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logantmartin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
I've been reading a lot of Sontag lately and stumbled upon this book while reading Against Interpretation and Other Essays. As a result, I had expectations that weren't necessarily set by the author himself. This is not nearly as analytical as "Notes on 'Camp'," but that's a high bar that almost no one could reach.
Nevertheless, I found Camp! to be lacking in virtually any engagement with its subject matter, beyond a few blandly worded paraphrases of things I've heard before. It's like a drag ball with no category: an endless parade of historical events and pieces of media with no cohesion between them. I didn't come away from this with a better understanding of camp, just a compilation of other resources that might point me in the right direction. This is not a book about camp, but a book about things that are camp, or rather, an extensive list of movies and TV shows that the author likes which happen to be camp (by a broad definition), at least toward the end.
Which I don't mind. To understand what camp is, we first have to know what is camp. And I learned a lot that I didn't know, particularly about what the British were doing while Faye Dunaway was chopping down trees. In this sense, I think this is a useful book for categorizing camp, but not so much for defining it or unpacking it. I guess what I'm saying is: Susan Sontag, you're still the only art critic.
Nevertheless, I found Camp! to be lacking in virtually any engagement with its subject matter, beyond a few blandly worded paraphrases of things I've heard before. It's like a drag ball with no category: an endless parade of historical events and pieces of media with no cohesion between them. I didn't come away from this with a better understanding of camp, just a compilation of other resources that might point me in the right direction. This is not a book about camp, but a book about things that are camp, or rather, an extensive list of movies and TV shows that the author likes which happen to be camp (by a broad definition), at least toward the end.
Which I don't mind. To understand what camp is, we first have to know what is camp. And I learned a lot that I didn't know, particularly about what the British were doing while Faye Dunaway was chopping down trees. In this sense, I think this is a useful book for categorizing camp, but not so much for defining it or unpacking it. I guess what I'm saying is: Susan Sontag, you're still the only art critic.
amaiso's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
5.0
One of the most hilarious and fun books about history that I’ve ever come across. The attitude of camp, in my opinion, is central to the identity of many queer people and can act as a buoy to keep us afloat in dark times.
finnthehuman217's review
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I reviewed this on goodreads but forgot to review it on here. I have respect for the history but the author got the entire chapter about Paris is Burning dead wrong. Literally ignored the words of Dorian Corey and talked about the way reading and shade were in the dance instead of being a showdown of Wit and words, also leaving key players in the ballroom including the men from ballroom in the vogue music video and the inventor of voguing, Willi Ninja and Jose Xtravaganza (to which the scene owes a lot of credit.) The ballroom chapter of the book could have been better researched. But I loved all the Norma Desmond and Bette Davis and Joan Crawford impressions the author did so I give it a 4/5
bobthebookerer's review against another edition
5.0
As someone who has enjoyed Paul Baker's other books, this absolutely does not disappoint, and in many ways builds on some of the key themes and moments from his other books (Polari, Section 28 and more).
Although 'camp' can be quite a slippery concept, Baker delves into the many ways that it has shown up for pure enjoyment and for activism. The end portion of this book really delivers that punch, identifying the importance of camp as resistance, and I found this profound, especially from a British context.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Although 'camp' can be quite a slippery concept, Baker delves into the many ways that it has shown up for pure enjoyment and for activism. The end portion of this book really delivers that punch, identifying the importance of camp as resistance, and I found this profound, especially from a British context.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
carolinagtrz's review
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Camp! is wonderfully written, told through anecdotes and tales of fabulously camp people. It’s funny, entertaining, and feels like sitting down with a friend.