How freaking short was this book? I’ll tell you — too freaking short! It’s quintessential Rainbow Rowell, but so sadly little of it. Covering three days in line to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Kindred Spirits is a lovely meditation on geekdom, “nerd culture,” and the unfortunately antagonistic relationship that can arise between men and women in “nerd culture” when people feel ostracized by the mainstream and/or the opposite sex and wrap themselves in the protective cloaks of their interests and similar people with those interests.
Elena is a senior in high school who has a deep, abiding love for Star Wars. Transfixed from the first time she wanted the original trilogy, the films spoke to her. I’ll let Rainbow Rowell speak for herself, since putting things beautifully is her specialty: “If you broke Elena’s heart, Star Wars would spill out.” The new film represents not just another entity in the canon, created for her generation, but the opportunity to connect with other Star Wars geeks in one of the epic waiting lines she had heard so much about — ground zero for those who are so dedicated, they secure their spot in the theater days in advance. Imagine Elena’s disappointment when she shows up on the Monday night before the Thursday release to see that she will be only the third person waiting. Not only is there not an energizing crowd, but now she’ll actually have to interact with the other line members right off the bat, an intimidating prospect for an introvert who would have preferred to blend in and find her comfort level over time.
This anxiety manifests into reality when only one of the other two people in line, Troy, is sociable; the other boy, Gabe, seems bent on actively ignoring Elena as much as possible. “You won’t believe what happens next!” as they say on social media, but what unfolds over the three days is so perfectly charming and Rainbow Rowell that one is simply left to
This little story made me laugh out loud so many times. The pay-off made me explode with mirth and I am just sorry that it was so short. While reading this, I also couldn’t help remembering that I got to see the film on the 16th of December, because it opened early here. It also, once again, made me realise that there is no film ever created that I would sleep outside for when I can just book tickets online – cinemas in Oslo have assigned seating, so you don’t even have to show up early for the screening to get good seats.
You are welcome! I really need to read it myself, now that copies are out in the world.
I’m not a short-story gal but after this loving review how can I not?!?!
It really was adorable. And I found in an interesting look at what happens when technology outstrips nerd culture. Because lets face it movie lines are a THING. But they’re not really a necessary thing anymore, though they were when they first started. So what does that say about the few who still line up days in advance simply because it’s tradition?
That’s a great point! She talks about it a bit, where people are saying they can just buy their tickets online, but that’s not really the issue. I confess to not really being a line person. I’ve done them when I’ve had to for certain events, but when I had the option to buy ahead or some such I always do that. When geek culture in general has taken root in so much of the internet, and cons exist basically year round, lines really are an aging geek tradition. Their necessity and the interaction with other geeks that they provide are much less crucial.