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fantasynovel's review against another edition
5.0
The thing about Frank is that he's not the best at all, but Camilla's so in love with him that she doesn't notice his flaws. I can't tell if Madeleine L'Engle meant Frank to be a paradigm of romance, but I don't care. To me, the fact that Camilla thinks Frank is perfect is the point. This is her first love, and she's trying so hard to be grown up, and those two things mix together.
Even though Frank is a flawed person, the moments of romance were still really exciting because they made me feel like I did when I was a little kid reading these books. They made my heart so warm. I seriously felt Camilla's emotions.
A lot of this book went over my head when I read it in elementary school, I think. It's very cool to return to it years later and understand it on a different level. Like realizing that Frank kind of sucks a little. I used to accept Frank with blind wonder just like Camilla, but now I'm like, Frank, stop throwing temper tantrums and shaking your girlfriend.
So many times I'm disappointed with books from my childhood, but the writing in this is so beautiful. Camilla's burgeoning awareness of her parents' interiority propelling her entrance into adulthood feels so painful and so real.
There's also the fact that the book is set in Manhattan in the 50s. It makes the city feel so exciting again. I love when Camilla rides the subway. Also, the Met is described in such loving detail. Actually, most of the outdoor setting is described lovingly.
Even though Frank is a flawed person, the moments of romance were still really exciting because they made me feel like I did when I was a little kid reading these books. They made my heart so warm. I seriously felt Camilla's emotions.
A lot of this book went over my head when I read it in elementary school, I think. It's very cool to return to it years later and understand it on a different level. Like realizing that Frank kind of sucks a little. I used to accept Frank with blind wonder just like Camilla, but now I'm like, Frank, stop throwing temper tantrums and shaking your girlfriend.
So many times I'm disappointed with books from my childhood, but the writing in this is so beautiful. Camilla's burgeoning awareness of her parents' interiority propelling her entrance into adulthood feels so painful and so real.
There's also the fact that the book is set in Manhattan in the 50s. It makes the city feel so exciting again. I love when Camilla rides the subway. Also, the Met is described in such loving detail. Actually, most of the outdoor setting is described lovingly.
camitumbi's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
isabela24's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
brandifox's review against another edition
if you want to be disappointed at the ordinary failings of parents and heartbroken over the difficulties of being 15 then by all means, read on.
tani's review against another edition
4.0
I first read this book more than 10 years ago, in the midst of a quest to read everything that Madeleine L'Engle had ever written. I enjoyed it at the time, but forgot almost everything that happened in the intervening years. Then, when I was at a library book sale just a few weeks after Madeleine L'Engle's death, I found a copy of this book, and I couldn't help but buy it.
Even though it's called a romance, I would say that this story is more about growing up than anything else. It's a very character-driven novel, so people who can't live without action plots probably won't enjoy it, but for my part I did. I found Camilla's emotional journey to be really fascinating, and I loved seeing all the people she met along the way. I think it's a story that a lot of people could really empathize with, and one that's definitely worth reading even for those of who aren't quite children anymore. (It also gave me a very interesting look at just how much Madeleine L'Engle's writing has influenced the way that I think, which made the experience even better for me.)
Even though it's called a romance, I would say that this story is more about growing up than anything else. It's a very character-driven novel, so people who can't live without action plots probably won't enjoy it, but for my part I did. I found Camilla's emotional journey to be really fascinating, and I loved seeing all the people she met along the way. I think it's a story that a lot of people could really empathize with, and one that's definitely worth reading even for those of who aren't quite children anymore. (It also gave me a very interesting look at just how much Madeleine L'Engle's writing has influenced the way that I think, which made the experience even better for me.)
cimorene1558's review against another edition
4.0
I remember how grown up reading this book once made me feel. Doesn't do that any more, but it's still a good, if fairly dated, book.
situationnormal's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a little too short for me to get very attached to the characters. I liked Camilla for the most part, and felt that her struggles accepting her parents as people was very relatable. But books that revolve around the main character not caring about her closest friends anymore because of a guy make me frustrated and I just couldn't get into this one, despite the little emotional connections. I'm also tired of the trope in L'Engle's novels of the ugly duckling turning into a swan. If I took a shot every time someone told a L'Engle protagonist that she was "becoming quite beautiful" I wouldn't be here to write this review.
That said, I do love L'Engle's writing, and the depth of even her minor characters. I just have trouble finding any of them likable at all.
That said, I do love L'Engle's writing, and the depth of even her minor characters. I just have trouble finding any of them likable at all.
tinchette's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
adamrshields's review against another edition
4.0
Short review: This is a coming of age novel originally written in 1951. I appreciate that it is a book that is really about growing up and finding that you might not be the most important person in the world. Too many recent coming of age novels are about sex. This is not one of those books. There is a hint of romance in the book (discovering romantic love is part of growing up) but it is a means of exploring growing up and not the central theme. The book has some rough themes so be warned, alcoholism, suicide, war (or the results of war), affairs and divorce are all talked about frankly, but not luridly. Reading level is probably advanced middle school or early high school, but the themes seem a bit older than that.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/camilla/
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/camilla/