Fangirl discussion

I was kind of confused about the ending. Was Cath's fanfiction version in the actual canon Simon Snow book? Or was she just reading part of her own story at the end of the actual book? Can someone explain what happened at the end?

I read it a few weeks ago, so let's see if I remember the details (heh). I think the point of the Simon Snow piece was that Cath thought that Baz was going to be killed off at the end of the last Simon Snow book, but it turns out that the author didn't write that. Instead, Simon & Baz actually do become friends and parts of the scene could be interpreted as homoerotic by slash fans. But since Simon & Baz turn the conversation to Agatha, it's clear that the (fictional) author (I forget her name) didn't intend it to be a gay scene, but it would still make fans like Cath happy. At least that was my interpretation?

And if you're confused about what Simon Snow stuff is written by who, check the "credits" at the end of each Simon Snow scene. The "author" is credited there. I'm pretty sure the part you're talking about was really supposed to be from the 8th Simon Snow book. But like I said, I read this a few weeks ago and my memory isn't 100%, so if I'm totally off, someone please tell me :]

Holly wrote: "I read it a few weeks ago, so let's see if I remember the details (heh). I think the point of the Simon Snow piece was that Cath thought that Baz was going to be killed off at the end of the last S..."

Thank you! That makes a lot more sense now!

I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappointing endings. I looked at reviews of her books - there is another one that I have not read and many of the poor reviews also mentioned that they thought the endings of the books were lacking. The author needs to work on ending her books properly. A good book ending should make you sad that the book is over, but satisfied. Her endings are just - missing something. You finish the book and feel like "that's it?" They are great up until the end and then they just aren't.

Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappointing endings. ..."

I agree completely! I rushed through this book, completely hooked from the very beginning, and the ending left me thinking "...wait. Did I miss something?" So many great storylines and characters, and all we got was a "And then they got together" ending.

Regardless, I still feel it's a good read, especially for all of us who grew up with Harry Potter and the like, all of us who grew up in fandom.

I really enjoy the whole book, but i needed to read more about Levi and Cath's relationship, for example, i was hoping to read the Levi's sister's wedding or something else like Cath meeting Levi's family, i think the ending was a little bit rush, but i really enjoyed the book.

Andrea wrote: "Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappoint..."

I'm sure in one of Cath's fanfic's- the Christmas one, Levi asks at the end- Is that it?

Cath responds that she can't really recall finishing it as it was so long ago, but she that she meant to leave it that way so the readers can add their own thoughts to the ending and decide how it finishes.

I think this was a hint from Rainbow Rowell that she likes to the same; which makes sense, because the main reason for Fanfiction is to change or add something from the original story.

Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappointing endings. ..."

Thank you I thought I was the only one who thought that! I felt like the book just stopped. It felt like the end of a chapter not the whole book.

Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappointing endings. ..."

I didn't feel that way. I felt like it was leaving things open for interpretation, and I liked that Rowell wasn't wrapping things up too neatly. Kind of like real life: you don't get a happy ending most of the time.

Then again, I read the book in one sitting, staying up late at night to do so, so I might not have been in the clearest state of mind.

I had also thought the ending felt rushed and unfinished, but not that it was intentional, so that we could come up with our own ending or even that it was because their lives had not ended, period.

Part of me just started loving the book a little bit more when considering this ^^ So thank you to those who pointed it out.

(The other part of me feels just like Hazel and Augustus, though, who travel all the way across the atlantic to try and get the ending to their favorite book out of the author ;) )

Remember when Cath told her professor that she wasn't going to write her story? Well, I think she still worked on it, and she won the award that was supposed to be for Nick. The story was about her mother and her twin sister. It wasn't really hanging. Cath realized some things at the end when she decided to take the second chance her professor gave her.

Well, at least this is how I perceive the ending. I can sense it. Anyone agrees with me?

What I'm wondering is did Cather finish Carry On, Simon before the release of the book or after?

My thoughts are on after. i believe she wrote her term paper instead when she realised that simon snow would always be there so she could take her time with Carry On, Simon

I am actually okay with the ending, but I do with there was a bit more, just a bit of Levi's sister's wedding and Cather meeting his family.

Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappointing endings. ..."

I agree with i read eleanor and park and fangirl and i was so confused about the ending, when i finish the books i was like what going on here??? what that supposed to mean ???

Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappointing endings. ..."

I couldn't agree more. I wanted there to be more with Levi and Cath at the end. I want a six months later or ANYTHING to tell me what their future was like.

I agree the ending could have been wrapped up better with Cath and Levi

I really hate Rainbow Rowell's endings. Eleanor & Park also had an incredibly disappointing ending (I rather liked how it ended, but the way it was presented was unsatisfying.)
I think the ending of Fangirl was supposed to be that the author of the Simon Snow books acknowledged her fans and the fanfiction, and that satisfied Cath. The series was over, and she could move on with her life and submit the (terrible) short story we see an excerpt of on the last page.
Personally, I would have much preferred learning how Cath had chosen to end Carry On, whether Cath could finish it in time, etc. I saw no reason for Cath to have to move on from Simon Snow, and even if she did, it was handled really badly, with me barely able to make sense of what ending we do get.
I don't really care about Cath and Levi, but I think the fanfiction was such a big part of the story that leaving that thread hanging was a terrible decision.

Emma wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-clima..."

I agree with you. Even though I was hoping for more in the ending I thought back to this part in the book. I think it's definitely the way she wanted to end the book and it wasn't due to lack of time or creativity. The ending allows all of us to continue the story however it is we want it to without leaving us completely hanging.

Alex wrote: "I really enjoy the whole book, but i needed to read more about Levi and Cath's relationship, for example, i was hoping to read the Levi's sister's wedding or something else like Cath meeting Levi's..."

I completely agree! I would love to have read something about Cath meeting Levi's family!

I agree that the ending wasn't your typical "all wrapped up with a bow on it" satisfying conclusion. At first I was like, "Wait... This is the last page???"

But then I flipped through the book again and I realized that at least Rowell had delivered resolutions to the main questions/problems. She just did it implicitly rather than with big obvious signs saying "and here's how we're wrapping up this one..."

So for example...

Problem: will Cath write her short story assignment for professor Piper's fiction writing class even though it's hard and she wants to just give up? Or will she instead escape into her Carry On Simon project as a way of avoiding it (as she's been doing her whole life)?

Ok so then if you look at last page of Fangirl it resolves that problem and wraps up several others as well.

It's an excerpt from Cath's short story. Phew! She did decide to set aside Carry on Simon in order to finish it. So that's sorted. (Ok, we already knew that from the dialog in the preceding section, but still, phew.)

Also, we discover, not only did Cath turn in a story, but it won an award from (and presumably been published in) Prairie Schooner--the very journal Nick wanted to get his/Cath's story into but couldn't because Cath refused a co-author credit.

So Cath has thoroughly defeated this jerk who used his attractiveness to manipulate her into helping his literary career. He took advantage of Cath and ended up losing his TA job and a publishing opportunity as a result. Ouch. So that's pretty satisfying I guess, depending on how much you dislike Nick.

Also, look at Cath's story itself...

When you break from behind the tree, it’s because you want to. It’s the first breath after a long dive. Branches snap under your feet, and the world is hotter and brighter. Ready or not, here I come.

Here I come, [whether I'm] ready or not.

It's basically a summary of the whole novel.

For most of their lives, she and her sister "hid" together in the make-believe world of their fandom, but Wren "got bored" and moved on.

Fangirl is about how Cath was clearly not ready at first, but after many struggles and trials, and with the help of Levi's eyebrows she eventually finds courage, grows up, and emerges from "hiding," The End, roll credits.

Also, I partially agree with "Fake" above...

I think the ending of Fangirl was supposed to be that the author of the Simon Snow books acknowledged her fans and the fanfiction, and that satisfied Cath.

Yeah I read it exactly that way too. I thought Rowell was implying that Gemma T. Leslie gave Cath a little sideways acknowledgement in the excerpted passage from the final Simon Snow novel.

And yeah, Rowell did leave Cath's fanfic career and Carry On hanging.

Except that we do see in the final fanfic excerpt that Cath is still posting chapters in April, after her school term is over. So at least we know she hasn't given up on her fic. She's just learned to finish her school assignments first.

The only major problem I had with Fangirl is that for the story to work, you have to believe that Levi would have a huge crush on Cath for months and never once simply ask her out. All he had to do was say at any point, "Hey, do you want to have dinner with me this Thursday? Maybe see a movie?" She's clearly single, she's at least willing to tolerate his presence, he obviously isn't shy, and he's the type of guy who gets to kiss random girls at parties. I found it hard to believe a dude like that would waste even a few days on, "just be really nice to her and maybe something will happen."

I really loved this book and i did like the ending. I think that endings that are a bit vague are good, they let me imagine more.I was completely expecting Cath to hand in carry on as her class story, and I was a little disapointed when she didn't. I thought the fic should have more of an impact on the ending. Like maybe the Author of Simon Snow acnoledged her fic in some way or something? Or she wrote the fan fic with a happily ever after that was symbolic to her life with levi?

i really loved this book though and i thought the ending was amazingly done and wraps it nicely.

Eethy wrote: "I agree that the ending wasn't your typical "all wrapped up with a bow on it" satisfying conclusion. At first I was like, "Wait... This is the last page???"

But then I flipped through the book aga..."

Wow, you really did get this book. I did notice some of these things, but you said it in a way that really makes sense. You kind of just made the ending really clear. Thankyou

I'm sure most people know this by now, but Levi and Cath have a cameo in Rainbow Rowell's new book, Landline. She doesn't call them by name, but she's confirmed it in interviews and on Twitter that it's them. If you've read Fangirl and are looking for them, it's easy to find their scene.

i just reas it yesterday, i read it yesterday morning and finished it yesterday evening, and the story is so good and enjoyable, i mean i can't put it down but i think the beginning is just lacking, i think rainbow rowell dont know how to end her books well, i also read eleanor and park and it was just, "is that it?" and that is also my reaction to the ending of fangirl. the story is soooo good but the endin i think is just a little bit of disappointing

Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappointing endings. ..."

I totally agree.

✿Lilac✿ wrote: "Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park) and the both books have anti-climatic, disappoint..."

No, I completely agree with you; I love that Rowell allows us to be a part of her characters' narratives, wondering about what will happen to them in the future and making plans for them. I never thought ones that her endings were rushed, I just think we have a tendency to want our endings wrapped up in a neat little package and handed to us so we aren't left to wonder.

Eethy wrote: "I agree that the ending wasn't your typical "all wrapped up with a bow on it" satisfying conclusion. At first I was like, "Wait... This is the last page???"

But then I flipped through the book aga..."

I was thinking the exact same thing! When there were like twenty pages to go, I felt like the book had way more to tie up before it finished, but after thinking about the separate problems and solutions, (the short story, carry on, the eighth dance, wren, levi, etc.) I realized I was okay with it. I still think that Rainbow Rowell is the best YA authors out there.

Well...
The ending was like there was no ending... First I thought that maybe I completely misunderstood something as English is not my native language, but I can see that's not only my opinion.
I read books to have fun and to feel satisfied after finishing one. Or at least the story should be finished, the plots should be concluded, the whereabouts of the characters should be rather clear.
I do not want to think about a story for weeks after reading it (I want to move on to the next book!) and I do not want to write fanfiction! There are way too many wonderful stories waiting to be read to waste time for just one.
I loved Rowell's "Attachments" but since - as you say - the ending in "Eleanor & Park" is as unsatisfying as in "Fangirl" - I'm not gonna read it. Sorry, Ms Rowell, you've just lost a reader.

Rainbow Rowell, ended the story the way she felt it should, so I don't find a problem in that. If "bad" endings to her own stories were enough to get you to avoid her books, then I don't know what to say. It's your decision, but....feel a little bit unfair.

I commend Rainbow for sticking to the ending of her stories that were in her mind.

its only been a week since i got/finished the books, and since then i keep thinking about the ending and there are days when i am completely satisfied with it,and then there are days when i hate it.

The satisfaction with the unfinished kind of ending is i can interpret it anyway i want Cather and Levi got marries,Cather becomes an author etc etc i can go on and on

but then i hate it cause i want to know Rowells endgame for Cather not the half baked one in the book but an actual ending with some closure attached to it

I know! They are like, the best part of the book! I wish she would write a secquel... (wrong spelling)

Even though this is one of the ebst books ever, the ending is really annoying...
I mean, it ended with her finishing her fanfiction about Simon Snow and reading it to Levi, but that's not my point...!
Like, what about her relashionship with Levi...? I want more...!

I know right!

I was just really sad when I reached the ending. I wanted more Cath and Levi. They were just so adorable and I didn't want it to stop. And when it did, I felt teary. I wish there can be another book (like a sequel to it) so Cath and Levi's story can continue. It was just so sweet, and I don't want it to end.

Question though: WHAT DO YOU THINK REALLY HAPPENED BETWEEN WREN AND HER ROOMMATE, especially on the night she got alcohol poisoning? Wren had a bruise, right? And she was acting a bit weird around Jandro after she was released from the hospital...

Omg you are right...! But, did she hit her... Or is it something more serious...?

Omg you are right...! But, did she hit her... Or is it something more serious...?

Omg you are right...! But, did she hit her... Or is it something more serious...?

Sali wrote: "What I'm wondering is did Cather finish Carry On, Simon before the release of the book or after?"

does it matter?
RAINBOW FREAKING WROTE A BOOK CALLED CARRY ON ABOUT SIMON AND BAZ LIKE WHAAAAA
and only people who read fangirl will get it AHAHHAA

Anshika wrote: "Sali wrote: "What I'm wondering is did Cather finish Carry On, Simon before the release of the book or after?"

does it matter?
RAINBOW FREAKING WROTE A BOOK CALLED CARRY ON ABOUT SIMON AND BAZ LIK..."
oh and yeah she wrote it before they mention it in the book
i literaly finished reading the book like 1/2 and hour ago lmao

Holly wrote: "I read it a few weeks ago, so let's see if I remember the details (heh). I think the point of the Simon Snow piece was that Cath thought that Baz was going to be killed off at the end of the last S..."

OHHHHHHHHH see i was thinking that baz and simon were gonna get together thats why levi and cath had that reaction after they started reading the last 400 pages but then Baz talk about wanting to steal Agatha so idk
but what u said makes more sense lol

Alex wrote: "I really enjoy the whole book, but i needed to read more about Levi and Cath's relationship, for example, i was hoping to read the Levi's sister's wedding or something else like Cath meeting Levi's..."

I completely agree. I couls have read another 50 pages or even more about these amzing characters. I didn't want to let them go, but the ending made it seem that they went away from me. It left me confused; but overal, it was an outstanding book and I definety recommend that you read it.

Personally, I found the ending somehow really satisfying yet really dissatisfying at the same time. Like, Rainbow Rowel just took me on this wonderful trip through this awesome world, but then the ending sucked. It wasn’t enough for the story. And slightly confusing too.
Does she ever meet Levi’s family? DID SHE EVEN FINISH CARRY ON SIMON BEFORE THE ACTUAL BOOK CAME OUT??!!

Emma Taylor wrote: Andrea wrote: "Dana wrote: "I felt like the ending was rushed and unfinished. This is the second book I have read by Rainbow Rowell (I also read Eleanor and Park)....”

I didn’t understand the ending so I google it and found goodreads. I couldn’t quite agree with those people writing, ‘That’s it’ and what Emma Taylor said actually makes sense.. It’s up to the reader to interpret their own meaning of the last paragraph and those last three words..

What's really confusing is that the last bit where Cath reads to Levi is a Simon and Baz story, but that was also the story that won her the competition. I thought Proffesor Piper doesn't let Cath write about Simon and Baz?!?!