a tale of this wonderful story!

Fangirl Book Review

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell tells us about two identical twins, Cath and Wren, who until recently did everything together. Now, they are off to their university and Wren’s decided she doesn’t want to be one half of a pair anymore—she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It’s not easy for Cath. She would rather bury herself in the fan-fiction she writes where there’s romance far more intense than anything she’s experienced in real life.

Cath has to decide whether she’s ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences and she’s realising that there’s more to learn about love than she ever thought possible.

The story unfolds

Cath, along with her twin sister, Wren, begins studying as a freshman at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. While Wren is making new friends and partying, Cath struggles to adjust due to her social anxiety. Most of Cath’s free time is spent writing fan-fiction about the fictional Simon Snow series. Cath becomes more interested in her writing classes and befriends her classmate Nick, meeting him for writing sessions.

Despite having made a friend and enjoying her writing classes, Cath is miserable. Her roommate Reagan and Reagan’s friend Levi decide to help. After Cath becomes closer to Levi, he reveals he is romantically interested in her. 

Then follow a few turns of events as Cath’s father gets hospitalised, she meets her mother after several years and is not able to look her in the eye after what she did. Arthur Avery, the father of the twins, is a devoted and loving parent who did not have time to process or react to his feelings when his wife walked out. He was too busy single-handedly raising the twins. Although he is a doting father to the twins, he is bipolar and although we never see his depressed state we see his wild, manic phase that leads to his hospitalization. Laura Avery, the mother of the twins who left the girls at the age of eight, had promised to keep in touch but did not. Now, this sudden meeting in the hospital!

There are a few characters but Rowell uses them smartly in shaping the story. There’s Cather ‘Cath’ Avery, the protagonist and her twin sister Wren; Cath’s roommate, Reagan, a fun character having a straightforward perspective; Levi Stewart, Reagan’s friend and Cath’s ultimate boyfriend. Cath’s writing mate, Nick Manter and Professor Piper, Cath’s writing professor who believes the most in Cath’s writing talent.

Every other teenager’s life 

The book focuses on socialising difficulties which I can relate to being an introvert who finds it hard to initiate conversations. Such situations will surely come and one will have to come out of their comfort zone to feel independent and confident. This book also focuses on teenage reactions, responses and even thoughts to many situations. This makes the book a fun read. It’s hard to stop when you start to read it. The best lesson one can take away from Fangirl is that it is alright to be ourselves even if someone turns their back on us. 

Some of the moments to cherish from this book are when Cath and Wren finally spend time together. Cath is also there for her father, ensuring he is not alone. Cath also hangs out with Reagen and Levi, which follows quality time spent by Cath and Levi together. 

Fangirl is a good uplifting read with one of the simplest stories. This book is highly recommended as it can be a survival guide… you never know. Come, be a part of a tale of this wonderful story!

Also Read: Midnight Sun Book Review: When a vampire loves a woman!