The Miseducation of Cameron Post - the Film

Exactly a year ago I posted my review of The Miseducation of Cameron Post, having loved the book and having found it really painful to read. I knew the film was being made, so all year I've been keeping an eye out for it. I think they had distribution problems or something, but then I heard it was coming out in the UK in September. I asked my partner Lee to come with me and we decided to go out for something to eat first. We took advantage of Lee's 2for1 deals that he got through his car insurance, meaning we got two for one on cinema tickets and on a whole range of restaurants - I chose Chiquitos because I love it! It was a really nice evening out.

Lee hadn't read anything about the film, so it was all totally new to him. I thought that was really good, I think it enhanced his enjoyment a lot. I remembered a lot about the book, but I had read a couple of reviews, one of which mentioned that graphic self harm scene from the book, so I'm glad I was prepared that that was coming.

In the book, Cameron doesn't get sent to God's Promise until about halfway through. We read much more about her life before, and about the girls she has fallen in love with. We understand her a lot, about what makes her tick and what she cares about. We understand Aunt Ruth, even if we don't sympathise with her. I felt like this was lacking a bit in the film. I wish we'd seen more about Cameron as a person. But Lee felt like you did get to know her properly, he felt like she was constantly watching what was happening and you understood that she was beyond all this bullshit quite early on. I've also read a review which concerned Chloe Grace Moretz's acting and which said she was perfect and understated, so that was good and something which I agreed with even though I haven't seen her in anything else. I do wish we'd seen more of Cameron's back story though, including all her scenes at the pool.

I liked Adam, I thought we saw enough of him to really understand him as a person. Forrest Goodluck was perfect, I'm glad they cast him. I didn't feel like we saw enough of Jane to really get what she was about, and Lee agreed. Was the character black in the book? I don't remember that she was, but Sasha Lane was perfect. I wish we'd seen more of the ending of the film, but actually filmwise I think it made perfect sense.

I really liked it; it's very hard hitting and the subject matter still makes me angry (you can't "pray away the gay" and such projects are abusive), but I loved seeing it on the big screen and I'm glad we went.

Love, Simon, the movie: review

It's no secret that I loved Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, so when I first heard about the film of it, I knew I would see it in the cinema without any doubt. I also knew I would drag along my two best friends for the ride; they're usually up for seeing films with me. So we made plans to see it the first weekend it was out.

We made a day of it - we met at The Light in Leeds and had a couple of drinks first, before going to the Vue cinema there. We were the oldest people by quite a margin - everyone else was in their teens or early 20s.

I absolutely adored the film. I laughed and I cried, and I want to see it again immediately to pick up on all the things I missed the first time around. I've got a few thoughts, so here goes, although I will try to avoid huge spoilers:

1. I thought Nick Robinson was perfect as Simon. Not exactly how I'd pictured him, but he was so sweet and played the part perfectly, I really liked him
2. I liked that Simon's BFF Nick was black in the film, I would have liked more screentime of him actually because I really liked the character
3. I loved Abby, I liked her in the book but I really adored her in this film. I hope this actress goes far, she deserves to
4. I ADORED Leah. I was already excited about the sequel book, Leah on the Offbeat, but having seen the film I cannot WAIT to read it. A WHOLE BOOK of Leah is going to be amazing!
5. I won't spoil who Blue is, but I wish we'd seen more of him on screen, I feel like in the book we got more of a look into his personality which made us like him when we discovered his real identity, and I felt like that was missing a bit in the film
6. I loved the look of the film, I thought it was really pretty
7. Simon's bedroom was perfect in every way, I want that teen bedroom right now for myself
8. I thought the whole thing had a huge feel of The Perks of Being A Wallflower to it. I love both the book and the film versions of that, and I feel the same way about this. Plus there's a lot of similar themes of friendship and feeling like outsiders too
9. I thought Simon's parents were really well cast and well acted too
10. It is schmaltzy in parts, especially at the end, but honestly, queer teenagers deserve to see those cheesy romcom types of happy endings reflected on screen

I definitely think the film is a really good adaptation of the book. It retains a lot of the same feel and the same sweetness. I think Nick is a perfect teen comedy hero, and a lot of the supporting cast is absolutely brilliant too. I can't wait to see it again!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - Review

Where did I get it? I bought it a couple of weeks ago because I really want to see the film and I wanted to read the book first.

What's it about? Conor is in his early teens and his mother is dying. It’s never specified what of, and it’s never actually said that she’s dying until very near the end, but it’s obvious that’s what’s happening. Conor’s dad lives in America with his new wife and daughter, and Conor’s grandma and Conor don’t really get on. Every night, Conor has a nightmare about his mum, and at school he’s being bullied.

Then, he calls the monster. From Conor’s back garden he can see a yew tree in the churchyard, and it comes alive and comes to his house to tell him stories, stories which will end in Conor having to face the truth about his mother’s illness.

What age range is it for? Probably twelve and upwards

Are any main characters LGBTQ+? No

Are any main characters people of colour? No

Are any main characters disabled either mentally or physically? I guess Conor’s mum’s illness counts as a disability, yeah. She’s extremely unwell, as you can imagine.

Is there any sex stuff? No

Are drugs mentioned or used? There’s some vague discussion of the treatments Conor’s mum is having, but not really.

Is there any talk of death? Yes, of course, in a very real way

Are there swear words? No

Would I recommend the book? Yes, if the premise appeals. The monster is pretty scary! I didn’t love it, but that’s probably just me as I know lots of people gave this rave reviews

Why did I choose to read it at this point in life? Like I said, I want to see the film

What other books is it like? Maybe a bit like The Fault In Our Stars?

How many stars? Seven out of ten. I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it either.

Where is the book going now? I’m not sure! I might donate it to a friend’s collection.