A very popular novel among the Tumblr community, I have been seeing this book everywhere. And believe me it has been receiving nothing but high praises at every turn. Fangirl, a young adult novel written by Rainbow Rowell, tells of the beautiful tale of every girls reality right now. And no I'm not talking about boys, drink and drugs that many people I know are facing right now but the ever increasing and emotionally heartbreaking tale of...yes, you guessed it. Fandoms.
Don't we all love that world? Of make-believe and fictional characters that you hate to love and those sarcastic assholes that you wish to wrap up in your own little blanket. Fangirl literally has it all. The main character in this particular novel is Cath, sometimes considered "Cather," Avery. Perfectly average girl who comes in a pair with twin sister Wren. Owner of her very own Fanfiction account, Cath maybe consider not particularly special on the outside but in the world of user Magicath she is as famous as her much beloved, Simon Snow.
For me, there is something different about Cath. Some sort of connection she has with the reader that I haven't experienced with many female characters that I've read before, and heck have I read a lot. Perhaps it's her innocence. Or maybe the way she opens her heart too easily and makes mistakes just like the rest of us. Whatever it is, I have to commend Rowell on how expertly and uniquely she manages to convey a character that I've no doubt many, just like myself, managed to connect with on such a personal level.
Fangirl has a vast range of characters, nearly all of whom I managed to fall in love with in some way, shape or form. Which isn't always easy for a writer to do, as they must focus also on the separate characteristics that may not always be appealing. Out of all these lovable and incredible characters I did however manage to pick myself two favourites.
As Cath moves to University and grows further and further apart from her sister, she does manage to stumble across two people. Two people of whom she creates quite the bond with.
Reagan. Now Reagan is Cath's new room-mate in her new dorm and she is a brilliant. Rowell manages to portray this sassy, badass chick who, although cynical and slightly crazy, is perfect for our shy and timid Cath to gain some confidence with and to show her more humorous side to as the joking between them remains constant and gets increasingly wittier throughout the novel. Overall Reagan is that one character that people would usually get sick of after a couple of chapters but, for some reason, stays with us as a favourite right to the end.
Aside from Reagan there is one other character that is absolutely pivotal to my enjoyment of the novel as a whole. And that is Levi. Childhood best friends with Reagan, Cath has no choice but to interact with him due to the fact he is round at the dorm nearly ever minute of the day. And when there is no one there to let him in, he sits in the corridor outside the room until either one appears. The connection between Cath and Levi reaches extraordinary heights as we follow these two down the path of life, love and friendship as they figure out who they are as a couple and also who they are as individuals.
Fangirl is simply a beautifully told story, one in which uncovers the true highs and lows of being a teenager in the modern day. Rowell manages to tug at all the heartstrings as we join Cath in her unknown quest to find happiness, friendship, herself and love that she could only ever write about.
