Warning: This is not your average summer novel, ladies and gentleman. The city girl doesn't get shipped off to sleep-away camp to suddenly find a connection with nature and a love of the wild. She doesn't form that deep connection with her bunk. And she doesn't return home wishing she was back in camp.
No, Laney Parker, a native New Yorker, has a miserable time in camp. Her bunkmates, albeit the one single friend she makes, torture her. Laney finds that she despises most camp activities, especially swimming or anything else that requires some sort of exercise, and has no unexpected love for nature and all things wild. And when Laney returns home, "home sweet home" has a whole new meaning.But maybe that's what made this book so enjoyable. Despite the very humorous and witty narrative of Laney, the unique and funny characters, and the countless allusions to pop culture, the fact that this book is different from most usual sleepover camp books actually makes it a fun and fresh read.
However, despite the high points of the story, this novel lacks a fast plot and it takes a while to get into things. For example, Laney pursues a romantic interest, but you only meet the boy two thirds of the way into the book. Additionally, several times the plot goes very slow and it gets a little boring. When Laney first arrives at camp, there is just this lull in the story where all she does is moan and groan about her misery and the terrible torture that her bunk and the camp staff inflicts on her. It gets a little tired after a while.
But this book is still very funny and very enjoyable. It may not be the most deep read, but it's a nice story and is very entertaining. Those who enjoyed Sleepaway Girls by Jen Calonita, Cruel Summer by Alyson Noel, or Hot Mess: Summer In the City, also by Julie Kraut, will especially like Slept Away. However, it's a great book for all readers.
No comments:
Post a Comment