Superfan

 

What happens when fandom stops being a refuge and starts becoming a trap?

Superfan by Jenny Tinghui Zhang is a sharp, emotionally charged audiobook about loneliness, obsession, and the need to feel seen.

College freshman Minnie is struggling to adjust to campus life. She’s lonely and adrift. She finally finds connection in an online forum devoted to the boy band HOURglass, especially band member, Halo. After Minnie is assaulted by the roommate of her on-again, off-again boyfriend, she retreats even further into the fandom, clinging to the sense of belonging it offers.

The story unfolds through dual points of view, alternating between Minnie and Eason, Halo’s real name. As Minnie’s attachment deepens, Eason is buckling under the pressures of fame including the relentless schedules and increasingly aggressive fan base. He’s also guarding a dark secret that could cost him everything if it’s exposed. When scandal threatens the band, Minnie becomes convinced she’s the only one who can save him, setting the stage for tragedy.

Minnie’s loneliness is palpable, and her character growth is very moving. I was rooting for her even when her choices were frustrating, especially as she’s manipulated by an older student she has a crush on. The audiobook is beautifully narrated by Katherine Chin and Eric Yang, whose performances are both heartbreaking and hopeful.

This is a compelling coming-of-age story examining identity, power, and the dangerous line between connection and obsession—especially for women navigating life online.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the commentary early listen. Out Feb. 3. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

QOTD: Have you ever loved something (a book, a band, a fandom) that made you feel less alone?

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About the Author

Jenny Tinghui Zhang is the author of the novels Superfan and Four Treasures of the Sky, named an Idaho Book of the Year and short- and longlisted for the Chautauqua Prize, the Dublin Literary Award, the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction, and the VCU Cabell First Novelist Award. Her work has appeared in The Cut, Foreign Policy, The New York Times, Texas Highways, and elsewhere. She is a National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree and has received support from Yaddo, Kundiman, VONA/Voices, Tin House, and the University of Wyoming, where she completed her MFA.