“She was the kind of person who, if you lent her a book, she'd return it with bookmarks at all her favorite parts.”
— Cath reflecting on her sister Wren's personality and reading habits.
Archivist's Choice
Fangirl
Rainbow Rowell (2013)
Genre
Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
10-12 hours
Key Themes
See below
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A fan-fiction writer faces college, independence, a tough writing class, and changing relationships, all while deciding if she will write her own story or stay in her fictional world.
Synopsis
Cath Avery, a dedicated fan fiction writer, starts college feeling overwhelmed and alone after her twin sister, Wren, decides they should not be roommates. Cath deals with social anxiety, a demanding fiction writing class where her professor dislikes fan fiction, and the worry of leaving her fragile father alone. She finds unexpected connections with her roommate Reagan's charming boyfriend, Levi, and a handsome classmate, Nick, as she navigates school and personal growth. When Wren struggles with self-destructive behavior, Cath must learn to balance her love for the fictional world of Simon Snow with the challenges and chances of her real life. She finds her voice and accepts new relationships and experiences.
Reading time
10-12 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Heartwarming, Relatable, Sweet, Comforting
✓ Read this if...
You love stories about finding your place, the complexities of sisterhood, and the power of fandom, particularly with a sweet romance.
✗ Skip this if...
You dislike contemporary YA with a focus on internal conflict and character development over fast-paced plot, or are not interested in fan fiction as a central theme.
Plot Summary
A New Beginning, Alone
Cath Avery arrives at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, feeling overwhelmed and anxious for her freshman year. Unlike her outgoing twin sister, Wren, Cath is introverted and deeply attached to her comfort zone, which mostly involves the fictional world of Simon Snow. Wren decided they should not room together, saying they needed to grow independently. Cath finds herself in a small dorm room with a seemingly unfriendly roommate, Reagan, and Reagan's always-present, charming boyfriend, Levi. Their first interactions are awkward and tense, with Cath retreating to her laptop and her Simon Snow fan fiction, feeling completely out of place and alone.
Literary Friction
Cath enrolls in a fiction writing class taught by Professor Piper. To Cath's dismay, Professor Piper openly dislikes fan fiction, seeing it as unoriginal and a barrier to true creative writing. This immediately creates a conflict for Cath. Her entire writing identity is built around her popular Simon Snow fan fiction, 'Carry On, Simon.' She finds it hard to write original stories, always comparing them to the complex world she has already mastered. This school pressure adds to her already significant worries about college and her place in the 'real' literary world.
Unexpected Alliances
Despite initial tension, Reagan slowly starts to help Cath come out of her shell. She insists Cath eat meals with her and Levi. Though Cath is uncomfortable at first, she gradually begins to open up. Levi, especially, is a kind and patient person. He helps Cath with her laundry, walks her to classes, and genuinely tries to understand her love for Simon Snow, even reading parts of 'Carry On, Simon.' This growing friendship gives Cath much-needed support and a sense of belonging outside her online fan community.
Wren's Wild Ride
While Cath struggles to adjust, Wren quickly embraces the party scene, making new friends and drinking often. Her behavior worries Cath, who often waits up for Wren or tries to ensure her safety. Their father, Art, who has bipolar disorder and is often emotionally fragile, also worries about Wren's choices. This changes their childhood roles, with Cath becoming the more responsible and protective sister, constantly checking on Wren and trying to talk with their father.
A Developing Romance
As the semester continues, Cath and Levi spend more and more time together. Levi's consistent kindness, his real interest in her writing, and his calm manner contrast sharply with the chaos in Cath's life. He helps her with her English papers, reads her fan fiction aloud, and offers emotional support. Their connection grows beyond friendship, leading to their first kiss and the start of a sweet romantic relationship. Cath falls for Levi, despite her anxieties and the complications of his on-again, off-again relationship with Reagan.
The Fan Fiction Frenzy
Cath is under great pressure to finish 'Carry On, Simon,' her very popular fan fiction, before the final book in the official Simon Snow series comes out. Her readers eagerly await the ending, and she feels a strong duty to them. This intense fan fiction writing schedule often clashes with her school duties, especially her original fiction assignments for Professor Piper. The stress of balancing her two writing worlds, along with her family drama and new relationship, pushes Cath to her limits. She questions her priorities.
Family Crises
Wren's excessive partying leads to her getting alcohol poisoning and needing hospitalization. This event is a wake-up call for both Wren and their father. Cath rushes to be by Wren's side, showing the deep bond they still share despite their recent distance. The crisis forces their father, Art, to face his own mental health and get help. It brings the family closer, allowing them to discuss their mother's abandonment and its lasting effects on their lives more openly and honestly.
Academic Revelation
After much struggle and delay, Cath finally writes an original short story for Professor Piper's class. Using her own life and worries for inspiration, she creates a raw and honest piece. To her surprise and relief, Professor Piper praises her work, recognizing her talent for storytelling even outside of fan fiction. This validation is a major turning point for Cath. It boosts her confidence and makes her realize that her writing skills are useful and valuable on their own.
Reconciliations and Resolutions
After Wren's hospitalization, the twins slowly begin to fix their relationship, acknowledging the distance that had grown between them. Wren starts to take her recovery seriously and wants to reconnect with Cath. At the same time, Cath and Levi's relationship becomes stronger. They confess their feelings for each other, and Levi officially breaks up with Reagan, confirming his commitment to Cath. Cath also begins to accept that her fan fiction, 'Carry On, Simon,' is a valid form of creative expression, even as she explores original writing.
Embracing the Future
Cath successfully finishes 'Carry On, Simon,' bringing her beloved fan fiction to a satisfying end for her millions of readers. This achievement, combined with her school success and personal growth, marks her coming-of-age. She has navigated her first year of college, formed meaningful relationships, and found her own voice as a writer, both within and outside of fandom. Cath ends the year feeling more secure in herself, with a strong relationship with Levi, a mending bond with Wren, and growing confidence in her ability to write her own story, literally and figuratively.
Principal Figures
Cath Avery
The Protagonist
Cath moves from a state of extreme anxiety and dependence to one of self-confidence and independence, learning to balance her passion for fan fiction with original writing and real-world relationships.
Wren Avery
The Supporting
Wren initially distances herself from Cath and fandom, experiences a crisis, and eventually begins to mature and reconnect with her sister and family.
Levi Stewart
The Supporting
Levi evolves from Reagan's casual boyfriend to Cath's dedicated and understanding partner, while also confronting his own academic insecurities.
Reagan
The Supporting
Reagan transitions from a seemingly hostile roommate to Cath's close friend and confidante, revealing her softer side.
Art Avery
The Supporting
Art confronts his mental health challenges and seeks professional help, becoming a more stable and present father figure.
Professor Piper
The Supporting
Professor Piper remains consistent in her views but ultimately recognizes and praises Cath's talent for original storytelling.
Nick
The Supporting
Nick serves as a temporary writing partner and a point of comparison for Cath's own struggles with originality and collaboration.
Laura
The Mentioned
Laura's character arc is largely in the past, but her actions continue to influence the present lives of the Avery family.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Self-Discovery
The novel shows Cath's move from adolescence to adulthood. She deals with who she is without her twin sister and her fan fiction identity. College forces her to face her anxieties and build a new identity, separate from the 'Simon Snow girl.' She learns that her love for fan fiction does not stop her from being an original writer or a capable person. This theme is clear in her struggle to write original fiction for Professor Piper, her attempts to make friends outside of Wren, and her eventual understanding that she can embrace both her fan identity and her growing adult self.
““She was a girl who knew how to be a fangirl. She was a girl who knew how to be a twin. She was not a girl who knew how to be alone.””
The Power of Fandom and Creativity
Fangirl supports fan fiction as a real and powerful form of creativity and community. Cath's 'Carry On, Simon' is not just a hobby; it is her life's work, a source of great pride, connection, and skill. The book argues against the dismissive view of fan fiction, showing how it can lead to original writing and be an important emotional outlet. The online fandom gives Cath a sense of belonging and purpose, validating her voice even when the academic world initially does not. This is clear in Cath's dedication to her story and the passionate responses from her readers.
““What do you mean, 'fanfiction isn't real writing'?””
Family Bonds and Trauma
The lasting effect of family, especially the trauma of their mother leaving, shapes Cath and Wren's lives. Their bond as twins is central. The story explores the challenges of growing up while both holding onto and changing that intense connection. Their father's mental health struggles also highlight the responsibilities and anxieties within the family. The novel shows how family members deal with past wounds in different ways, eventually finding healing and reconnection through shared vulnerability and support, especially after Wren's hospitalization.
““It's not like she abandoned us. She just… went away. She just… wanted to be free.””
First Love and Healthy Relationships
The novel shows the growth of a tender, supportive, and healthy first love between Cath and Levi. Their relationship is built on mutual respect, patience, and real understanding. Levi's consistent kindness and his ability to see and appreciate Cath for who she is, including her quirks and anxieties, help her grow. Their dynamic contrasts with Wren's more superficial romantic encounters, showing the importance of emotional connection and trust. Levi actively listens to Cath, helps her with her struggles, and celebrates her successes, creating a safe space for her to be herself.
““I'm not going anywhere, Cath. I'm right here.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Parallel Narratives (Simon Snow vs. Cath's Life)
Interweaving excerpts from Cath's fan fiction and the official Simon Snow books.
Throughout the novel, Rainbow Rowell intersperses the main narrative with snippets from Cath's fan fiction, 'Carry On, Simon,' and passages from the original Simon Snow books. This device serves multiple purposes: it immerses the reader in Cath's world and passion, provides context for her writing, and often mirrors or comments on the events and emotions unfolding in Cath's own life. The fantastical elements of Simon Snow act as a foil to Cath's realistic struggles, highlighting her escapism while also demonstrating the depth of her creative engagement.
The Twin Dynamic
The contrasting personalities and evolving relationship of identical twin sisters.
The relationship between Cath and Wren is a central plot device. Their identical appearance but vastly different personalities create immediate conflict and opportunities for growth. Their separation at college forces them to define themselves individually, while their deep, shared history provides a constant backdrop of emotional resonance. The twin dynamic explores themes of dependence, independence, and the enduring power of familial bonds, especially when one twin tries to break free while the other clings to the past.
The 'Fish Out of Water' Trope
An introverted character placed in a challenging new environment.
Cath's experience as an extremely introverted, socially anxious fan girl thrust into the unfamiliar and overwhelming world of college serves as a classic 'fish out of water' scenario. This device generates much of the initial conflict and humor, as Cath struggles with roommates, classes, and social expectations. It effectively highlights her journey of growth as she slowly adapts, forms new relationships, and learns to navigate an environment far outside her comfort zone, ultimately finding her footing and thriving.
The Mentor Figure (Professor Piper)
An authority figure who challenges the protagonist's established beliefs.
Professor Piper acts as a mentor figure for Cath, albeit an unconventional one. Her strong stance against fan fiction directly challenges Cath's primary creative outlet and identity. This opposition forces Cath to re-evaluate her writing, push her boundaries, and ultimately discover her capacity for original storytelling. While initially a source of stress, Professor Piper's demanding teaching style and eventual recognition of Cath's talent are crucial catalysts for Cath's artistic and personal development, pushing her toward a broader understanding of what it means to be a writer.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“You don't have to be happy to be a successful person. You just have to be able to do your job.”
— Levi offering pragmatic advice to Cath about managing expectations.
“Being a fangirl is the best thing that's ever happened to me.”
— Cath's internal monologue about the importance of her fanfiction in her life.
“She was a lone wolf. A lone wolf who was also a kitten.”
— Cath describing her own introverted yet somewhat vulnerable nature.
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.”
— A general reflection on change, especially as Cath navigates her first year of college.
“It was like she had a hole in her heart, and the only thing that could fill it was words.”
— Cath's deep connection to writing and storytelling.
“Sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to be human.”
— Levi comforting Cath and encouraging her to be less hard on herself.
“I want to be in a relationship where we're not just two people, but two whole people.”
— Cath's ideal vision of a healthy relationship.
“You can't just stop being you because you're scared.”
— Reagan pushing Cath to step outside her comfort zone.
“The world was a book, and those who did not travel read only one page.”
— A quote from a book that Cath is reading, reflecting on broader experiences.
“What if I told you that you don't have to be a genius to write a good story?”
— Professor Piper encouraging her students, including Cath, about writing.
“Love isn't like a math problem. It's more like a story.”
— Levi's simple yet profound understanding of love.
“She wasn't broken. She was just… a little bent.”
— Cath's internal assessment of her own emotional state and resilience.
“Sometimes, when you're afraid to do something, it's a sign that you should do it.”
— Wren's advice to Cath about facing challenges and fears.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
Cath's primary struggle is adjusting to life without her twin sister, Wren, by her side. Wren's decision not to room with Cath forces Cath out of her comfort zone, leading to intense social anxiety and difficulty navigating new friendships and academic pressures, especially concerning her fan fiction writing.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
