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Leather & Chains: My 1986 Diary
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 22, 2026
It is hard to describe Leather & Chains as a book, or memoir. Categorisation doesn’t really matter, I really enjoyed it.
I am a Kate Camp fan, and think her to be more literary and educated than me, one of those smart sassy girls who said cool things, who smoked behind the bike sheds, and also got good marks in school. Yet this revealing book showed another side of her. And we had some common experiences.
Only a little older than Kate, so much of the diary reminded me of my own teenage self growing up in New Zealand in the 1980s. Which of course drew me to this book in the first place. Aa well as the wonderful memory of Kate Camp on stage with Bill Manhire at a Writers Festival session reading from her diary. Wearing very cool shoes I might add.
She addresses the comments and questions she has received about why she would choose to share much personal content. Her explanation is very eloquent.
I’m just glad she did share.
I can relate to her description of feeling such sorrow for her younger self, “who even as she’s still emerging from childhood, is getting familiar with that very adult cycle of resolve and failure, regret and self-censure.” She reveals in her diary her underlying fear of being unloved, and unlovable. So relatable for this reader. The tensions of not being an idiot, knowing conventional romance was a construct, which you can still want to be part of. Brilliantly observed!
The outcome of her disciplined journey through her diary is as she described, is this work of literature. Which does “make people laugh, and feel things, hold their attention rouse their own memories, and provide that golden thread of human connection that, for us atheists, is the only thing that really matters, that sense of private minds speaking to each other across millennia and oceans.” Well put Kate. I completely agree , literature speaking from under the cover of a 1980s teenage girl has the right to hold its share of human meaning.
I am a Kate Camp fan, and think her to be more literary and educated than me, one of those smart sassy girls who said cool things, who smoked behind the bike sheds, and also got good marks in school. Yet this revealing book showed another side of her. And we had some common experiences.
Only a little older than Kate, so much of the diary reminded me of my own teenage self growing up in New Zealand in the 1980s. Which of course drew me to this book in the first place. Aa well as the wonderful memory of Kate Camp on stage with Bill Manhire at a Writers Festival session reading from her diary. Wearing very cool shoes I might add.
She addresses the comments and questions she has received about why she would choose to share much personal content. Her explanation is very eloquent.
I’m just glad she did share.
I can relate to her description of feeling such sorrow for her younger self, “who even as she’s still emerging from childhood, is getting familiar with that very adult cycle of resolve and failure, regret and self-censure.” She reveals in her diary her underlying fear of being unloved, and unlovable. So relatable for this reader. The tensions of not being an idiot, knowing conventional romance was a construct, which you can still want to be part of. Brilliantly observed!
The outcome of her disciplined journey through her diary is as she described, is this work of literature. Which does “make people laugh, and feel things, hold their attention rouse their own memories, and provide that golden thread of human connection that, for us atheists, is the only thing that really matters, that sense of private minds speaking to each other across millennia and oceans.” Well put Kate. I completely agree , literature speaking from under the cover of a 1980s teenage girl has the right to hold its share of human meaning.
July 11, 2026
Just a delight.
August 9, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. I read it in one sitting, as it completely captured my attention.
Kate Camp was 14 in 1986, five years older than me, but so much of her diary felt strangely familiar. Her teenage years, her family breaking up, complicated friendships and relationships, older boys, cruising around in cars, parties and a fair bit of teenage mischief all brought back memories of growing up in the same era. I felt like I was reading something from my own past.
The “Oh no, I’m pregnant!” moments absolutely cracked me up and brought back a few memories of my own teenage years.
What I loved most was the sense of freedom. There was something wonderfully uncomplicated about being young before mobile phones, social media and the constant connection we have today. You could wander around, get into a bit of trouble, hang out with your friends and simply disappear for the day.
I loved the rawness of the diary, and it was lovely watching her experiment with words at such a young age.
One thing I find quite strange is that Kate doesn’t remember this period of her life. Reading the diary, it feels so vivid and full of detail that it’s hard to imagine that these memories weren’t already sitting somewhere in her mind.
Funny, nostalgic, honest and incredibly easy to read. I think anyone who grew up in NZ in the 1980s, particularly fellow Gen Xers, would get a real kick out of this one.
Kate Camp was 14 in 1986, five years older than me, but so much of her diary felt strangely familiar. Her teenage years, her family breaking up, complicated friendships and relationships, older boys, cruising around in cars, parties and a fair bit of teenage mischief all brought back memories of growing up in the same era. I felt like I was reading something from my own past.
The “Oh no, I’m pregnant!” moments absolutely cracked me up and brought back a few memories of my own teenage years.
What I loved most was the sense of freedom. There was something wonderfully uncomplicated about being young before mobile phones, social media and the constant connection we have today. You could wander around, get into a bit of trouble, hang out with your friends and simply disappear for the day.
I loved the rawness of the diary, and it was lovely watching her experiment with words at such a young age.
One thing I find quite strange is that Kate doesn’t remember this period of her life. Reading the diary, it feels so vivid and full of detail that it’s hard to imagine that these memories weren’t already sitting somewhere in her mind.
Funny, nostalgic, honest and incredibly easy to read. I think anyone who grew up in NZ in the 1980s, particularly fellow Gen Xers, would get a real kick out of this one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Though Goodreads says this is yet to be released, clearly there is a disjoint between Aotearoa and elsewhere as I attended the launch a fortnight ago and its top of the Unity Books Wellington bestseller list the same week.
That said - this book captures a time and place, through the teen voice of the adult reviewing poet we have to day Kate Camp. So much of the diary is familar to us that grew up here in Wellington. The landscape, even some of the experiences piece together fragments from our own memories.
I loved the love and tenderness Camp gives to her teen self. Would be all be so brave to show our thoughts and deeds of the same time and place.
I finished the read in tears. Of admiration for the writer, of the apin of growing up in a world where you long to belong and yest be different at the same time. Of how hard we are on ourselves and how much emphasis we place on things that really dont matter at all.
Kate is brave, articulate, and open - would we could all be the same. Kia kaha Wahine Toa.
That said - this book captures a time and place, through the teen voice of the adult reviewing poet we have to day Kate Camp. So much of the diary is familar to us that grew up here in Wellington. The landscape, even some of the experiences piece together fragments from our own memories.
I loved the love and tenderness Camp gives to her teen self. Would be all be so brave to show our thoughts and deeds of the same time and place.
I finished the read in tears. Of admiration for the writer, of the apin of growing up in a world where you long to belong and yest be different at the same time. Of how hard we are on ourselves and how much emphasis we place on things that really dont matter at all.
Kate is brave, articulate, and open - would we could all be the same. Kia kaha Wahine Toa.
Review of advance copy
Not sure why it says pre-publication review as I purchased this last weekend from Whitcoulls LQ? Regardless, such a great read, will be something I ponder for a long time. Makes me wonder how I will view my own journal in the years to come!! Such a special book
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Weirdly, the publication date here is June 2026 but it has been out since early 2026, from memory. FANTASTIC memoir based on Kate Camp's 1986 diary, using the diary as a lens through which to view the past and the present. Favourite NZ read of 2026 so far.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This to me is a perfect book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fierce
June 25, 2026
I’d line to give this book five stars, because it’s do enjoyable, but it didn’t quite meet that high standard. This was a lovely, fun, worrying and enjoyable read. So good!
July 22, 2026
This book was too similar to some of my own experiences to be able to enjoy it more, although I did expect to and it was well put together. I’m glad those days are in the past.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews