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Camp
Sixteen-year-old Randy Kapplehoff loves spending the summer at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens. It's where he met his best friends. It's where he takes to the stage in the big musical. And it's where he fell for Hudson Aaronson-Lim - who's only into straight-acting guys and barely knows not-at-all-straight-acting Randy even exists.
This year, though, it's going to be different. Randy has reinvented himself as 'Del' - buff, masculine, and on the market. Even if it means giving up show tunes, nail polish, and his unicorn bedsheets, he's determined to get Hudson to fall for him.
But as he and Hudson grow closer, Randy has to ask himself how much is he willing to change for love. And is it really love anyway, if Hudson doesn't know who he truly is?
This year, though, it's going to be different. Randy has reinvented himself as 'Del' - buff, masculine, and on the market. Even if it means giving up show tunes, nail polish, and his unicorn bedsheets, he's determined to get Hudson to fall for him.
But as he and Hudson grow closer, Randy has to ask himself how much is he willing to change for love. And is it really love anyway, if Hudson doesn't know who he truly is?
384 pages, ebook
First published May 26, 2020
275 people are currently reading
14826 people want to read
About the author
Lev A.C. Rosen
18 books1,176 followersLEV AC ROSEN sometimes is sometimes known as L.C. ROSEN. He is the author of books for all ages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,545 reviews
December 31, 2019
I fully support this author's mission to destroy toxic masculinity with a single queer book
December 31, 2021
rep: gay Jewish mc, half-Korean gay Jewish li, Middle Eastern gay Jewish sc, demi lesbian sc, Afro-Brazilian-American sapphic sc, Black trans sc, nonbinary sc, gay scs
ARC provided by the publisher.
First things first: if you’ve read the blurb and you’re kind of worried about the whole "pretending to be someone else to get a boy" thing - don’t be. It’s handled with so much grace; Randy is being called out on his ridiculous plan by basically anyone who knows about it, constantly. The words “trick him into loving you” are used. It’s not a cheap plot device, it’s a driving force of the book and there are countless discussions regarding it.
Randy describes his plan as if his life was a rom-com. He will change his haircut, his wardrobe, his hobbies, the way he talks and walks, and gesticulates… And it will be all worth it because at the end he will get the guy of his dreams.
The thing is, it actually does feel like a rom-com at times! The plan works perfectly from day one, the boys have an adorable meet-cute, it’s all great. But that’s just the beginning, the outer layer, and the reality is that Camp uses Randy’s plan to teach him (and others) a lesson.
Randy falls for Hudson without truly knowing him, after having had barely any conversations with him. He calls Hudson his “dream boy”, some kind of ideal, but in fact it becomes clearer and clearer that he doesn’t really know him at all. It’s a nice contrast between Randy pretending to be someone else, and claiming to be in love with a boy who’s just a notch above a stranger.
Two major things are happening in Camp: Randy realises that 1) Hudson is way more complicated than the idea of the boy he had in his mind & 2) he can have interests that are seemingly complete opposites. Randy comes into the story determined to pretend to enjoy sports only as long as it’s absolutely necessary, and coming back to theatre as soon as he drops the L word & gets his happy ending. But over time he finally admits to himself that he can have both, that he doesn’t have to chose one side and stay there forever.
While for years Randy just took Hudson at face value, put the meaning he figured fits to Hudson’s words, the plan unfolding wonderfully forces him to acknowledge that there’s more to the boy. He peels off layer after layer (and not just in a sexy way, but we’ll get to that) to learn that no one but our crushes (in our heads) is one dimensional. There’s always more to the story and usually you have to put in the work to discover that.
Frankly, you could venture to say that Hudson also created a personality. Not necessarily a false one, just one centered by his background, by what he was taught to believe in. And yes, that does sound just like a person growing up around other people, but it plays a grander role in a gay person’s life. We have to hide certain aspects of ourselves for protection, accentuate other, safer parts to fit in.
That’s also exactly the idea behind the camp in the book. A safe haven for LGBT youth where they can be themselves, where they don’t have to fear to paint their nails, to hold a girl’s hand, to be the loudest version of themselves they possibly can. A summer camp created with love and care, with no place for shame. A groundbreaking concept, really.
But even in this little bubble not everything is always perfect. The best part, though, is that none of those hiccups, none of the conflict ever feels like it’s just there for plot reasons. Camp is largely character-driven, with Randy and his very strong voice at the center, and the whole novel really is about growth and acceptance, and reevaluating your world views. The whole cast is beautifully fleshed out, even down to catch phrases and tiny mannerisms. (Mark’s constant mentioning of his therapist might have been one of my favourite things. And Randy’s "sweetie" only used at certain times was absolute gold.)
Groundbreaking ideas aren’t in Camp just as part of the setting, though. There’s also the book’s approach to sex. If you’ve read any YA novels before, you know that sex is usually glossed over, not seen as something “clean” that teens should be reading about, but rather as something that has to be spoken about only in hushed voices. That’s not the case here. The book is aware it’s about teenagers and that teenagers can be horny, too. It doesn’t even bother with the fade-to-black kind of thing, just flat out describes sex scenes in the same detail all the other scenes get. Not all teens have sex at sixteen, sure, but some of them do and it’s really refreshing to see a book that acknowledges that and never tries to shame them for it (especially given it’s gay sex).
Camp might seem like a gay rom-com at the first glance, but it’s so much more than that. Yes, it’s absolutely hilarious at times; yes, the romance is a vital part of it; yes, it appears sweet and simply fun. But underneath it’s shimmery-glimmery facade, it’s a story of growth and learning to love yourself, each and every part.
ARC provided by the publisher.
First things first: if you’ve read the blurb and you’re kind of worried about the whole "pretending to be someone else to get a boy" thing - don’t be. It’s handled with so much grace; Randy is being called out on his ridiculous plan by basically anyone who knows about it, constantly. The words “trick him into loving you” are used. It’s not a cheap plot device, it’s a driving force of the book and there are countless discussions regarding it.
Randy describes his plan as if his life was a rom-com. He will change his haircut, his wardrobe, his hobbies, the way he talks and walks, and gesticulates… And it will be all worth it because at the end he will get the guy of his dreams.
The thing is, it actually does feel like a rom-com at times! The plan works perfectly from day one, the boys have an adorable meet-cute, it’s all great. But that’s just the beginning, the outer layer, and the reality is that Camp uses Randy’s plan to teach him (and others) a lesson.
Randy falls for Hudson without truly knowing him, after having had barely any conversations with him. He calls Hudson his “dream boy”, some kind of ideal, but in fact it becomes clearer and clearer that he doesn’t really know him at all. It’s a nice contrast between Randy pretending to be someone else, and claiming to be in love with a boy who’s just a notch above a stranger.
Two major things are happening in Camp: Randy realises that 1) Hudson is way more complicated than the idea of the boy he had in his mind & 2) he can have interests that are seemingly complete opposites. Randy comes into the story determined to pretend to enjoy sports only as long as it’s absolutely necessary, and coming back to theatre as soon as he drops the L word & gets his happy ending. But over time he finally admits to himself that he can have both, that he doesn’t have to chose one side and stay there forever.
While for years Randy just took Hudson at face value, put the meaning he figured fits to Hudson’s words, the plan unfolding wonderfully forces him to acknowledge that there’s more to the boy. He peels off layer after layer (and not just in a sexy way, but we’ll get to that) to learn that no one but our crushes (in our heads) is one dimensional. There’s always more to the story and usually you have to put in the work to discover that.
Frankly, you could venture to say that Hudson also created a personality. Not necessarily a false one, just one centered by his background, by what he was taught to believe in. And yes, that does sound just like a person growing up around other people, but it plays a grander role in a gay person’s life. We have to hide certain aspects of ourselves for protection, accentuate other, safer parts to fit in.
That’s also exactly the idea behind the camp in the book. A safe haven for LGBT youth where they can be themselves, where they don’t have to fear to paint their nails, to hold a girl’s hand, to be the loudest version of themselves they possibly can. A summer camp created with love and care, with no place for shame. A groundbreaking concept, really.
But even in this little bubble not everything is always perfect. The best part, though, is that none of those hiccups, none of the conflict ever feels like it’s just there for plot reasons. Camp is largely character-driven, with Randy and his very strong voice at the center, and the whole novel really is about growth and acceptance, and reevaluating your world views. The whole cast is beautifully fleshed out, even down to catch phrases and tiny mannerisms. (Mark’s constant mentioning of his therapist might have been one of my favourite things. And Randy’s "sweetie" only used at certain times was absolute gold.)
Groundbreaking ideas aren’t in Camp just as part of the setting, though. There’s also the book’s approach to sex. If you’ve read any YA novels before, you know that sex is usually glossed over, not seen as something “clean” that teens should be reading about, but rather as something that has to be spoken about only in hushed voices. That’s not the case here. The book is aware it’s about teenagers and that teenagers can be horny, too. It doesn’t even bother with the fade-to-black kind of thing, just flat out describes sex scenes in the same detail all the other scenes get. Not all teens have sex at sixteen, sure, but some of them do and it’s really refreshing to see a book that acknowledges that and never tries to shame them for it (especially given it’s gay sex).
Camp might seem like a gay rom-com at the first glance, but it’s so much more than that. Yes, it’s absolutely hilarious at times; yes, the romance is a vital part of it; yes, it appears sweet and simply fun. But underneath it’s shimmery-glimmery facade, it’s a story of growth and learning to love yourself, each and every part.
June 23, 2020
Many thanks to Alex at Little Brown Books for Young Readers for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review
This is one of my favorite books that deals with mental illness! To see the others and to here me ramble about my brain, watch my video, A Brief Trip Inside My Mind!
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"Honey, I’ve been around the block a lot longer than you have, and I promise you, a man who makes you change to be with him isn’t worth it."
When I received this book in the mail, I didn’t expect it to be such a strong and bright beam of light in an otherwise bland week of reading.
It covered so many things that are near and dear to my heart. From toxic masculinity to body image, this book is completely full of invaluable messages and joy.
So, what’s this book about?
Every year, a group of LGBTQIA teens gets together at the esteemed Camp Outland. This year, Randy, who is now going as “Dell” has come to camp as a completely different person. He used to be a femme, painting his nails and participating in theater, but this year, he has plans to woo Hudson, his long-time crush. To do this, he has bulked up and dressed like a straight guy. After his plan succeeds, Randy (Del?) is thrilled but how long can he keep up his mask of masculinity (see what I did there)?
➵ Randy ‘Del’ Kapplehoff - For the rest of this review, I will be referring to this character as Randy, even though he was technically ‘Del’ for 90% of the book. Not that either name was used as this was told in first person POV. My heart broke for Randy. Exploration of self and forcing change to that self to get outward validation are some things that have been a big (and somewhat negative) part of my life. More on my the sh*t-show that is adolescence in a minute!
➵ Hudson Aaronson-Lim - I am surprised to say that I didn’t crush on Hudson at all. There was not a single drop of attraction.
I know… it’s weird. I think it’s because he was… I don’t want to say masculine because it wasn’t a masculinity/femininity thing. I think he was just… a jerk? I’ll talk about his character arc in the spoiler-y section.
➵ George - There is absolutely nothing hateable about George. He’s funny, good looking, and a kind. If I had to choose one character in this book to
I think the biggest theme in this book is…
It’s cheesy, sure. But we need to hear this message. Still. Humanity is making strides with kindness and equality but we are far from done. And so, until the world is perfect, we will need stories with these messages.
Throughout the story, Randy is constantly pushing his true self down which broke my heart because I used to do that. Not to the extent that Randy did but I did it. Before I came out (March 2019), I was pushing down my inner gay into the darkest recesses of my mind, which ended up making me depressed and miserable (it also almost ruined my faith but I won’t get into that because religion was/is a whole spiel.) The book also briefly covers body image and body dysmorphia but VERY briefly, which is fine. It had other things it wanted to focus on but I did appreciate the bits—although short—that were included. In the end, I think that everyone should know that, if you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody.
I won’t tell you to “Just be yourself” because if it was that easy… well, I wouldn’t have the scars and stories that I have today. I can tell you, without a doubt, your biggest critic… is you. Once you realize that, you’ll start to learn which voices are yours and which are our demon’s. I won’t—can’t—promise that the demon’s voice will ever go away but I can promise that, with perseverance, medication, and a whole lotta therapy, the voice will become quieter and quieter until it’s barely a hum.
OKAY, sappy talk over let’s talk about ROMANCCEEEEEEEEEE.
Horny yet?
The romance between Hudson and Randy was not my favorite. It was very insta-lovey, which I didn’t mind too much, but the fact that Randy felt he had to change to be loved was just heartbreaking and made the whole dynamic between them leave a sour taste in my mouth. That said,
Another thing, the representation in this is
Also, why the f**k was this:
a result when I searched 'superb gif'. Anyways, so much good representation. Transgender! Lesbian! Gay! Pan! Bi! Demisexual! YOU NAME IT, THEY IDENTIFY AS IT! There was also a ton of good discussion of toxic masculinity and gender roles. I wish there were books like this for fetus Tucker because when I was little I was told:
-’Don’t hold your books that way. Hold them like a man.’
-’No you can’t wear dresses, nail polish, or makeup. Those are for girls.’
-’Men must always protect women.’
No joke. What neither I nor my parents knew was that I was ‘undifferentiated-androgynous’ or in normal terms, equal parts feminine and masculine / neither feminine nor masculine. Basically, I didn’t (don’t) want to be assigned a gender role. I like just being a bookish and anxious teenager who is gay AF.
Finally, I really loved the setting of summer camp. It is such an underused trope which is amazing for so many reasons! Secretive meetings in the middle of the night! Friends! Campfires! OHMYGOD S’MORESSSSSSSSSSSS
Well, now I’m hungry.
Overall, this book was hilarious, romantic, and sweet but also covered some heavy yet important themes. I cannot recommend it enough…
Imma go get a s’more now.
Bottom Line:
4.5 Stars
Age Rating: [ R ]
Content Screening (Spoilers) - Educational Value (4/5) - [Proper terminology for the LGTBQIA community, brief history of gay & trans rights.] ~ Positive Messages (4/5) - [Be yourself.] ~ Violence (1/5) - [Brief discussion of homophobic & transphobic violence] ~ Langauge (3/5) - [F**k, d*ck, b*tch, sh*t, damn] ~ Sex (5/5) - [Detailed discussion of sex, detailed intercourse/kissing scenes, sexual jokes and themes throughout the entire book] ~ Drinking/Drugs (1/5) - [Discussion estrogen/testerone injections]
Trigger and Content Warning - Transphobia, Homophobia, Gender dysphoria, Body dysphoria, use of the word ‘f*gg*t’ (all in a negative light)
Reps: [Transgender, Gay, Lesbian, Demisexual, Women of Color, PTSD, Veteran]
Cover: 4/5 ~ Characters: 4/5 ~ Plot: 5/5
Publication Date: May 26th, 2020
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Romance/LGBTQIA
And now, the spoiler discussion! SPOILERS ARE COMING! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
[Credit: @pikaole]
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4.5 Stars! OMG THAT WAS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERYONE GO READ IT NOW!!
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i really wish i could have found books like these when i was a smol child. this is such an important topic that we don't see enough of
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October 27, 2025
Randy Kapplehoff waits all year for the summer - because with the summer comes Camp Outland.
This is a camp made for queer teens and it's truly become Randy's home away from home.
There's his best friends from across the country, there's the pure joy of creating a theater production in the matter of weeks...and...there's Hudson.
Huuuudson. Swoon.
But, Randy never even got a chance. Hudson is only into straight-acting guys and Randy is very...not.
Hence: The Plan.
Randy has spent all school year working out and scheming. He's put away his nail polish and musical scripts. He's even picked out a new name - Del.
This summer - Del's going to rock Hudson's world.
Oh. My. Gosh. This one was killer-cute.
Sometimes you just absolutely NEED a book where there's romance, sass and all the right feels.
I absolutely adored Randy. His take on the world was absolutely hilarious and I adored watching him grow and develop.
And Hudson! Poor, poor Hudson had no idea what was coming for him...but it was also soooo what he needed.
All in all - this book was FABULOUS and I cannot wait to see what the author writes next!
YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_reads
September 14, 2020
I bet y'all thought I will hate this based on my updates, and to be honest, I did too for a while, but it was really good, actually.
This book twisted my every braincells.
You know those morally gray characters - no one is fully right but everyone has a point?
The premise of this book is that Hudson dates only butch boys so Randy pretends to be one.
It irritated me in so many levels at first because if you act different to make someone fall in love with you, they won't really fall in love with you. Also, why would you do that to someone? I just couldn't get behind this. Fortunately, no one agreed with him and his best friend often called him out on his bullshit.
But at the same time I couldn't feel sorry for Hudson. He was introduced as the nicest person alive but he was kinda jerk at times. Not to Randy, but still it was not ok. Really not okay. Even if it was because of his parents.
I don't want to be that bitch who brings up the greater good, but this plan actually served it right. It turned out that even if Randy missed the way he lived and the things he did before, he explored a new side of himself. Yes, it was not nice if you see it through Hudson's eyes, but he wasn't a saint either and Randy saved his life with this. Maybe not literally, but he made it less painful for him.
I would pay an embarassing amount of money to be able to go to a camp like this. It was everything.
Also, a sex positive camp? This is some next level shit!
I don't mean it like they encouraged them to have sex, but they knew some of them will have it anyways, so there was always lube and condom everyone could grab. Better be safe and prepared than hiding and making enormous mistakes.
This book twisted my every braincells.
You know those morally gray characters - no one is fully right but everyone has a point?
The premise of this book is that Hudson dates only butch boys so Randy pretends to be one.
It irritated me in so many levels at first because if you act different to make someone fall in love with you, they won't really fall in love with you. Also, why would you do that to someone? I just couldn't get behind this. Fortunately, no one agreed with him and his best friend often called him out on his bullshit.
"We fall in love."
"And then what? You keep being Del the rest of your life?"
"Once we're in love, I'll gradually turn back into Randy."
"The guy he didn't fall in love with."
But at the same time I couldn't feel sorry for Hudson. He was introduced as the nicest person alive but he was kinda jerk at times. Not to Randy, but still it was not ok. Really not okay. Even if it was because of his parents.
I don't want to be that bitch who brings up the greater good, but this plan actually served it right. It turned out that even if Randy missed the way he lived and the things he did before, he explored a new side of himself. Yes, it was not nice if you see it through Hudson's eyes, but he wasn't a saint either and Randy saved his life with this. Maybe not literally, but he made it less painful for him.
I would pay an embarassing amount of money to be able to go to a camp like this. It was everything.
Also, a sex positive camp? This is some next level shit!
I don't mean it like they encouraged them to have sex, but they knew some of them will have it anyways, so there was always lube and condom everyone could grab. Better be safe and prepared than hiding and making enormous mistakes.
June 5, 2021
1.5 stars man. Just bc I am nice
I went into this book thinking "wow, this sounds like a gay mess. That will be fun". Trust me, it was not. I was intrigued by the idea of a queer only summer camp. Personally, coming out and finding myself was a difficult journey for me. I am 18 now and still have all my stuff figured out. I would LOVED a gay summer camp as a kid. But this... this felt like a poly cult, where everybody had sex.
Btw. This review could be a bit spoilery, because I hate this book and at this point I stopped caring.
My problems with this book:
- Kandall, the MC I despised so much, GOT AWAY with EVERYTHING. He ignored and mistreated his friends for a dude AND told the dude nothing but lies are 'half truths', WHICH ARE STILL LIES!!! to make him fall in love with him. His friends are pissed at him. MORE than once, but somehow after some time they are just ok and deal with it? Like, the situation between him and his friends just fades away and never gets mentioned again? I assume they are still pissed at him, because that makes ME happy.
- Okay, I really liked Hudson as a character and he deserved way better than Kandall. Kandall was selfish the whole time, just caring that he impresses Hudson and his 'plan' to make Hudson fall in love with him. That's never the start of a healthy relationship. BUT somehow everything is fine? Because Hudson has a traumatic past?
- I do not wanna spoil Hudsons dramatic past, but lets say it is A LOT. and it makes him realize that he wants to be feminine too. SO he is suddenly ok with Kandall lying to him bc he loves him anyways after dating him for like two weeks? And they have sex. It is horrible.
- NOBODY was single? Like tf? very tropey, but go on I guess. Like all the MCs in this book get a fuck buddy. Lovely.
- Most of the sexual talk was unnecessary. I thought that the romance could at least be a bit wholesome, but NO. I have to read through scenes of two men rubbing their dicks against each other. God no. MY EYES are BURNING. Besides, it felt like all the those sexual scenes felt like out of a fanfic written by a 12 year old. (while they were actually written by a gay man. Congrats)
- I NEED TO MENTION AGAIN HOW UNCOMFORTABLE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW HAIRY GEORGE'S ASS WAS. I get it. He is 16 and puberty is a thing, BUT I will be scared for life. Those conversations were unneeded and they were not funny or body positive at all, just sexual.
- No offense, but one of the counselors is mentally unstable. I do not think he should be guarding or work with kids. In general, I do not like how 'sex positive' this camp is and nobody minding it. The age range of the camp is 12-18 years. Sorry, but this is disgusting. No 12 year old should have to witness to dudes fucking on the kickball field or whatever. The camp rules really lack thought and I wished the book would stay NSFW free, centering around queer friendships instead of trying to win a dude over.
(Serious talk) If you liked this book, pls read this
So, I love tearing books apart I hate, but please know that I am a queer person and I think in the LGBT community, we should ALL support each other, because we already have it hard enough.
I do not think this book does 'defy' toxic masculinity or internalized homophobia. It portrays it wrong and makes it worse. I suffered from internalized homophobia all my life- growing up in a homophobic household and attending catholic private schools all my life. All this book is doing shaming people for being masculine and searching for a reason why they are in the first place.
1. Everybody makes fun out of Kandall for being butch. EVEN when he does it to win a guy over, MAYBE he want to try something new?
2. EVERYBODY in this camp thinks that being masculine = straight acting. That's not rue. That is damaging. Let people be who the fuck they want to be.
3. It is ok to be gay and not liking drag or musicals. I do not like them either. It is genuinely not my thing. Knowing nothing about it and not enjoying watching drag queen races does not make you less gay or straight acting.
4. It is NOT ok to think you are the superior gay bc you are masculine. It is NOT ok to think you are the superior gay bc you are feminine.
5. You should never call a fellow queer person a f*****. Don't. I swear I visit you and give you a lecture.
6. Do not assume just bc a person is portraying masculine that they are damaged and struggle with toxic masculinity and/or internalised homophobia.
7. NEVER make fun of someone just bc they love makeup and judging them for loving and being themselves. You do not wanna be judged either.
*making a dramatic hand gesture*
I think I am done here!
I went into this book thinking "wow, this sounds like a gay mess. That will be fun". Trust me, it was not. I was intrigued by the idea of a queer only summer camp. Personally, coming out and finding myself was a difficult journey for me. I am 18 now and still have all my stuff figured out. I would LOVED a gay summer camp as a kid. But this... this felt like a poly cult, where everybody had sex.
Btw. This review could be a bit spoilery, because I hate this book and at this point I stopped caring.
My problems with this book:
- Kandall, the MC I despised so much, GOT AWAY with EVERYTHING. He ignored and mistreated his friends for a dude AND told the dude nothing but lies are 'half truths', WHICH ARE STILL LIES!!! to make him fall in love with him. His friends are pissed at him. MORE than once, but somehow after some time they are just ok and deal with it? Like, the situation between him and his friends just fades away and never gets mentioned again? I assume they are still pissed at him, because that makes ME happy.
- Okay, I really liked Hudson as a character and he deserved way better than Kandall. Kandall was selfish the whole time, just caring that he impresses Hudson and his 'plan' to make Hudson fall in love with him. That's never the start of a healthy relationship. BUT somehow everything is fine? Because Hudson has a traumatic past?
- I do not wanna spoil Hudsons dramatic past, but lets say it is A LOT. and it makes him realize that he wants to be feminine too. SO he is suddenly ok with Kandall lying to him bc he loves him anyways after dating him for like two weeks? And they have sex. It is horrible.
- NOBODY was single? Like tf? very tropey, but go on I guess. Like all the MCs in this book get a fuck buddy. Lovely.
- Most of the sexual talk was unnecessary. I thought that the romance could at least be a bit wholesome, but NO. I have to read through scenes of two men rubbing their dicks against each other. God no. MY EYES are BURNING. Besides, it felt like all the those sexual scenes felt like out of a fanfic written by a 12 year old. (while they were actually written by a gay man. Congrats)
- I NEED TO MENTION AGAIN HOW UNCOMFORTABLE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW HAIRY GEORGE'S ASS WAS. I get it. He is 16 and puberty is a thing, BUT I will be scared for life. Those conversations were unneeded and they were not funny or body positive at all, just sexual.
- No offense, but one of the counselors is mentally unstable. I do not think he should be guarding or work with kids. In general, I do not like how 'sex positive' this camp is and nobody minding it. The age range of the camp is 12-18 years. Sorry, but this is disgusting. No 12 year old should have to witness to dudes fucking on the kickball field or whatever. The camp rules really lack thought and I wished the book would stay NSFW free, centering around queer friendships instead of trying to win a dude over.
(Serious talk) If you liked this book, pls read this
So, I love tearing books apart I hate, but please know that I am a queer person and I think in the LGBT community, we should ALL support each other, because we already have it hard enough.
I do not think this book does 'defy' toxic masculinity or internalized homophobia. It portrays it wrong and makes it worse. I suffered from internalized homophobia all my life- growing up in a homophobic household and attending catholic private schools all my life. All this book is doing shaming people for being masculine and searching for a reason why they are in the first place.
1. Everybody makes fun out of Kandall for being butch. EVEN when he does it to win a guy over, MAYBE he want to try something new?
2. EVERYBODY in this camp thinks that being masculine = straight acting. That's not rue. That is damaging. Let people be who the fuck they want to be.
3. It is ok to be gay and not liking drag or musicals. I do not like them either. It is genuinely not my thing. Knowing nothing about it and not enjoying watching drag queen races does not make you less gay or straight acting.
4. It is NOT ok to think you are the superior gay bc you are masculine. It is NOT ok to think you are the superior gay bc you are feminine.
5. You should never call a fellow queer person a f*****. Don't. I swear I visit you and give you a lecture.
6. Do not assume just bc a person is portraying masculine that they are damaged and struggle with toxic masculinity and/or internalised homophobia.
7. NEVER make fun of someone just bc they love makeup and judging them for loving and being themselves. You do not wanna be judged either.
*making a dramatic hand gesture*
I think I am done here!
May 31, 2020
Lev Rosen is the king of writing books that queer teens need to read. Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) was educational in the funnest way possible, without ever getting preachy, and I had high hopes for Camp to be similar.
This book broke my heart right away, because it introduces us to Randy, who feels like he has to change who he is to be seen as attractive by the boy he crushes on. He knows that this boy is only into masculine guys, so Randy tries to adopt an alter ego who’s very masculine. With this, the book delves into something I think a lot of queer people struggle with, and that’s gender expectations. Randy has to work through a lot of internalized shit throughout the book, stuff that’s rooted in toxic masculinity and internalized homophobia and the expectations that gay culture puts on guys (although of course everyone is affected by toxic masculinity), like how they all have to be a certain type of gay guy based on their appearance and the way they act, and how there’s a big focus on finding a certain type of person based on traits and appearance rather than just a person you find attractive and click with.
Overall, I’m so impressed with how much the author delved into gay culture and the toxic aspects of it. I love how he shows that there’s so many different ways to be queer, and by that, he’s consciously created a safe space for all queer people, including, for instance, people on the asexual and aromantic spectrum and non-binary people. I really appreciate that, as an aroace non-binary person.
Something I especially loved is how no one interferes with the ways Randy changes. They do voice their concerns, but in a very respectful way. No one oversteps. And they all seem to respect that this is ultimately something Randy needs to figure out himself.
Right from the very first page, this book did so many important things. I love how it destroyed toxic masculinity in such a kind and nuanced way, without villanizing Hudson, the love interest. Because there are a lot of queer kids like Hudson and they deserve to be treated kindly. They’re not bad people because of internalized bullshit they never asked for.
Read this book for a love letter to the queer community in all its diversity. There’s just something so special about reading about a queer summer camp for teens if you consider that a lot of the time, these types of camps would be conversion camps, rather than the safe space Rosen created in the pages of this book. Camp Outland is a big “fuck you” to those. The teens here get a four week vacation from any kind of homophobia and transphobia in their lives, they get queer camp councillors who introduce them into queer culture and queer history, and everything a queer teen would need to know, on top of giving them a space where they can meet other teens like them.
Rep: gay MC, gay Korean-American love interest, gay side characters, demisexual lesbian side character, several transgender side characters, non-binary side character, bisexual side character, several queer side characters of colour
CWs: toxic masculinity, (internalized) homophobia
This book broke my heart right away, because it introduces us to Randy, who feels like he has to change who he is to be seen as attractive by the boy he crushes on. He knows that this boy is only into masculine guys, so Randy tries to adopt an alter ego who’s very masculine. With this, the book delves into something I think a lot of queer people struggle with, and that’s gender expectations. Randy has to work through a lot of internalized shit throughout the book, stuff that’s rooted in toxic masculinity and internalized homophobia and the expectations that gay culture puts on guys (although of course everyone is affected by toxic masculinity), like how they all have to be a certain type of gay guy based on their appearance and the way they act, and how there’s a big focus on finding a certain type of person based on traits and appearance rather than just a person you find attractive and click with.
Overall, I’m so impressed with how much the author delved into gay culture and the toxic aspects of it. I love how he shows that there’s so many different ways to be queer, and by that, he’s consciously created a safe space for all queer people, including, for instance, people on the asexual and aromantic spectrum and non-binary people. I really appreciate that, as an aroace non-binary person.
Something I especially loved is how no one interferes with the ways Randy changes. They do voice their concerns, but in a very respectful way. No one oversteps. And they all seem to respect that this is ultimately something Randy needs to figure out himself.
Right from the very first page, this book did so many important things. I love how it destroyed toxic masculinity in such a kind and nuanced way, without villanizing Hudson, the love interest. Because there are a lot of queer kids like Hudson and they deserve to be treated kindly. They’re not bad people because of internalized bullshit they never asked for.
Read this book for a love letter to the queer community in all its diversity. There’s just something so special about reading about a queer summer camp for teens if you consider that a lot of the time, these types of camps would be conversion camps, rather than the safe space Rosen created in the pages of this book. Camp Outland is a big “fuck you” to those. The teens here get a four week vacation from any kind of homophobia and transphobia in their lives, they get queer camp councillors who introduce them into queer culture and queer history, and everything a queer teen would need to know, on top of giving them a space where they can meet other teens like them.
Rep: gay MC, gay Korean-American love interest, gay side characters, demisexual lesbian side character, several transgender side characters, non-binary side character, bisexual side character, several queer side characters of colour
CWs: toxic masculinity, (internalized) homophobia
March 21, 2021
ESSA RESENHA TERÁ SPOILERS PORQUE EU ESTOU MUITO PUTO.
Esse livro tinha TUDO para dar certo. Ainda assim, conseguiu fazer cada coisa do pior (PIOR) jeito possível.
Comecei “Camp” com a maior expectativa possível: o livro estava na minha seleta lista de leituras para 2021 que eu COM TODA CERTEZA daria 5 estrelas, favoritaria e falaria bem pelo resto da vida. Apesar de não curtir tanto a premissa, entendia que era por um “bem maior”. Topava tudo pela discussão sobre masculinidade tóxica no meio LGBTQIA.
Apenas… Não. Não, não, não, não, não. Não.
A PREMISSA
Randy frequenta anualmente um acampamento para adolescentes LGBTQIA. Por algum motivo misterioso (cof, cof, era um padrão), ele é nutre uma paixonite de longa data por Hudson, um garoto que é o oposto dele: heteronormativo, esportivo, “masc for masc”. Dessa vez, ele está disposto a conquistar o garoto: vai mudar completamente quem ele é. Vai emagrecer, cortar o cabelo, parar de usar maquiagem, se vestir diferente, comprar uma mala com estampa militar. Quando eles estiverem apaixonados, seu plano é contar que tudo era uma mentira — sim, ele está ciente que isso vai dar muito errado.
PONTOS POSITIVOS
É difícil falar de pontos positivos em uma história que não consegue acertar nem quando tenta. Mas vamos tentar:
• O conceito do acampamento para jovens LGBTQIA, apesar de extremamente mal desenvolvida e mal explorada, é interessante, tinha potencial. Parece ser o sonho de todo jovem LGBTQIA;
• Algumas cenas, muito específicas, têm discussões importantes e válidas. Infelizmente, só fazem sentido fora de contexto. Em contexto, são simplesmente hipócritas porque o livro se contradiz o tempo inteiro;
• As cenas de sexo são decentes e têm seu mérito, afinal são muito raras em YAs LGBTQIA.
• Os amigos do Randy são legais! Infelizmente, não são bem desenvolvidos, não têm a profundidade necessária e são deixados completamente de lado. Se tirasse o Randy desse livro, conseguiria imaginar AO MENOS uma nota três estrelas.
PONTOS NEGATIVOS
Todos? Kkkk. Por onde começar?
1. O RELACIONAMENTO
Eu poderia lidar com o protagonista fingindo ser alguém que não é por uma pessoa que ele, no mínimo, conhecesse. Não. Randy acha Hudson bonito, sabe que o corpo dele está no padrão e tem “pena” porque ele age de maneira heteronormativa. Conversaram uma vez, quando Randy aconselhou Hudson no escuro. Desde então, vasculhou todas as redes de Hudson para descobrir como fazer o garoto gostar dele. Apesar de não terem NENHUMA ligação, passa ONZE MESES da sua vida dedicado a mudar seu comportamento por completo para agradar Hudson.
Mas tudo bem. Talvez o passado tenha sido mal contado. Talvez eles tenham alguma ligação real.
Não.
Quanto mais eles conversam, mais fica claro que eles não têm nada a ver um com o outro. Mais fica claro que não têm nenhuma química. Uma das maiores conquistas do autor foi passar mais da metade do livro sem escrever uma cena significante o bastante para convencer o leitor de que, afinal, aquela mentira imensa poderia valer a pena. Quando finalmente há um momento de conexão entre os dois, tudo o que eu queria era que o livro terminasse o mais rápido possível.
2. REPRESENTATIVIDADE?
Falando em conquistas… É de mérito notável, no mínimo, um livro com 98% de personagens LGBTQIA não conseguir ser representativo. Eu explico:
O maior problema aqui é que a história considera apenas dois tipos de gay. O gay “heteronormativo”, esportivo, de camisa polo é o inimigo. Ele não é ele mesmo. Ele está fingindo viver uma vida que não é dele. Já o gay que pinta a unha, usa glitter e gosta de teatros e musicais é o gay certo. Ele é autêntico, sabe quem é, não tem vergonha de se mostrar para o mundo. Se você não se encaixar em nenhuma dessas categorias… talvez você não seja gay como tinha pensado? E é EXATAMENTE por isso que o livro consegue encontrar TODAS as desculpas para justificar o comportamento do protagonista com o Hudson.
O restante dos personagens… Meh. Qualquer outra resenha vai te dizer que esse livro tem pessoas gays, bi (tem?), pan, trans, assexual, não binário etc. entre os personagens. E, sim, tem. O problema é que, além dos garotos gays, nenhum deles tem profundidade. Não tenho problemas com a história não desenvolver CADA UM dos personagens citados, claro. Mas parece que tudo foi colocado só para falar que o livro é “diverso”. Isso fará mais sentido adiante.
3. RAÇA NUNCA É UMA QUESTÃO
Eu citei que o Hudson tem ascendência coreana? O livro também não! Até pelo menos metade do livro, somos levados a acreditar que o Hudson é um garoto branco, gay e heteronormativo. Aí, de repente, ele joga essa informação. E fica por isso mesmo.
É curioso, no mínimo, como um livro sobre explorar as problemáticas da comunidade LGBTQIA consegue ignorar completamente o tópico de raça. A interseccionalidade não existe aqui. Há, sim, vários personagens que não são brancos, mas nem por um momento essa camada é discutida. A experiência de pessoas não brancas LGBTQIA é igualada à de pessoas brancas LGBTQIA.
Para não ser injusto, há UM momento em que raça é uma questão nesse livro: quando estão discutindo sobre as “restrições” nas bios de usuários de aplicativos de namoro, falam sobre como é errado falar que você não ficaria com alguém devido à nacionalidade da pessoa ou algo assim. Essa é uma das cenas que me referi nos pontos positivos, aquela que no contexto parece hipocrisia (considerando o que é dito antes e depois disso).
4. ESCRITA
A esse ponto, você já deve ter desconfiado que o livro é mal escrito. Esse tópico só está aqui para confirmar isso. Já no primeiro capítulo, somos apresentados àquele narrador que pensa que o leitor é burro e não consegue entender nuances: Randy repete MUITAS VEZES que está mudando pelo Hudson, que sabe como isso é errado e que não vai ser para sempre. Todas as interações no começo do livro são sobre isso. É um saco.
E nem me faça falar sobre as cenas esquisitas, como a que Randy começa a falar sobre como queria transformar o suor do Hudson numa vela aromática para que pudesse cheirar sempre.
5. GORDOFOBIA
O protagonista muda completamente quem ele é para ficar com o Hudson. A todo momento, de seu jeito torto, o texto nos lembra como o que ele fez é errado. Como ele não devia ter perdido sua essência, como não devia ter começado a agir diferente. A única coisa que não é questionada é o Randy ter emagrecido só para surpreender o garoto. Afinal, agora ele está gostoso e todo mundo vai querer ficar com ele. Palavras do livro.
6. ONDE ESTÃO OS ADULTOS??????
Essa é uma pergunta que talvez você, caro leitor, esteja se fazendo. E eu respondo: pelo livro inteiro. Todo momento, há profissionais do acampamento acompanhando o pessoal, dando aulas, coordenando os esportes… Apesar disso, nenhum considera ter uma conversa com o Randy sobre o que ele está fazendo. Eles estão completamente cientes que o garoto está completamente obcecado pelo Hudson, que mudou completamente só porque acha o menino gostoso, que está se recusando a participar de suas atividades favoritas. E ninguém, NINGUÉM, senta com o Randy para falar sobre isso.
Agora, considere: é um acampamento LGBTQIA. Muitos dos adolescentes que estão ali vão precisar de um acompanhamento psicológico, de pessoas que os ajudem a enfrentar seus traumas. São jovens que estão numa fase conturbada, que ouviram coisas horríveis em casa, que pela primeira vez têm a oportunidade de entenderem quem são. Mesmo assim, “Camp” reduze seu acampamento a um conjunto de atividades programadas nas férias.
Isso me deixou muito irritado, porque era o MÍNIMO. As críticas à postura do Randy são algo como “não concordo com o que você está fazendo e acho que você vai se dar mal, mas recomendo que faça tal coisa!”
7. AS MENTIRAS
Randy mente o livro inteiro intencionalmente. Quando as coisas dão errado, ele é pintado como a vítima, e Hudson, como o vilão. Não estou dizendo que Hudson nunca tenha errado, mas tudo o que ele fez é BEM diferente do que alguém que fingiu ser uma pessoa que não é só para conquistá-lo.
Depois que os dois se desentendem e Hudson o xinga de “faggot” (palavra extremamente pejorativa para se referir a pessoas LGBTQIA), Randy fica puto, agressivo, indignado. Ele tinha motivo para ficar chateado e ofendido, sim, mas isso faz com que tudo o que ele fez seja esquecido? Depois que ele mentiu por dias, manipulou completamente um relacionamento, ele é visto com nenhuma culpa? Sério? É um absurdo sem tamanho, especialmente quando você considera que ele NUNCA se desculpa pelo o que fez.
VEREDITO
“Camp” desperdiça todo seu potencial ao entregar um protagonista egoísta e obsessivo, ignorar nuances intrínsecas ao movimento LGBTQIA e falhar em sua única missão: contar uma história verdadeiramente acolhedora.
A ÚNICA COISA BOA
Eu poderia continuar falando desse livro por horas. Há tempos não me sentia tão INTENSO por um livro. E essa é a única coisa boa dessa leitura: eu precisava de algo que me fizesse querer voltar a discutir histórias, sejam elas boas ou não. Depois de “Camp”, pelo menos, me sinto motivado a ler outras coisas.
Esse livro tinha TUDO para dar certo. Ainda assim, conseguiu fazer cada coisa do pior (PIOR) jeito possível.
Comecei “Camp” com a maior expectativa possível: o livro estava na minha seleta lista de leituras para 2021 que eu COM TODA CERTEZA daria 5 estrelas, favoritaria e falaria bem pelo resto da vida. Apesar de não curtir tanto a premissa, entendia que era por um “bem maior”. Topava tudo pela discussão sobre masculinidade tóxica no meio LGBTQIA.
Apenas… Não. Não, não, não, não, não. Não.
A PREMISSA
Randy frequenta anualmente um acampamento para adolescentes LGBTQIA. Por algum motivo misterioso (cof, cof, era um padrão), ele é nutre uma paixonite de longa data por Hudson, um garoto que é o oposto dele: heteronormativo, esportivo, “masc for masc”. Dessa vez, ele está disposto a conquistar o garoto: vai mudar completamente quem ele é. Vai emagrecer, cortar o cabelo, parar de usar maquiagem, se vestir diferente, comprar uma mala com estampa militar. Quando eles estiverem apaixonados, seu plano é contar que tudo era uma mentira — sim, ele está ciente que isso vai dar muito errado.
PONTOS POSITIVOS
É difícil falar de pontos positivos em uma história que não consegue acertar nem quando tenta. Mas vamos tentar:
• O conceito do acampamento para jovens LGBTQIA, apesar de extremamente mal desenvolvida e mal explorada, é interessante, tinha potencial. Parece ser o sonho de todo jovem LGBTQIA;
• Algumas cenas, muito específicas, têm discussões importantes e válidas. Infelizmente, só fazem sentido fora de contexto. Em contexto, são simplesmente hipócritas porque o livro se contradiz o tempo inteiro;
• As cenas de sexo são decentes e têm seu mérito, afinal são muito raras em YAs LGBTQIA.
• Os amigos do Randy são legais! Infelizmente, não são bem desenvolvidos, não têm a profundidade necessária e são deixados completamente de lado. Se tirasse o Randy desse livro, conseguiria imaginar AO MENOS uma nota três estrelas.
PONTOS NEGATIVOS
Todos? Kkkk. Por onde começar?
1. O RELACIONAMENTO
Eu poderia lidar com o protagonista fingindo ser alguém que não é por uma pessoa que ele, no mínimo, conhecesse. Não. Randy acha Hudson bonito, sabe que o corpo dele está no padrão e tem “pena” porque ele age de maneira heteronormativa. Conversaram uma vez, quando Randy aconselhou Hudson no escuro. Desde então, vasculhou todas as redes de Hudson para descobrir como fazer o garoto gostar dele. Apesar de não terem NENHUMA ligação, passa ONZE MESES da sua vida dedicado a mudar seu comportamento por completo para agradar Hudson.
Mas tudo bem. Talvez o passado tenha sido mal contado. Talvez eles tenham alguma ligação real.
Não.
Quanto mais eles conversam, mais fica claro que eles não têm nada a ver um com o outro. Mais fica claro que não têm nenhuma química. Uma das maiores conquistas do autor foi passar mais da metade do livro sem escrever uma cena significante o bastante para convencer o leitor de que, afinal, aquela mentira imensa poderia valer a pena. Quando finalmente há um momento de conexão entre os dois, tudo o que eu queria era que o livro terminasse o mais rápido possível.
2. REPRESENTATIVIDADE?
Falando em conquistas… É de mérito notável, no mínimo, um livro com 98% de personagens LGBTQIA não conseguir ser representativo. Eu explico:
O maior problema aqui é que a história considera apenas dois tipos de gay. O gay “heteronormativo”, esportivo, de camisa polo é o inimigo. Ele não é ele mesmo. Ele está fingindo viver uma vida que não é dele. Já o gay que pinta a unha, usa glitter e gosta de teatros e musicais é o gay certo. Ele é autêntico, sabe quem é, não tem vergonha de se mostrar para o mundo. Se você não se encaixar em nenhuma dessas categorias… talvez você não seja gay como tinha pensado? E é EXATAMENTE por isso que o livro consegue encontrar TODAS as desculpas para justificar o comportamento do protagonista com o Hudson.
O restante dos personagens… Meh. Qualquer outra resenha vai te dizer que esse livro tem pessoas gays, bi (tem?), pan, trans, assexual, não binário etc. entre os personagens. E, sim, tem. O problema é que, além dos garotos gays, nenhum deles tem profundidade. Não tenho problemas com a história não desenvolver CADA UM dos personagens citados, claro. Mas parece que tudo foi colocado só para falar que o livro é “diverso”. Isso fará mais sentido adiante.
3. RAÇA NUNCA É UMA QUESTÃO
Eu citei que o Hudson tem ascendência coreana? O livro também não! Até pelo menos metade do livro, somos levados a acreditar que o Hudson é um garoto branco, gay e heteronormativo. Aí, de repente, ele joga essa informação. E fica por isso mesmo.
É curioso, no mínimo, como um livro sobre explorar as problemáticas da comunidade LGBTQIA consegue ignorar completamente o tópico de raça. A interseccionalidade não existe aqui. Há, sim, vários personagens que não são brancos, mas nem por um momento essa camada é discutida. A experiência de pessoas não brancas LGBTQIA é igualada à de pessoas brancas LGBTQIA.
Para não ser injusto, há UM momento em que raça é uma questão nesse livro: quando estão discutindo sobre as “restrições” nas bios de usuários de aplicativos de namoro, falam sobre como é errado falar que você não ficaria com alguém devido à nacionalidade da pessoa ou algo assim. Essa é uma das cenas que me referi nos pontos positivos, aquela que no contexto parece hipocrisia (considerando o que é dito antes e depois disso).
4. ESCRITA
A esse ponto, você já deve ter desconfiado que o livro é mal escrito. Esse tópico só está aqui para confirmar isso. Já no primeiro capítulo, somos apresentados àquele narrador que pensa que o leitor é burro e não consegue entender nuances: Randy repete MUITAS VEZES que está mudando pelo Hudson, que sabe como isso é errado e que não vai ser para sempre. Todas as interações no começo do livro são sobre isso. É um saco.
E nem me faça falar sobre as cenas esquisitas, como a que Randy começa a falar sobre como queria transformar o suor do Hudson numa vela aromática para que pudesse cheirar sempre.
5. GORDOFOBIA
O protagonista muda completamente quem ele é para ficar com o Hudson. A todo momento, de seu jeito torto, o texto nos lembra como o que ele fez é errado. Como ele não devia ter perdido sua essência, como não devia ter começado a agir diferente. A única coisa que não é questionada é o Randy ter emagrecido só para surpreender o garoto. Afinal, agora ele está gostoso e todo mundo vai querer ficar com ele. Palavras do livro.
6. ONDE ESTÃO OS ADULTOS??????
Essa é uma pergunta que talvez você, caro leitor, esteja se fazendo. E eu respondo: pelo livro inteiro. Todo momento, há profissionais do acampamento acompanhando o pessoal, dando aulas, coordenando os esportes… Apesar disso, nenhum considera ter uma conversa com o Randy sobre o que ele está fazendo. Eles estão completamente cientes que o garoto está completamente obcecado pelo Hudson, que mudou completamente só porque acha o menino gostoso, que está se recusando a participar de suas atividades favoritas. E ninguém, NINGUÉM, senta com o Randy para falar sobre isso.
Agora, considere: é um acampamento LGBTQIA. Muitos dos adolescentes que estão ali vão precisar de um acompanhamento psicológico, de pessoas que os ajudem a enfrentar seus traumas. São jovens que estão numa fase conturbada, que ouviram coisas horríveis em casa, que pela primeira vez têm a oportunidade de entenderem quem são. Mesmo assim, “Camp” reduze seu acampamento a um conjunto de atividades programadas nas férias.
Isso me deixou muito irritado, porque era o MÍNIMO. As críticas à postura do Randy são algo como “não concordo com o que você está fazendo e acho que você vai se dar mal, mas recomendo que faça tal coisa!”
7. AS MENTIRAS
Randy mente o livro inteiro intencionalmente. Quando as coisas dão errado, ele é pintado como a vítima, e Hudson, como o vilão. Não estou dizendo que Hudson nunca tenha errado, mas tudo o que ele fez é BEM diferente do que alguém que fingiu ser uma pessoa que não é só para conquistá-lo.
Depois que os dois se desentendem e Hudson o xinga de “faggot” (palavra extremamente pejorativa para se referir a pessoas LGBTQIA), Randy fica puto, agressivo, indignado. Ele tinha motivo para ficar chateado e ofendido, sim, mas isso faz com que tudo o que ele fez seja esquecido? Depois que ele mentiu por dias, manipulou completamente um relacionamento, ele é visto com nenhuma culpa? Sério? É um absurdo sem tamanho, especialmente quando você considera que ele NUNCA se desculpa pelo o que fez.
VEREDITO
“Camp” desperdiça todo seu potencial ao entregar um protagonista egoísta e obsessivo, ignorar nuances intrínsecas ao movimento LGBTQIA e falhar em sua única missão: contar uma história verdadeiramente acolhedora.
A ÚNICA COISA BOA
Eu poderia continuar falando desse livro por horas. Há tempos não me sentia tão INTENSO por um livro. E essa é a única coisa boa dessa leitura: eu precisava de algo que me fizesse querer voltar a discutir histórias, sejam elas boas ou não. Depois de “Camp”, pelo menos, me sinto motivado a ler outras coisas.
July 23, 2020
3.5 stars
When I saw L.C. Rosen had a new book out, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Last year I read 'Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) and I loved it so much! While Camp wasn't quite as great for me, I still enjoyed it!
Camp centers around Randall who is spending his 5th summer at Camp Outland and this year, he's going to get the guy he's been in love with all those summers. The only problem is, to get Hudson's attention Randy will have to turn into Del. Randy loves musicals, nail polish and is gloriously himself. Del is into sports and is much more masculine.
I really liked Del/Randy, but Hudson wasn't my favorite character. He never really grew on me, which is probably why I didn't fall in love with this book. I did love Randy's bff George. He was wonderful! Overall, I liked this book and am glad I read it. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
When I saw L.C. Rosen had a new book out, I knew I had to get my hands on it. Last year I read 'Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) and I loved it so much! While Camp wasn't quite as great for me, I still enjoyed it!
Camp centers around Randall who is spending his 5th summer at Camp Outland and this year, he's going to get the guy he's been in love with all those summers. The only problem is, to get Hudson's attention Randy will have to turn into Del. Randy loves musicals, nail polish and is gloriously himself. Del is into sports and is much more masculine.
I really liked Del/Randy, but Hudson wasn't my favorite character. He never really grew on me, which is probably why I didn't fall in love with this book. I did love Randy's bff George. He was wonderful! Overall, I liked this book and am glad I read it. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 17, 2020
3.5 stars.
Should you go changing to try and please someone else? That question is at the core of Camp , a new YA novel from L.C. Rosen (aka Lev Rosen).
This is an adorable yet thought-provoking look at gender and sexual identity and the prejudices and misconceptions that exist even among LBGTQ+ people at times. It’s also a powerful statement about loving yourself for who you are.
Ever since he was 12, Randy has loved to go to Camp Outland each summer. A camp for queer teens, it gives him and his friends the opportunity to be their authentic selves—whether that’s competing for a role in the summer musical or playing sports, painting their nails and wearing whatever they’d like, and even hooking up with their crushes.
Randy has had a serious crush on Hudson, the dreamiest camper, for years. But Hudson only likes masculine-acting bros, and drama- and nail polish-loving Randy doesn’t fit the bill. Plus Hudson usually hooks up with guys and leaves them quickly thereafter, but Randy is determined to have an LTR with him.
So this summer, now that’s he’s 16, Randy has decided to change things up. He’s shaved his head, bulked up, and is calling himself “Del.” He’s giving up drama, nail polish, and all of the things he’s loved about camp, but he believes that if he can get Hudson to fall for him, it will all be worth it. His friends go along even if they don't agree with his plan.
But as they grow closer, Randy wonders just how much he needs to change for love. Is their relationship even as solid as he hopes it is if he has to lie about who he is? And why is Hudson so insistent only on "masc4masc"?
This was an adorable book that raised some weighty issues. Boy, do I wish that a camp like this existed when I was a teenager! I thought the story dragged a little bit, but I really enjoyed it and it made me think.
Another enjoyable book for my month of Pride Reads!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Should you go changing to try and please someone else? That question is at the core of Camp , a new YA novel from L.C. Rosen (aka Lev Rosen).
This is an adorable yet thought-provoking look at gender and sexual identity and the prejudices and misconceptions that exist even among LBGTQ+ people at times. It’s also a powerful statement about loving yourself for who you are.
Ever since he was 12, Randy has loved to go to Camp Outland each summer. A camp for queer teens, it gives him and his friends the opportunity to be their authentic selves—whether that’s competing for a role in the summer musical or playing sports, painting their nails and wearing whatever they’d like, and even hooking up with their crushes.
Randy has had a serious crush on Hudson, the dreamiest camper, for years. But Hudson only likes masculine-acting bros, and drama- and nail polish-loving Randy doesn’t fit the bill. Plus Hudson usually hooks up with guys and leaves them quickly thereafter, but Randy is determined to have an LTR with him.
So this summer, now that’s he’s 16, Randy has decided to change things up. He’s shaved his head, bulked up, and is calling himself “Del.” He’s giving up drama, nail polish, and all of the things he’s loved about camp, but he believes that if he can get Hudson to fall for him, it will all be worth it. His friends go along even if they don't agree with his plan.
But as they grow closer, Randy wonders just how much he needs to change for love. Is their relationship even as solid as he hopes it is if he has to lie about who he is? And why is Hudson so insistent only on "masc4masc"?
This was an adorable book that raised some weighty issues. Boy, do I wish that a camp like this existed when I was a teenager! I thought the story dragged a little bit, but I really enjoyed it and it made me think.
Another enjoyable book for my month of Pride Reads!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
August 28, 2021
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3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)
Because last year I read, and really enjoyed, Lev A.C. Rosen's Jack of Hearts, I decided to give Camp a go, even if I was worried that the whole premise of 'pretending to be different to make someone fall in love with you' would be cring-y. Within a few pages however I was rooting for Randy Kapplehoff's and his rather theatrical 'plan'.
First off: I don't think I've ever read a book with some many queer character. Gay, non-binary, ace, transgender, demisexual...this is a wonderfully inclusive novel. Hurray!
While Camp follows a somewhat clichéd plot—not-so-popular-theatre kid has a glow-up and tries to make the hot guy fall for him—the setting (summer camp), characters, and the humour make this novel worth a read. While I definitely felt the chemistry between Randy (Del) and Hudson (their flirting was on point), I simply adored Randy's friendships. George and Ashleigh makes such an impact on Randy's story. And although they are there to help him, advise him, and occasionally make fun of him, they are also given their own arcs.
While there are quite a few silly moments here and there, for the most part I found Camp to be hilarious. Rosen portrays the highs and lows of being a teenager. He really allows his characters to act like teens: they make mistakes, they are awkward, they are unsure of who they and who they want to be. Rosen also manages to include thought-provoking discussions about toxic masculinity and gender conformities.
Rosen also manages to make minor characters, such as Mark, stand out. They all have distinctive personalities and different ways of expressing their identity. Rosen's depiction of sex is so refreshingly frank (it would be nice if YA books stopped treating sex as taboo).
The only thing I didn’t particularly like were the stars/galaxy metaphors (Randy feels ‘filled with stars’ one too many times).
Camp is a funny read perfect for the summer. Randy's absorbing narration made me all the more invested in his story.
3.5 stars (rounded up to 4)
Because last year I read, and really enjoyed, Lev A.C. Rosen's Jack of Hearts, I decided to give Camp a go, even if I was worried that the whole premise of 'pretending to be different to make someone fall in love with you' would be cring-y. Within a few pages however I was rooting for Randy Kapplehoff's and his rather theatrical 'plan'.
First off: I don't think I've ever read a book with some many queer character. Gay, non-binary, ace, transgender, demisexual...this is a wonderfully inclusive novel. Hurray!
While Camp follows a somewhat clichéd plot—not-so-popular-theatre kid has a glow-up and tries to make the hot guy fall for him—the setting (summer camp), characters, and the humour make this novel worth a read. While I definitely felt the chemistry between Randy (Del) and Hudson (their flirting was on point), I simply adored Randy's friendships. George and Ashleigh makes such an impact on Randy's story. And although they are there to help him, advise him, and occasionally make fun of him, they are also given their own arcs.
While there are quite a few silly moments here and there, for the most part I found Camp to be hilarious. Rosen portrays the highs and lows of being a teenager. He really allows his characters to act like teens: they make mistakes, they are awkward, they are unsure of who they and who they want to be. Rosen also manages to include thought-provoking discussions about toxic masculinity and gender conformities.
Rosen also manages to make minor characters, such as Mark, stand out. They all have distinctive personalities and different ways of expressing their identity. Rosen's depiction of sex is so refreshingly frank (it would be nice if YA books stopped treating sex as taboo).
The only thing I didn’t particularly like were the stars/galaxy metaphors (Randy feels ‘filled with stars’ one too many times).
Camp is a funny read perfect for the summer. Randy's absorbing narration made me all the more invested in his story.
July 2, 2020
July 02, 2020: Camp is an incredible queer story with a diverse ensemble of characters who collectively have fun while destroying toxic masculinity, making epic friendships, and growing to be their most authentic self. It's both insightful and educational through its aim to break stereotypes around LGBTQIA+ as well as appreciate them if that's what one really connects to as a personality.
[A lengthy af review will follow one day.]
June 04, 2020: This is one of the best queer books EVER.
May 3, 2020: I'm so ready to read about a summer camp for queer teens. I received a digital copy of this via Netgalley so thank you, Penguin Random House UK Children's!
April 16, 2020: What's not to be excited about a queer book that promises to destroy toxic masculinity?
[A lengthy af review will follow one day.]
June 04, 2020: This is one of the best queer books EVER.
May 3, 2020: I'm so ready to read about a summer camp for queer teens. I received a digital copy of this via Netgalley so thank you, Penguin Random House UK Children's!
April 16, 2020: What's not to be excited about a queer book that promises to destroy toxic masculinity?
June 13, 2020
3.5 stars
September 25, 2024
It’s pretty obvi why the banning bastards don’t want this one on the shelves since it not only is about highly horny teens in a camp where the counselors all seem to be accepting of the fact that smexuals will be occurring, but said sexy times also are fully on page in detail. (I’ll be the first to admit, I tend to prefer my fictional intercourse to be of the fade-to-black style, unless it involves motorcycle men or werewolves, but also I don’t judge others’ reading proclivities.)
So like I said, this story is about a group of kids all attending queer camp for the summer. They do the usual camp stuff like capture the flag and color wars and a talent show. This one also features a big end-of-camp musical in the form of Bye Bye Birdie. Randy has been coming to camp for years now and was always a theater kid who secretly pined for the affections of the jock, Hudson. In the past year Randy has morphed into “Del” – not only dropping some pounds, but also morphing into Hudson’s “masc” type of potential paramour. Randy . . . er, Del hopes this summer will be the one where he finally gets Hudson to fall for him – and also break Hudson’s playboy cycle of only dating boys until they’ve become another notch in his bedpost. But mainly the moral of the story is you shouldn’t have to change who are you to make someone like you along with a side of . . . .
Really my only complaint about Camp is it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long for as simple a tale as it was telling. Randy’s friends and their cabin counselor were all great (as was Hudson’s friend, Brad). This would have worked a lot better for me if more their individual stories had been told as well instead of focusing only on Randy and Hudson.
3.5 Stars
Read
December 1, 2019Oh oh oh I adored so many things about this that I'm overwhelmed just trying to talk about it. My appreciation for Lev Rosen as a queer YA author is just through the freaking roof. As with JACK, I really, really appreciate the conversations this book has, the identities it respects, the sexual transparency, and the general love letter-ness to queer spaces.
May 28, 2020
The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5/5 Stars
Full review HERE
As for Jack of Hearts, Rosen's previous book, I had much fun reading this novel! I enjoyed the setting, a camp where queer kids are free to be and express themselves how they want, it was such a nice thing to read and I very much appreciated every single counselor that helped and guided the kids, they were amazing.
The main themes of this book were very interesting, especially for a young adult novel. The book deals with toxic masculinity, gender-bending and gender roles and it does so in a clear, but also very effective way. I liked how everything was explained properly, also to the characters that didn't understand it at first.
So, why am I giving this 3 stars? Because I didn't like the main couple and I'm so sad about this! I wanted to like them, but something was just off. I was glad about the ending, but I think it was way too quick how everything was resolved. I think that some things just take a little more time, it felt a bit rushed to me.
If you're looking for a summery read about queer kids who get to come out of their shell and be their true selves, this is definitely the book for you!
3.5/5 Stars
Full review HERE
As for Jack of Hearts, Rosen's previous book, I had much fun reading this novel! I enjoyed the setting, a camp where queer kids are free to be and express themselves how they want, it was such a nice thing to read and I very much appreciated every single counselor that helped and guided the kids, they were amazing.
The main themes of this book were very interesting, especially for a young adult novel. The book deals with toxic masculinity, gender-bending and gender roles and it does so in a clear, but also very effective way. I liked how everything was explained properly, also to the characters that didn't understand it at first.
So, why am I giving this 3 stars? Because I didn't like the main couple and I'm so sad about this! I wanted to like them, but something was just off. I was glad about the ending, but I think it was way too quick how everything was resolved. I think that some things just take a little more time, it felt a bit rushed to me.
If you're looking for a summery read about queer kids who get to come out of their shell and be their true selves, this is definitely the book for you!
July 10, 2020
DNF at 50%
This book just wasn't for me. I really enjoyed the build-up to the romance but other reviewers have said what I'm going to say better. The romance is built on a lie. Our main character transforms himself into a totally different person so much to the point that his crush thinks he's a new person at camp. They start dating and he continues the charade. What?! I thought the book had its moments and potential because it discussed judgement from society from being queer but I just lost so much interest. The story was boring and nothing happened to make me go 'aw' so cute so I decided to nip this in the bud and just not finish it.
This book just wasn't for me. I really enjoyed the build-up to the romance but other reviewers have said what I'm going to say better. The romance is built on a lie. Our main character transforms himself into a totally different person so much to the point that his crush thinks he's a new person at camp. They start dating and he continues the charade. What?! I thought the book had its moments and potential because it discussed judgement from society from being queer but I just lost so much interest. The story was boring and nothing happened to make me go 'aw' so cute so I decided to nip this in the bud and just not finish it.
May 3, 2020
I'm crying but like in a cool way
May 20, 2020
There are a number of things that this book is trying to achieve, unfortunately they all fell a bit flat for me.
The characters (majority sixteen year olds) read like mouthpieces for online think pieces. I understand that the author was attempting to create an almost-utopia for LGBTQIAP+ teens and in doing so addressed many aspects of sexuality and gender, but it was very... forced. The whole thing was telltelltell, at no point did I feel like the author trusted me to make my own mind up about the message of the story.
Books about masculinity and the sometimes toxicity of masculinity, are important. And, I think there will be a number of people who get a lot out of the discussion here, but for me there just wasn't anything new being said. I've seen twitter threads with more nuance.
I was also very confused about WHO this book was for? The set-up for the romance is done so in order to make a statement about identity and being yourself, but it's incredibly juvenile and it made me dislike the majority of the characters. I don't know many people who can get invested in a main character or a romance when the entire thing is based on a lie, especially when there is minimal grovelling. Yet, I was able to brush a lot of that off whilst I was reading because these characters were young teenagers, discovering things about themselves - we all did ridiculous things when we were sixteen. Then the tone changes towards the end of the book and we get some rather detailed and graphic sex scenes between the two protagonists. I don't mind sex scenes in YA, in fact I encourage it. Sex is part of growing up and people are way too puritanical about it in literature. However, the content bordered on adult/new adult, which really didn't marry up well with the way that the characters has been presented in the overall plot. Despite the way that the dialogue made them sound like thirty year olds , their actions were so naive and it made them read as a lot younger than sixteen. Maybe that was the point? Sixteen is a weird limbo age where you're kind of torn between being a child and being pulled into a more adult world, with adult choices and adult actions. If so, it wasn't executed very well.
Thanks to Penguin Random House UK for the the advanced copy.
The characters (majority sixteen year olds) read like mouthpieces for online think pieces. I understand that the author was attempting to create an almost-utopia for LGBTQIAP+ teens and in doing so addressed many aspects of sexuality and gender, but it was very... forced. The whole thing was telltelltell, at no point did I feel like the author trusted me to make my own mind up about the message of the story.
Books about masculinity and the sometimes toxicity of masculinity, are important. And, I think there will be a number of people who get a lot out of the discussion here, but for me there just wasn't anything new being said. I've seen twitter threads with more nuance.
I was also very confused about WHO this book was for? The set-up for the romance is done so in order to make a statement about identity and being yourself, but it's incredibly juvenile and it made me dislike the majority of the characters. I don't know many people who can get invested in a main character or a romance when the entire thing is based on a lie, especially when there is minimal grovelling. Yet, I was able to brush a lot of that off whilst I was reading because these characters were young teenagers, discovering things about themselves - we all did ridiculous things when we were sixteen. Then the tone changes towards the end of the book and we get some rather detailed and graphic sex scenes between the two protagonists. I don't mind sex scenes in YA, in fact I encourage it. Sex is part of growing up and people are way too puritanical about it in literature. However, the content bordered on adult/new adult, which really didn't marry up well with the way that the characters has been presented in the overall plot. Despite the way that the dialogue made them sound like thirty year olds , their actions were so naive and it made them read as a lot younger than sixteen. Maybe that was the point? Sixteen is a weird limbo age where you're kind of torn between being a child and being pulled into a more adult world, with adult choices and adult actions. If so, it wasn't executed very well.
Thanks to Penguin Random House UK for the the advanced copy.
August 19, 2020
what an amazing book 😭
May 23, 2020
Is this one of my regular reads? Absolutely not. Changing yourself to get the man (or woman) is something abhorrent in my dictionary. Someone who is not able to love oneself can never find love. So why did I bother reading this novel? Because I wanted to tame this judgemental devil living inside me. As one of the counsellors says in the story, everyone is allowed to make their own mistakes. Isn't that the way we learn?
'Camp' offers a unique take on an oft used plotline with Camp Outland as its setting. It is not every day we get to read a book with an all queer cast and that makes this all the more special. Sure, it is not possible to cover every aspect of the queer spectrum, but considering the length of the novel, the author has done a remarkable job in giving representation to a wide variety of gender orientations. This camp for queer teens is nothing short of paradise.
The main story, as you have guessed already, is the love story between Randy and Hudson. Randy is determined to win over Hudson this year and thus his complete makeover as Del, a masc completely different from the femme personality of Randy. Well, we don't need an oracle to know where his crazy plan will lead to but what matters is the changes that come through this performance.
Simple though it may seem the novel addresses a series of issues a queer teen faces from his own family and also from the society. Seeing that we don't have that many great books in the LGBT genre, this book, without a doubt, is a rare gem. A pure delight from start to finish!
'Camp' offers a unique take on an oft used plotline with Camp Outland as its setting. It is not every day we get to read a book with an all queer cast and that makes this all the more special. Sure, it is not possible to cover every aspect of the queer spectrum, but considering the length of the novel, the author has done a remarkable job in giving representation to a wide variety of gender orientations. This camp for queer teens is nothing short of paradise.
The main story, as you have guessed already, is the love story between Randy and Hudson. Randy is determined to win over Hudson this year and thus his complete makeover as Del, a masc completely different from the femme personality of Randy. Well, we don't need an oracle to know where his crazy plan will lead to but what matters is the changes that come through this performance.
Simple though it may seem the novel addresses a series of issues a queer teen faces from his own family and also from the society. Seeing that we don't have that many great books in the LGBT genre, this book, without a doubt, is a rare gem. A pure delight from start to finish!
March 17, 2020
All of this: Yes.
Yes yes and another yes.
If that book isn’t smashing toxic masculinity then what is? Am I going to recommend this book to every person that looks in my direction? One hundred percent. Do I want to go to a queer camp for 4 weeks and feel as safe and as good as they do? We have a yes again. This book made me feel so okay and so warm, that I wanna read it again as soon as it’s published.
Yes yes and another yes.
If that book isn’t smashing toxic masculinity then what is? Am I going to recommend this book to every person that looks in my direction? One hundred percent. Do I want to go to a queer camp for 4 weeks and feel as safe and as good as they do? We have a yes again. This book made me feel so okay and so warm, that I wanna read it again as soon as it’s published.
May 28, 2020
Two things: this summer camp is wonderful and I need it to be a real place desperately and I am devastated I finished this book, I need many, many sequels.
December 4, 2020
This book was a absolute bloody masterpiece.
November 12, 2020
Plot:
This book follows Randy, a teen attending a camp for LGBTQ+ teens. He’s been attending for years and has always fit right in with the musical theatre kids, performing in the musicals and loving the celebration of queer identity. However, this year he��s decided to trade in nail polish and musicals to fit the masculine stereotype and impress his long time crush, Hunter. Randy, now going by ‘Del’, is buff and straight-passing and immediately catches Hunter’s eye. As the two begin a relationship, Randy has to question how much he’s willing to do for love, and is it even really love if he’s not himself?
My thoughts:
I was expecting a cute, fun, summertime romance with this book and although I definitely got that, I also got so much more. This book explored some important issues within the LGBTQ+ community that I’ve never seen discussed in a book before. It was also just such a lovely celebration of queer culture and identity and a joy to read!
This book was such a fun and addicting read. I was meant to be reading it over 5 days as a buddy read with friends and just couldn’t put it down and ended up finishing much quicker than planned (sorry guys!). The characters were so well-written and three dimensional and funny and just an overall delight to read about. This book is definitely one that celebrates friendship, without the expectation of romance or anything else between two gay guys. Queer friendship is definitely something that I love in books and this one does it so well. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the ‘Del’ - the Randy pretending to be someone else - aspect as much as I did. Although I definitely started off cringing a little I did end up really enjoying his relationship with Hunter and the growth and development of both boys, separately and together.
The book discusses several important issues too: there are camp-wide history lessons and the reader can learn a bit about pre-Stonewall gay history and the movements from that time, these discussions about identity tied in really well with the main plot of the book, too; there is also so much sex positivity which is really great to see in a YA novel, especially as LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education is so lacking, it’s nice to think that this book may help a queer teen out in that aspect as well as many others; there are also ideas of toxic masculinity and the pressure on gay men to appear ‘normal’ (eg. straight) which were an integral part of the novel and so so interesting. This book of course also has so much rep (there is not one significant cishet character and I love that). There’s so much more I could talk about here, as this book truly had some of the most important conversations in it.
This is where I’d usually write about negative points of a book and I’m struggling. All I’d say is that this book has an awful lot of musical references and, as someone who doesn’t know anything about musical theatre, I felt almost left out of the joke? You definitely don’t need to be a fan of musical theatre to enjoy this but I imagine it would really enrich the experience!
Overall, this book was delightful and one I’d definitely recommend. It managed to wrap up some really important conversations in a really sweet, fun story that I loved. I’ve already ordered the author’s other book and it’s definitely got me thinking.
I also talk about books here: youtube | instagram | twitter
*eARC received in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley*
This book follows Randy, a teen attending a camp for LGBTQ+ teens. He’s been attending for years and has always fit right in with the musical theatre kids, performing in the musicals and loving the celebration of queer identity. However, this year he��s decided to trade in nail polish and musicals to fit the masculine stereotype and impress his long time crush, Hunter. Randy, now going by ‘Del’, is buff and straight-passing and immediately catches Hunter’s eye. As the two begin a relationship, Randy has to question how much he’s willing to do for love, and is it even really love if he’s not himself?
My thoughts:
I was expecting a cute, fun, summertime romance with this book and although I definitely got that, I also got so much more. This book explored some important issues within the LGBTQ+ community that I’ve never seen discussed in a book before. It was also just such a lovely celebration of queer culture and identity and a joy to read!
This book was such a fun and addicting read. I was meant to be reading it over 5 days as a buddy read with friends and just couldn’t put it down and ended up finishing much quicker than planned (sorry guys!). The characters were so well-written and three dimensional and funny and just an overall delight to read about. This book is definitely one that celebrates friendship, without the expectation of romance or anything else between two gay guys. Queer friendship is definitely something that I love in books and this one does it so well. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy the ‘Del’ - the Randy pretending to be someone else - aspect as much as I did. Although I definitely started off cringing a little I did end up really enjoying his relationship with Hunter and the growth and development of both boys, separately and together.
The book discusses several important issues too: there are camp-wide history lessons and the reader can learn a bit about pre-Stonewall gay history and the movements from that time, these discussions about identity tied in really well with the main plot of the book, too; there is also so much sex positivity which is really great to see in a YA novel, especially as LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education is so lacking, it’s nice to think that this book may help a queer teen out in that aspect as well as many others; there are also ideas of toxic masculinity and the pressure on gay men to appear ‘normal’ (eg. straight) which were an integral part of the novel and so so interesting. This book of course also has so much rep (there is not one significant cishet character and I love that). There’s so much more I could talk about here, as this book truly had some of the most important conversations in it.
This is where I’d usually write about negative points of a book and I’m struggling. All I’d say is that this book has an awful lot of musical references and, as someone who doesn’t know anything about musical theatre, I felt almost left out of the joke? You definitely don’t need to be a fan of musical theatre to enjoy this but I imagine it would really enrich the experience!
Overall, this book was delightful and one I’d definitely recommend. It managed to wrap up some really important conversations in a really sweet, fun story that I loved. I’ve already ordered the author’s other book and it’s definitely got me thinking.
I also talk about books here: youtube | instagram | twitter
*eARC received in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley*
August 30, 2020
Because it’s what you think, isn’t it? We can be better. You said you meant it as be less of a stereotype. Act more like the straight people. You thought I was better. Just like you—special. I am special, Hudson. I am better.
This book could singlehandedly destroy toxic masculinity and negative stereotypes against the lgbtqia+ community if everyone read and absorbed the wonderful messages within it.
Unfortunately, in most books straight characters are “the norm” and diverse characters are on the sidelines, for comedic relief or as a token diverse character. This book is not most books. Not only does it have mlm representation, but there are lesbian, bisexual, non-binary, demisexual, aromatic and asexual characters as well!
One of the main points of this book is how lgbtqia+ stereotypes are perceived vs how they should be perceived. Unfortunately, people are judged when they follow society's expectations, but also when they don’t align. So I ask, when are people allowed to just be? Whoever they want, however they want? Camp handles this question with grace and in a way that anyone can understand.
In terms of the characters, I love Hudson’s character arc. He’s proof that people’s actions often stem from their experiences at home and that we can grow past who our parents trained us to be.
Randy is also a great character, and I love how he grows as a person throughout this book. His character is really interesting because he is in a position where he loves who he is and loves expressing it, but chooses not to for someone else. His journey towards understanding that people that care about him should care about all of him is a lesson that a lot of people need to hear.
“I just feel stupid’
‘Not stupid,’ George says. ‘A romantic maybe. A dreamer.’
‘A theater kid,’ Ashley says.
‘But never stupid,’ George finishes.”
And of course lets not forget George and Ashleigh! They are the perfect side characters and I feel like I know them because they just feel so real.
Overall: This book is so important for so many reasons. Please read it <3
May 17, 2020
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Maša Tome
I want to start this review by saying: wow! I read Rosen’s Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) last year and loved it to bits, so I jumped at the chance to read his latest novel!
Camp follows Randall Kapplehoff who spends his summers at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens, where he and the friends he made during the years at the camp can be themselves without judgement or weird looks. Randy loves musicals, nail polish, and colourful clothes – but his heart belongs to ‘masc4masc’ Hudson. This year, Randy has a fail-safe plan ready and reinvents himself by becoming ‘Del’, a sporty guy who draws Hudson’s attention right away. Will Randy’s plan work and make Hudson fall for him? And can they really fall in love when both ‘Del and Hudson are keeping secrets?
Now I’m going to try to be as coherent as possible and not simply scream at you to read this book because of its important themes, fluffy love story, and Rosen’s funny and relatable writing. *deep breath*
We need books like Camp, books that bring those issues to light, make us face them, and talk about them! So go pick up Camp as soon as it hits shelves, and buy a few more copies for your friends, your neighbour, your delivery driver, and everyone in between. Queer or not, we need books like this one, we need to read them, and take them to heart.
“She said I should be proud of myself for knowing who I was, and what I wanted, and to never let anyone tell me anything about me that made me happy was something to be ashamed of, I’ve tried to keep that in mind.”
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
I want to start this review by saying: wow! I read Rosen’s Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) last year and loved it to bits, so I jumped at the chance to read his latest novel!
Camp follows Randall Kapplehoff who spends his summers at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens, where he and the friends he made during the years at the camp can be themselves without judgement or weird looks. Randy loves musicals, nail polish, and colourful clothes – but his heart belongs to ‘masc4masc’ Hudson. This year, Randy has a fail-safe plan ready and reinvents himself by becoming ‘Del’, a sporty guy who draws Hudson’s attention right away. Will Randy’s plan work and make Hudson fall for him? And can they really fall in love when both ‘Del and Hudson are keeping secrets?
Now I’m going to try to be as coherent as possible and not simply scream at you to read this book because of its important themes, fluffy love story, and Rosen’s funny and relatable writing. *deep breath*
We need books like Camp, books that bring those issues to light, make us face them, and talk about them! So go pick up Camp as soon as it hits shelves, and buy a few more copies for your friends, your neighbour, your delivery driver, and everyone in between. Queer or not, we need books like this one, we need to read them, and take them to heart.
“She said I should be proud of myself for knowing who I was, and what I wanted, and to never let anyone tell me anything about me that made me happy was something to be ashamed of, I’ve tried to keep that in mind.”
Read the FULL REVIEW on The Nerd Daily
August 2, 2020
Oh, no. I'm so disappointed. This was a highly anticipated book after Jack of Hearts but this book was Not Good. Quite a lot felt downright problematic, from how sex obsessed everyone is (including the counsellors) when it's a 12-18 camp - majorly inappropriate. Literally everyone is hooking up and it made me very uncomfortable, especially when most of them seem more like 14 years old. For the most part it read like an awkward middle grade book and then BOOM graphic descriptions of blowjobs and anal sex. They didn't work at all in the context and I wish Rosen had aged up these characters. It would have worked so much better if they were 18-21. Also, the main relationship had zero chemistry and neither of the characters was remotely likeable, and they were so toxic!! All lies and hate and intolerance that I'm supposed to root for? No! Such a disappointment that I almost DNFd so many times, and I should have.
March 29, 2021
Edit:
Re-read for my Library Materials for Young Adults class.
This book is damn near perfect. Thank you, Rosen, for this masterpiece.
Original Review:
As far as Lev Rosen's last two books go, (this book and Jack of Hearts), he can do no wrong. As much as I absolutely loved Jack, I think Camp is even better. It's such a raw and hilarious attack against toxic masculinity set in an lgbtq summer camp. While I was laughing and smiling and rooting for the characters, I was also deeply affected by Randy's struggle with his identity, and it made me profoundly sad at the same time. Just an overall amazing book that's queer and sex-positive; I can't wait for whatever else Rosen releases.
Re-read for my Library Materials for Young Adults class.
This book is damn near perfect. Thank you, Rosen, for this masterpiece.
Original Review:
As far as Lev Rosen's last two books go, (this book and Jack of Hearts), he can do no wrong. As much as I absolutely loved Jack, I think Camp is even better. It's such a raw and hilarious attack against toxic masculinity set in an lgbtq summer camp. While I was laughing and smiling and rooting for the characters, I was also deeply affected by Randy's struggle with his identity, and it made me profoundly sad at the same time. Just an overall amazing book that's queer and sex-positive; I can't wait for whatever else Rosen releases.
Read
May 2, 2020Fun, campy, queer rom-com! It's refreshing to read something entirely made of queer characters in a queer space. Rosen's sophomore YA novel takes down toxic masculinity and what it means to accept yourself as you are. You DO need to buy into the concept immediately, since it dives in quickly, but it's worth the ride.
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