FANGIRL

FanGirl by Rainbow Rowell

Rainbow Rowell's FanGirl is a charming story that follows one half of a twin duo as she ambles along to University, tugging on the coat tails of her exuberant sister while nursing a pretty crippling anxiety issue. What starts off as a slightly fluffy and almost silly narrative soon transforms into a coming of age story that delicately handles some serious underlining issues that no doubt many readers will sympathies with.

Firstly, this book isn't going to challenge you too much, you don't have to work too hard while reading it and personally I think that just adds to it's charm. I don't think you necessarily need to feel like you deserve a break after each chapter to make a good book. However, it's the subject matter that's really going to divide readers. What sealed the deal for my enjoyment of this book was main character, Cath. Dear God, I've found myself in literary form. It is as if Rowell herself has set up camp in my freshers room and observed me in an Attenborough fashion; modeling my own neurosis into her main character. As i read about Cath's social anxiety, her urge to check locked doors and burning ovens, her snack hoarding and general antisocial terror; i found myself nodding along, being transported back to my nineteen year old self sobbing in the locked toilet as i tried to summon the courage to find my classrooms. Cath isn't your typical quirky, pixie girl who just likes things her own way. She has a genuine mental health problem, something that's cemented to us via her fathers mental break down and as a reader; you really feel for her. Anyone with an anxiety issue knows the soul crushing terror of a new situation and new surroundings, fighting the constant urge to fly back home to the safety of your parents house, and Rowell taps into this unique fear in a sensitive and honest manor as we see Cath break free of some of her anxiety charged demons.

Along the way we meet other key characters including Cath's twin sister, Wren. Wren is your typical anti twin, the exact opposite of our protagonist and to be honest - she's a bit of a cow. She's very much the girl down your hall that's pretty cool up until her fourth pint and you're holding her hair back wondering how somebody could be such a light weight. Anybody with a younger sibling will be reminding of the feeling towards your slightly infuriating brother/sister, that paternal urge to protect while fighting the impulse to hit them very hard; THAT'S how you feel about Wren. However, the genius of Rowell's creativity in Cath makes you sympathies Wren in a way that feels genuine and unforced. She's alright really, that Wren. We find out love interest in the tall, irritatingly happy but all round cutie pie, Levi. What girl doesn't want a sensitive, farm boy who brings Starbucks to your door at your beck and call, am i right? As well as other characters such as Reagan and mono-brow Nick, the little family Rowell's created in this university setting is quite realistic to the clashing of personalities you genuinely find as you attempt to make new friends and not offend people at uni.

The one thing you can't escape from during this read is fanfiction. However, if you've picked up this book called 'FanGirl' and didn't twig then I'm sorry but you've only got yourself to blame. The on going snippets of Cath's fanfiction stories and the constant talk of fictional literary pair Baz & Simon helps us get to know Cath and we're able to understand why she'd rather stay in the world of online fandom rather than actually excel in the real world. However, if you're over the age of fifteen; its all going to sound a little contrived. I can't help it, I just don't like fanfiction that much. It's a personal taste and i totally get why people love it but for me, the combination of a potter-esque sub narrative and the juvenile forbidden love between a magician and a vampire just wasn't hitting it for me. I didn't connect with it at all and to be honest, my eyes skimmed over a lot of the Baz/Simon material. In saying that, i was pleasantly surprised by Rowell's novel way of using Cath's fanfiction as a narrative device, it was quite refreshing to read between the lines of Cath's own fiction and get to know her better. Also, having her carry on with her passions after falling in love was a pleasant surprise. Love never changed or 'fixed' her but simply encouraged her. So if you're a fan of fanfiction, you'll be a fan of this. Also i was grateful to Rowell for keeping the fanfiction very much a PG-13 rating. In my final year at uni I wrote a paper on The Beatles fandom and i can tell you, i read a lot of fanfiction that would make even Yoko Ono blush.

Over all, i enjoyed sitting back and allowing myself to dip my toes in the world of Cath and her fanfiction. I've read Rowell's other fiction and have to admit, I do really enjoy the super relaxed and easy going style to her work. She has a way of creeping in serious and easily related social issues in a reader friendly environment. Go forth fanfiction lovers and live your own fantasy through Cath's mega success, it will be well worth it.

Elly