Dad Camp by Evan Porter

Dad Camp

Dad Camp by Evan Porter is an inverse coming of age novel about how parents experience their children growing up. The author is a good friend of mine and I had this book on pre-order long before it launched because Evan is just such a good writer. He’s one of those rare people who can re-arrange words so that they are just…better. I was excited when he told me that he was going through with a novel.

But Dad Camp really exceeded my expectations.

What I Liked

First, I loved the twist on genre. The coming of age novel is a pretty classic genre. But Dad Camp takes the genre and asks…”ok, but what is it like to be the parent of someone coming of age?” It makes for a compelling story and taps into one of the main reasons we read stories at all.

Second, the book is just so well-written. The book moves along, but has this constant flow of details that kept me mentally in the setting. I went to exactly two camps as a kid, but with just a few details here and there, I could imagine *exactly* what the setting was.

Third, the structure and flow was creative and allowed for a lot of building out of the characters. There was a single, main narrative with predictable flashbacks and supplemental chapters.

Fourth, I liked how the plot moved back and forth between the Dads at the camp and the main father – daughter plot. The book was funny & insightful exploring the different “Dad avatars” out in 2024 America. It’s weird, heart-breaking, and funny.

What I Didn’t Like

Nothing. It’s awesome. There should be more books like Dad Camp. It’s not a mindless Beach Read, but it’s also not Serious Academic Literature either. It’s a fun, meaningful, memorable story that is absolutely worth a read.

Dad Camp by Evan Porter
$18.95
In Dad Camp by Evan Porter, the story flips the classic coming-of-age theme by focusing on parents navigating their children's growth. I was excited for this book because Evan is a fantastic writer, and it turned out to be even better than I expected. The unique perspective makes it engaging, while the writing flows beautifully, immersing me in the camp setting. The mix of humor and insight as it explores different Dad avatars adds depth. Honestly, I can't find a single thing to criticize—this book is a delightful, meaningful read that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Pros:
  • Unique twist on the coming-of-age genre
  • Well-written with vivid details
  • Creative structure and character development
  • Humorous and insightful portrayal of fatherhood
Cons:
  • Nothing.
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02/11/2025 10:36 pm GMT
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