Life had always been easy for fifteen-year-old Camilla Dickinson. But now her parents, whom she had always loved and trusted, are behaving like strangers to each other and vying for her allegiance. Camilla is torn between her love for them and her disapproval of their actions. Then she meets Frank, her best friend's brother, who helps her to feel that she is not alone. Can Camilla learn to accept her parents for what they are and step toward her own independence?
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"It's been a long time since I've read a book this well written. It's obviously written in a different era, when teenage love could be holding hands at the movies, and for a younger audience than me, but the emotion and angst and discovery of first love ring true. Definitely a tearjerker. "
— Niffer (4 out of 5 stars)
" Camilla is an excellent read, both for children and teenagers. I first read the book at age ten, and I have read it over each year. Camilla's coming of age is inspiring, and the story is beautifully written. "
— Silmarillionstar, 1/27/2014" Interesting coming of age book. Eye opening to me in that I could feel Camilla's pain in her friendships as well as her pain and anger towards her parents and their divorce. Not having gone through divorce, I was surprised at how well L'Engle was able to write so that I could experience the pain that Camilla experienced. "
— Julie, 1/26/2014" I liked it. Although it wasn't the greatest book ever written its something that I would recommend "
— Alecia, 1/21/2014" After reading her Time Quintet, I was struck by the stark, uncompromising picture that L'Engle portrays of then-modern society. The book leaves the reader with a sense of, "Ah well, life goes on", rather than the general euphoria of triumph and coming-of-age in her fantasy works. "
— Pangur, 1/13/2014" I don't know why, but this book spoke to me....it was simple and quiet but I really liked it. "
— Jenn, 1/6/2014" The back reviews of the book stated that the book's title character can be compared to Holden Caulfield and this is why I became interested in it in the first place. Is Camilla the female Holden Caulfield? Yes and no. It is true that she is faced with issues like young Holden but hers seem so trivial compared to what Holden went through. I couldn't identify or conjure up any sympathy for her (even though my parents are also divorced) and I had trouble being interested in her affairs. The most interesting character in the novel (for me at least) was the sometimes creepy, sometimes intuitive handicapped war vet, David. The rest of the characters are just as whiny as Camilla and leave me caring too little for them. The only concern with this novel is that it may not be as timeless as Holden's story, especially the character of Frank. Young kids will definitely not be able to identify with the crap that Frank spewed at Camilla and-is it just me or, was their relationship a little chauvinistic? (He mostly talking and she mostly listened and then he was all like "Oh Camilla, you're so great."-- yeah cuz she lets you talk non-stop and doesn't say anything). Anyway, it's an easy and quick read and it would be interesting to read if you've read Catcher in the Rye. "
— Inna, 1/5/2014" Camilla, the teenage protagonist, crashes into the unpleasant epiphany that parents aren't perfect when she discovers that her mother is having an affair. It is pretty much downhill from there. Camilla's charmed life abruptly ends when she is faced with infidelity, lies, suicide, and jealousy. Her only sense of happiness comes from a budding relationship with her best friend's older brother, but even that leaves her empty. It's a melancholy coming of age story that is best for older youth. "
— Laura, 12/21/2013" It was well writen but didnt really impact me... the ending depressed me but didnt make me sad or even move me. David really creeped me out... i mean really? Stop being a pedo. Overall i felt something was missing... "
— Sophia, 12/21/2013" Disappointing, especially in light of other books Madeleine L'Engle has wrote. "
— Lydia, 12/20/2013" excellent story about entering adulthood with themes still relevant today. "
— Erin, 12/19/2013" I would like to read the original 1951 version, titled "Camilla Dickinson", which is apparently for adult audiences, as opposed to the 1965 (and later) versions, all titled "Camilla". "
— Michael, 12/16/2013" I remember reading this book as a young teenager and thinking it was the best Romance I'd ever read. I am going to add it to my list of ILL choices so that I can read it again and re-live it. "
— Penny, 11/20/2013" For its time, a fairly frank look at the imperfections of parents. That said, the prose seemed pretty formal and stilted. The ending seemed abrupt. I may have just read this a little too late in life. It didn't really send me. "
— Mimi, 8/25/2013" I really enjoyed this book, except for the ending. It seemed a bit abrupt and that I was left hanging. "
— Trish, 6/19/2013" I just rented it from the library and reread it as an adult, and I still like it. "
— Sheilah, 3/3/2013" I read this book many years ago, but recently decided to read it again. It has a lot of great descriptions and realistic characters and it covers some deep subjects, but sometimes it seemed a bit overdramatic. "
— Adrienne, 2/7/2013" I was disappointed in the ending but there was a lot to like -- the portrait of mid-sixties New York was intoxicating! I also appreciated how imperfect the characters were -- it does make you wonder how things would have gone on if there were a different ending. "
— Melissa, 4/15/2012" That New York City is a fricking cool place to be a kid. "
— Rebecca, 1/24/2012" Not very well written (the lack of contractions in the narrative made me unusually frustrated) and a terribly disappointing ending. "
— Angie, 9/21/2011" A sad, sweet and beautiful story. "
— Kristen, 6/1/2011" I love L'Engle, but this was just...what was the point?! Depressing. "
— seekitlikesilver, 4/21/2011" Camilla's mom is having an affair with Jacques. Dad takes fifteen-year-old Camilla out for dinner and buys her an alcoholic drink to loosen her tongue so he can pump her about mom's boyfriend. Mom slits her wrists. Need I say more? <br/> "
— Shirley, 3/16/2011" I thought this book was a waste of time. I read it based on Oprah's can't put it down best 25 books ever list. Hah! Seriously. "
— Miriam, 2/12/2011" Not great for Madeleine L'Engle. "
— Tinamarie, 2/11/2011" Would have liked this more if I weren't SUCH a big fan of some of her other books. "
— Kristine, 12/17/2010" a classic. one that i read and reread over and over again for comfort, whenever i want to imagine growing up in NYC or i'm feeling disconnected from my parents. "
— Caitlinleah, 11/14/2010" It was well writen but didnt really impact me... the ending depressed me but didnt make me sad or even move me. David really creeped me out... i mean really? Stop being a pedo. Overall i felt something was missing... "
— Sophia, 11/6/2010" I was disappointed in the ending but there was a lot to like -- the portrait of mid-sixties New York was intoxicating! I also appreciated how imperfect the characters were -- it does make you wonder how things would have gone on if there were a different ending. "
— Melissa, 9/30/2010" Not the best book by L'engle. Main character is a cipher Mary Sue and everyone else is an asshole. "
— S., 9/26/2010" Does anyone have the sequel I can borrow????? "
— Adriana, 9/12/2010" Not very well written (the lack of contractions in the narrative made me unusually frustrated) and a terribly disappointing ending. "
— Angie, 7/29/2010" This book is simply beautiful in both it's execution and story. "
— Mahasin, 7/23/2010" I don't know why, but this book spoke to me....it was simple and quiet but I really liked it. "
— Jenn, 6/25/2010Madeleine L’Engle (1918–2007) is the author of many books for children and adults. She is perhaps best known for the Time Quintet, especially A Wrinkle in Time, which won a Newbery Medal, and her books featuring the Austin family, including the Newbery Honor Book A Ring of Endless Light.
Ann Marie Lee is a seven-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award for narration. She is a Los Angeles–based actress with television credits that include ER, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Nip/Tuck. Her stage performances for Broadway National Tours and regional theater include Peter Pan, As You Like It, Heartbreak House, and The Cherry Orchard.