Camp Damascus
Something is wrong in Neverton
Author: Chuck Tingle
Year first published: 2023
Original Language: English
Genre: Horror, LGBTQ
I don't read new releases very often. This is primarily because I dont really keep up with book releases or any specific authors. I just happened to notice this one, completely unaware that they even carried anything by Chuck Tingle. And seeing it was horror? Of course I was game.
And wow, this book was a wild ride that I was 1000% on board with.
We start off meeting our protagonist, Rose, a young woman on the spectrum. She is intelligent, curious, and has a strong belief in God. Things are perfect in her world. She has a supportive father making cringey dad jokes, and a beautiful mother who made a delicious dinner after her amazing day hanging out at the local swimming hole with her handsome childhood friend.
Everything is great! Until she suddenly vomits a wave of flies all over the lovely garlic spaghetti on the dinner table.
From the start, there's little trickles of information showing that something isn't quite right. She talks of graduating from highschool soon, but mentions that parents are pushing her to date because she's reached her 20th birthday. She mentions that they're very religious and very christian, but mentions a prophet who founded their sect and his 4 pillars. When she tells her parents she wants to focus on her studies, they try to convince her that it's much more important for her to get married and not be so curious. That's sinful!
Now, if you're not familiar with standard christian lore and beliefs, some of this might go over your head and seem a little backwards, but not unusual, but to those who are...well, generally most modern preachers aren't considered prophets. While I wouldn't call this a Christian novel necessarily, knowledge or at least familiarity of Judeo-Christian lore will give a little bit of extra to the story. It is, however, not a requirement. Many things that are a little more esoteric are explained.
One night, Rose finds herself in the kitchen watching a late night infomercial about the local Camp Damascus, a place which boasts a 100% success rate in helping good, God-fearing christians to "Love Right." If that phrase gave you the heebie-jeebies, then good. That's the normal response.
Of course, other than thinking the safe, innofensive christian rock and wholesome activities is cool and sounds like a great time, she doesn't have any reason to go there. After all, she's not gay, right?
Right?
Things start going south for Rose the moment she starts to question her surroundings. Her world is somehow no longer perfect, and everything is going wrong. The more she tries to dig into what's happening to her, the more things start to unravel, and definitely not in the way she wants. And she soon learns the face of true horror, and how sometimes if you scratch at the surface just a little bit, you find something you probably would rather not see.
I love Rose's characterization. She never seems like a stereotype, and her struggle to come to terms with her identity and how it fits in, or doesn't, with the only world she has ever known is complex and compelling. Little things, like her stimming to calm herself, or how she is so not used to swearing that she only ever uses soft cuss words like frick or heck, really help her feel more alive.
Tingle is incredible at having the emotions come through in his words, expertly crafting a tale of terror that is very Christian centric without being anti Faith in itself. And more than that, he pokes at the creeping, subtle nature of cults and how they draw people in with views that aren't always as extreme as people think, at least on the surface, sinking their tendrils in until they're so much a part of your life that you simply can't imagine any other way. They seem reasonable, surely they can't really be that bad. More so for those born and raised within one. Even the brightest of minds can become enthralled. If you're suddenly told that everything you've known and loved in your life is actually evil, would you believe it? Or would you struggle to rationalize what you've been taught?
What stuck with me the most were the subtleties in how she's treated by those around her, those holding her up on a pedestal as long as she doesn't let any cracks show through, such as the difference between how her loving mother reacts to her idiosyncrasies and behaviors, opposed to how her friends do, the difference between wanting to correct something you think is wrong versus being open and accepting to the unique little differences we all have.
One of my favorite bits is how, in a fit of frustration, Rose decides she doesn't want her life dictated by the words of long dead old men, and begins crafting in her head her own Bible verses. The Book of Rose.
“Let’s just fix what we can. Rose 15:30. For the righteous sword of truth is so sharp that even half swings will graze a bone of incredible depths.”
“Are you making up your own bible verses?”
“Uh, Yeah. Up until this point I hadn’t said any out loud though.”
“Sick. That was super metal.”
It is pretty darn metal.
At the core of it all though, I feel like this story is about acceptance, of love, and of those around you, but most importantly, self acceptance. Not letting others dictate who you are for you, and saying no when they try to make you into something you are not.
I'm not a religious person, and I cannot say for sure if heaven or hell are real, or God and demons, but you know what is real?
Love.
Review posted 2023/09/17