Camp (novel)

Camp, published in 2021, is a contemporary romantic comedy novel by American author L.C. Rosen. The novel centers on Randy Kapplehoff, a sixteen-year-old boy who spends his summers at Camp Outland, a summer camp specifically designed for queer teens. Randy, a theatre enthusiast, loves Camp Outland and has, over the years, perfected his persona as "the perfect camper," a flamboyant, confident, and effortlessly charming character.

The central conflict arises when Hudson Aaronson-Lim, a relatively straight-passing and seemingly uninterested boy, arrives at camp. Randy, instantly smitten, decides to use his perfected "camp" persona to win Hudson's affections. However, his efforts backfire as Hudson seems unimpressed and resistant to Randy's over-the-top charm.

The novel explores themes of authenticity, identity, and the complexities of attraction within the LGBTQ+ community. It examines the performance of identity, challenging the notion that there is only one "right" way to be queer and highlights the pressures to conform to certain stereotypes within that community. Randy's journey forces him to question whether his "camp" persona is a genuine expression of himself or a constructed defense mechanism. The book also considers the broader implications of "camp" as an aesthetic and its relevance to queer culture. Camp (novel) is noted for its humorous tone, relatable characters, and exploration of important social issues.