Fangirl characters

Appears from the start

A first-year student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who is more comfortable writing Simon Snow fan fiction than navigating unfamiliar people. Cath has built a large online readership for her unfinished story Carry On, Simon, and arrives at college expecting to keep sharing a room and routines with her twin. Wren's choice to live separately leaves her anxious and isolated.

Appears from the start

Cath's identical twin sister, who wants college to mark a clean break from the sisters' shared habits. More socially adventurous than Cath, Wren chooses another roommate, embraces parties, and resists being treated as one half of an inseparable pair.

Appears from the start

Cath's older, intimidating roommate. Reagan is blunt, socially confident, and frequently absent, but she notices Cath's tendency to hide in their room and begins drawing her into meals and conversation.

Appears from the start

A cheerful, talkative student who spends a great deal of time around Reagan and Cath's room. Levi is older than Cath, works at a coffee shop, and makes friends easily. His warmth initially puzzles Cath, who assumes his attention belongs to Reagan.

Also known as Arthur Avery

Appears from the start

Cath and Wren's inventive father, an advertising copywriter who raised the twins after their mother left. His intense creative energy can become a danger to his health, and Cath worries about leaving him alone while she is at college.

First appears in chapter 3

A talented student in Cath's upper-level fiction-writing class. Nick invites Cath to work beside him at the library, where their informal exchanges develop into a continuing collaborative story.

First appears in chapter 3

The demanding professor who admits Cath to an advanced fiction-writing course. She recognizes Cath's ability but insists that academic creative work must be original and expects Cath to take her own voice seriously.

First appears in chapter 2

Wren's new roommate and frequent companion at parties. Courtney supports Wren's push toward an independent social life and becomes part of the distance opening between the twins.

First appears in chapter 2

Cath's boyfriend from high school. Their relationship continues at a distance when college begins, though their conversations reveal how little of Cath's new life he shares.

First appears in chapter 18

Cath and Wren's mother, who left the family when the twins were children. Cath still thinks of her absence as a deliberate rejection, while Wren is more willing to consider renewed contact.

First appears in chapter 15

Cath and Wren's paternal grandmother, a steady relative who remains involved with the family and offers practical support when Art's health becomes unstable.