Double #Review: THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily M. Danforth // Book and Movie Review!

Hello all! I have a special post for you today where I review

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily M. Danforth!

I am reviewing both the book and the movie since I was lucky enough to see it on Saturday because Windsor-Essex Pride Fest in collaboration with Windsor International Film Festival had it playing on the silver screen! I am reviewing the book first, then the movie and I can't wait to share my thoughts with you! So, let's get to it!

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST

Author: Emily M. Danforth

Series: N/A

Source: Purchased from Chapters

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Publication Date: February 7, 2012

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Summary:

When Cameron Post’s parents die suddenly in a car crash, her shocking first thought is relief. Relief they’ll never know that, hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl.

But that relief doesn’t last, and Cam is soon forced to move in with her conservative aunt Ruth and her well-intentioned but hopelessly old-fashioned grandmother. She knows that from this point on, her life will forever be different. Survival in Miles City, Montana, means blending in and leaving well enough alone (as her grandmother might say), and Cam becomes an expert at both.

Then Coley Taylor moves to town. Beautiful, pickup-driving Coley is a perfect cowgirl with the perfect boyfriend to match. She and Cam forge an unexpected and intense friendship — one that seems to leave room for something more to emerge. But just as that starts to seem like a real possibility, ultrareligious Aunt Ruth takes drastic action to ‘fix’ her niece, bringing Cam face-to-face with the cost of denying her true self — even if she’s not exactly sure who that is.


The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a stunning and unforgettable literary debut about discovering who you are and finding the courage to live life according to your own rules.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST is one of the best books I've read. It was a little on the long side, but it was so lush with depictions and I never felt as though what I was reading wasn't necessary. I definitely understand why people would say the length of the novel is off putting, but it gives depth to the characters and backstory that is really needed for the times.

I loved seeing how Cameron grew during the book. I think starting at such a young age and watching her grow into herself, and realize that there was nothing that she could do about her attractions, was important - and incredibly well done. I loved seeing how she came to realize that her faith and her sexuality could intersect and intertwine. Too often we don't see LGBTQ+ characters of faith who continue with their faith.

The characters and their relationships were amazing. I loved seeing how they came together, fell apart, and how the characters at God's Promise were able to forge relationships. I liked seeing how they dealt with those in charge and what it meant for their "progress." Overall it was just an incredible idea, execution, and understanding.

The end scene was just incredible. It was such a perfect way to end this novel and it will be one that I remember and think on for the rest of my life. I thought it really brought everything full circle and showed how even if you lose one family, you can find another. The idea of found family was so important to this book and I just loved every second of it.

By the end of the book, I was ugly crying. This is so good. Lush with descriptions and so many different ways to make you feel. I just can’t stop myself from feeling and crying - two things I actively avoid. If you haven't picked it up yet, definitely do so - and go see the movie. 

I think the movie was one of the best book to film adaptations I've seen in a long time. It had the intention of the book, all the themes, and a condensed version of the story and timeline. It was one of the best and bravest films I've seen in a long time, and really accents the female gaze.

I loved the aesthetics of this movie: from the clothes, to the filter over the shots, to the bedspread. Everything felt authentic and real. It had the important aspects from the book, including the line "I just told you all about it - the whole fucking purpose of this place is to make us hate ourselves so that we change." And this was just like the most important line, feeling, and sentiment throughout the novel and in the movie.

The best part was it didn't shy away from these hard topics - and also had on screen lesbian sex. There were so many good shots, conversations, and silent moments that really depicted just how terrible this all was - and still is. I think Chloë Grace Moretz did a great job as Cam, but I think the highlight of the movie was like, everyone else. But I have such a crush on Chloë Grace Moretz that I definitely was very excited to see this.

I did think that it missed some of the nuance that the book had. Especially when it came to Cameron's past with her family, Irene, and her faith. I also would have liked just a little bit more backstory to her and Coley's relationship because it didn't quite work for me. It still felt real but it felt pretty rushed.

If you can get to this one, I definitely think you should. It is so heartfelt, a good coming of age story, and I love how timeless it felt even with the historical aspects to it. Desiree Akhavan is an ah-mazing director and I can't wait to see what else she directs in the future.