This is a ‘kind of’ feelview of Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell but, mostly, it’s a rambling about my fan-crazed reading of books. This is a story about a young girl who loves the Simon Snow series of books, reads and writes fan-fiction and struggles to fit in the College she’s studying at. Simon Snow is a fictional character of a fictional author (Gemma T. Leslie) and represents none other than Harry Potter.
I remember the first time I came across the Harry Potter books; I was about 15 and my uncle lent me his US hardback edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – which I later found out was originally named Philosopher’s Stone, but was ‘translated’ for the US market. It was the first novel I read full in English, but the story was so captivating I really didn't notice I wasn't reading in my native language (except for that damn owl! – it took me a while to figure out what it meant).
Fifteen years later, I am still listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks (narrated by Stephen Fry, of course) over and over again, I'm still re-reading the books whenever I feel down or in need of some good laughs, and I'm still trying to persuade people to, not only, read the books but to sit down with me and have a long chat about the story. I would have written an essay about “The impact of the absence of technology from Hogwarts at the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament”, barring the fact that I still need to do stuff that will help me earn a living.
I have read some fan-fiction and decided it was not for me, but I fully understand Cath’s (the protagonist of Fangirl, were you confused) obsession with the stories that filled her childhood memories. Apart from this relatable experience, though, I didn't care much for the book. It was sweet and quick, fun enough and everything, but I think I'm older than I need be to really appreciate the story. The heroin’s quirks were annoying, her lack of comprehension of the real world was naive, and her reluctance to even touch the boy she was in love with was frustrating – to say the least.
Anyway, if you’re looking for a fun and cute page-turner, you can’t go wrong with this one. But, if you are anything like me and you need something more than that then you should reconsider your choice of reading. It reads so quick, though, that perhaps it doesn't matter either way. I think I’ll try something else by the author, since I rather enjoyed her style of writing.
P.S: Yes, Simon does seem gay. But why would that be shocking?
I remember the first time I came across the Harry Potter books; I was about 15 and my uncle lent me his US hardback edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone – which I later found out was originally named Philosopher’s Stone, but was ‘translated’ for the US market. It was the first novel I read full in English, but the story was so captivating I really didn't notice I wasn't reading in my native language (except for that damn owl! – it took me a while to figure out what it meant).
Fifteen years later, I am still listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks (narrated by Stephen Fry, of course) over and over again, I'm still re-reading the books whenever I feel down or in need of some good laughs, and I'm still trying to persuade people to, not only, read the books but to sit down with me and have a long chat about the story. I would have written an essay about “The impact of the absence of technology from Hogwarts at the Second Task of the Triwizard Tournament”, barring the fact that I still need to do stuff that will help me earn a living.
I have read some fan-fiction and decided it was not for me, but I fully understand Cath’s (the protagonist of Fangirl, were you confused) obsession with the stories that filled her childhood memories. Apart from this relatable experience, though, I didn't care much for the book. It was sweet and quick, fun enough and everything, but I think I'm older than I need be to really appreciate the story. The heroin’s quirks were annoying, her lack of comprehension of the real world was naive, and her reluctance to even touch the boy she was in love with was frustrating – to say the least.
Anyway, if you’re looking for a fun and cute page-turner, you can’t go wrong with this one. But, if you are anything like me and you need something more than that then you should reconsider your choice of reading. It reads so quick, though, that perhaps it doesn't matter either way. I think I’ll try something else by the author, since I rather enjoyed her style of writing.
P.S: Yes, Simon does seem gay. But why would that be shocking?