Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell Discussion Questions
1. Do you think that Cather's short story was plagiarism, as Professor Piper said? Is fanfiction plagiarism in an academic or publishing setting? What about spinoffs, satires, and parodies? (Such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies). Is there such thing as a completely original idea?
2. This book is over 11 years old today. Does anything "date" the book from the 2010s era? (Example: the eggnog latte from Starbucks is a holiday drink that is no longer offered).
3. Is there anything relatable or applicable in this book as a Starbucks barista? Do you think Mobile POS (labels instead of writing on the cup) takes away a personal touch from Starbucks?
4. What did you think about the way mental health was handled in this book? (Cath's dad's bipolar disorder and Wren's binge drinking). Did you think it was an honest and authentic portrayal, or did you think it was more stereotypical? If the later, how do you think Rainbow Rowell could have improved these depictions?
5. Did you like the excerpts of Cath's Simon Snow fanfiction? Do you think it's weird that a woman who is clearly heterosexual is essentially writing gay Harry Potter fanfiction? Do you think people dismiss fanfiction as a true creative genre?
6. Was Wren wrong to accept her mother's overtures of friendship? What did you think about Cath's conversation with Laura in the hospital? Did you think Cath was right? Do you think there are some kinds of love (like parental love) that should always be unconditional?
7. How does Cath's hobby as a "fangirl" (fanfic writer) affect the course of the novel, particularly in her interpersonal relationships with Levi, Nick, and Wren?
8. How does Cath's college experience parallel her fanfic writing? Do you think she pours some of her pent-up emotions into Simon and Baz?
9. Why do you think Levi has so much trouble reading books? What do you think of the inclusion of The Outsiders in this book? Do you think Cath feels like a loner or outsider in comparision to her twin sister Wren? What do you think of the scene where all of Cath's friends confront Nick, a graduate student who has been using Cath? Do you think Cath finds a place of belonging at the end of the book?
10. What was your favourite part in the book?
By the way, none of the characters in this book drink tea, but I wanted to include my Starbucks tea series pictures. The drinks in this book are a "mocha pumpkin breve", gingerbread latte, eggnog latte, and I think that's it. I don't think there are any iced drinks, but this is really a fall/autumn book. I don't remember any chai tea lattes though....
2. This book is over 11 years old today. Does anything "date" the book from the 2010s era? (Example: the eggnog latte from Starbucks is a holiday drink that is no longer offered).
3. Is there anything relatable or applicable in this book as a Starbucks barista? Do you think Mobile POS (labels instead of writing on the cup) takes away a personal touch from Starbucks?
4. What did you think about the way mental health was handled in this book? (Cath's dad's bipolar disorder and Wren's binge drinking). Did you think it was an honest and authentic portrayal, or did you think it was more stereotypical? If the later, how do you think Rainbow Rowell could have improved these depictions?
5. Did you like the excerpts of Cath's Simon Snow fanfiction? Do you think it's weird that a woman who is clearly heterosexual is essentially writing gay Harry Potter fanfiction? Do you think people dismiss fanfiction as a true creative genre?
6. Was Wren wrong to accept her mother's overtures of friendship? What did you think about Cath's conversation with Laura in the hospital? Did you think Cath was right? Do you think there are some kinds of love (like parental love) that should always be unconditional?
7. How does Cath's hobby as a "fangirl" (fanfic writer) affect the course of the novel, particularly in her interpersonal relationships with Levi, Nick, and Wren?
8. How does Cath's college experience parallel her fanfic writing? Do you think she pours some of her pent-up emotions into Simon and Baz?
9. Why do you think Levi has so much trouble reading books? What do you think of the inclusion of The Outsiders in this book? Do you think Cath feels like a loner or outsider in comparision to her twin sister Wren? What do you think of the scene where all of Cath's friends confront Nick, a graduate student who has been using Cath? Do you think Cath finds a place of belonging at the end of the book?
10. What was your favourite part in the book?
By the way, none of the characters in this book drink tea, but I wanted to include my Starbucks tea series pictures. The drinks in this book are a "mocha pumpkin breve", gingerbread latte, eggnog latte, and I think that's it. I don't think there are any iced drinks, but this is really a fall/autumn book. I don't remember any chai tea lattes though....
