The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
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Release Date: February 7th 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Series: n/a
Goodreads description: 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
I chose The Miseducation of Cameron Post randomly (like I choose so many of my reads) because it was a really hot day and I was tired of looking at the library. I had no clue what it was about.
I am really not sure how to review this book, and I feel like I say that all the time lately, sorry. There were moments in this book that I really enjoyed, and there were moments that were angering and painful. I felt so much for Cameron, and I was extremely invested in her story. I didn’t love the book, but I think it was important.
I liked Cameron Post as a character. She is dealing with the loss of her parents, the introduction of a new family system, the development of her personality and sexuality, and school and friends all at the same time. When her parents die, she’s relieved because they won’t know she likes girls. After that, she lives with her aunt and her grandmother. She kind of gets away with a lot for a while. She hangs out with a group of guys, she swims and she runs track. She watches tons of movies and connects with a girl from out of state who kind of helps her learn about certain things.
Her aunt, her main legal guadian, is extremely religious. She makes Cameron go to church with her, which leads to even more confusion and a lot of guilt. Cameron has to worry about people finding out about how she feels and not knowing if it’s right or wrong. She goes through different stages in dealing with her own acceptance of her sexuality.
Cameron faces some really heartbreaking things, and I just wanted to hug her. She’s already lost her parents, and then she has to face a lot of shit with her family and friends. She definitely gets an ugly glimpse of how awful some Christians can be about anything different, which is really disgusting. Cameron does learn a lot about herself and I liked learning with her. She was such a great character. The book has an open ending, and while I would have loved to know more about Cameron’s life, I think it fit the book pretty well.
The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a haunting look at how GLBT/LGBT teens can be treated. It is upsetting and uplifting. There were parts I enjoyed and parts that were difficult to push through. It wasn’t exactly an enjoyable read for me overall, but I’m glad I read it! I definitely think it’s a worth a read. I wouldn’t really want to read it again, but I’d happily read anything else by Emily M. Danforth in the future. You should check out The Miseducation of Cameron Post if you like a realistic look of what GLBT (or LGBT?) teens deal with in intolerant families and religions.
Check out Emily M. Danforth‘s website and twitter!
A Blighted One 
This sounds like a difficult read because of the content, but I can understand how it would be an important book to read overall. Even though I usually like to read for pleasure, I want to read this one because what the author has to say on the subject matter is probably worth the read, even if it’s not “fun” per se. I think it’s already on my TBR list, but if it’s not I’m going to add it! I enjoyed your review! And I totally relate to you saying you’re not sure how review a book, I feel that way ALL the time! Don’t worry about it though, because in my opinion your reviews explain how you feel just fine! 🙂
Thank you!! =) I’m awful at wanting to say more than I should in reviews and so many of my opinions are wrapped up in things that as a reader would bug me if someone spoiled. But I liked a lot of it, and it was difficult but it was supposed to be, and it definitely made me think about things! I hope you get something out of it, even if it’s not “fun.” If you read it, I will explain all my thoughts, haha!
I read this one at the end of last year, and while it was a little slow moving and the subject matter was tough, I really enjoyed the story. I loved the writing and the fullness of the years described. I think my only true issue was the end when I could have used just a little bit more. Glad you gave this one a try. I feel like it kind of gets forgotten sometimes & it’s so so good.
I did really enjoy most of it, I think I wanted her to be able to confront some people she never got the chance to. I would like to believe she got the chance at some point after the end. I definitely wanted more from the end, especially with her mom’s friend (Margot? I can’t remember now). It seems kind of weird for her to randomly be a helpful person then she’s just a maybe at the end. Overall, I’m really glad I read it!
Haha, when at the library I choose randomly too 🙂 But The Miseducation of Cameron Post has been in on my tbr for ages now, I really should just read it. “there were moments that were angering and painful.” oh oh, but I love to get invested in characters, so I still have high hopes. That bit about some extremely religious characters makes me worried though. I really don’t like book with those type of characters even if they are the evil ones. I really hope her aunt is not one of them… And open ending? Sigh. Now I’m pretty sure this book won’t be a favorite, but I’m still curious enough to give it a shot.
Sometimes I try to go in with a plan, but usually if there are certain books I want, I try to reserve them so I know they’ll be there, so if I’m just there I just try to pick what seems good! I’m surprised you haven’t read it! The religious aspect is kind of awful, but the results of it are important and interesting/horrifying. There are definitely some evil people in the book, but some are just so ignorant and misguided. I don’t know how to explain it, but I think you might like parts of it a lot, and I think you will like Cameron and some of the other characters a lot. The open ending isn’t like hugely awful, but it does leave you wanting a lot more. If you read it I’ll be excited to read your thoughts!