Cath wants to be a writer, but she doesn’t want to write just anything. You see, Cath is a Simon Snow (this fictional world’s version of Harry Potter) fan. She might even be the biggest Simon Snow fan there is. She spends most of her time writing fan fiction about Simon and his nemesis, Baz, and it’s the only thing she loves to do, but she can’t do it forever and she’s not sure she’s up to the task of writing anything else. With an overwhelming life of new people, a new setting, and new classes, Cath isn’t sure college life is for her.
This is actually a re-read for me. I first read the print version in December 2015. By January of this year, I missed Cath, Levi, Reagan, and even Wren so much that I just had to read it again. I needed a new audiobook for work and gym listening, and I decided to dive into the audio version of this, which was an excellent choice. The narrator, Rebecca Lowman, brought out Rowell’s world wonderfully, and even though I had already read it, I was impatient to hear her read what came next. Also, as a bonus, Maxwell Caulfield (Rex Manning!) narrates the Simon Snow bits to perfection.
I had read Eleanor & Park a couple of years back and I really liked it, but I don’t think I loved it near as much as everyone else seemed to. When I originally saw the premise for this one, I didn’t really think it sounded like my cup of tea but I really wanted to read Carry On (a semi-sequel to Fangirl) and I can’t read books out of order, I’m weird like that. Anyways. I’m so glad I read this because Rowell just has a knack for writing flawed and relatable characters. I felt such a connection to Cath, especially with her social anxieties, and I just wanted good things for her! And Levi. Oh, Levi. On the fictional romantic lead swoon scale, he’s in the Mr. Darcy range. He’s just the cutest. But this is so much more than a love story, it’s about her Dad and his tight rope walk with bipolar disorder (a guess on my part – it’s never specified, but seems to fit), her Mom leaving the family and then showing up suddenly ten years later, about her changing relationship with her sister, and her sister’s growing alcohol problem. If it sounds melodramatic, it’s not. As Cath tells Wren at one point “this isn’t melodrama, this is actual drama!” It’s engrossing without being soapy, and Rowell’s writing talent really cannot be overemphasized. In short, I love it, and I can’t wait to read it again and again in the years to come and I highly recommend it.
Yay, you’re back!
Back and ready for action! I think you’ll enjoy my Kiera Cass post, I was reading your reviews on Goodreads and I think we are of one mind one those books
yesssss
Do I need to read the other book first? Isn’t there another one? Haha, sorry those are vague, vague questions.
You don’t need to read anything first – Fangirl stands large and great on it’s own. If you’re going to read Carry On (same author) I would recommend reading Fangirl first although it’s not essential (but why not, it’s great :)
What alexis said – They’re all really stand alone books, but I would highly recommend reading Fangirl before Carry On
Hey, I’m the same way. I had to make Fangirl skip ahead in my queue so that I could allow myself to read Carry On when it first came out. I loved this (Carry On was somewhat a disappointment). Don’t know if you’ve read Landline, it seemed to get panned by a lot of people here, and I’ll admit it wasn’t my favorite but still liked it, but anyway that book gives you a nice little bonus update on Cather and Levi.
Oooh you’re the first person I’ve seen agree with me about Carry On! I liked it but I had some issues with it. And I am actually right in the middle of the audiobook of Landline right now :) It actually got bumped to the top of my reading list because A) I love the narrator and B) someone had told me Cath and Levi made an appearance. I’m liking it so far but I’m super afraid Rowell is going to break my heart somewhere along the way
I don’t know if you are at the part yet (it’s in the front middle-ish area), so I’ll go light on the details, but what Neal says at the door is basically my life motto. That sentence alone was enough for me to love the book, despite a lot of issues I had with it.
I still need to write my review of Carry On from last year (I’m soooo far behind), but yes, while I enjoyed it as a story, I didn’t love it and and I basically agree with some of the other assessments that it was essentially just an excuse to publish her own fan fiction.
I also “only” 4-starred Carry On! I think Rowell’s style works better when she’s not trying to also do an epic fantasy plot and squeeze 7 HP books into one novel. Landline was a tough one for me — classic Rowell in terms of having a gift for exploring relationships and emotions, but the husband really rubbed me the wrong way and I had a hard time being sympathetic. Oh well!
Fangirl, though, is amazing.
That’s my problem so far with Landline, too. Neal is just kind of a dick.
Neal didn’t bug me, even with the silent treatment. We’re showing up to their story at peak asshole on both parties. I read it way back for CBR6 (http://cbr.bgwdesigns.com/2014/11/even-if-your-heart-is-broken-and-attacking-you-youre-still-not-better-off-without-it/ ) and really thought it was great, but I can see why others not so much. I’m interested to hear how you decide to rate it.
That is true – he is much more likable in the flashbacks. Like I said though, I’m only about halfway through – and I am enjoying it so far for sure!
I wasn’t Neal’s biggest fan either. He just does that whole silent treatment thing and it is a dick move