Camille’s Dilemma

D.C. Johnson
Dar J Publishing (2003)
ISBN 1930847971
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (6/06)

 “Camille’s Dilemma” feels very true to life.  The story takes you through Camille’s childhood to young adulthood.  She deals with many issues including molestation, rape and discovering what her sexual orientation is.  In the background, assisting with narrating this tale is the ghost of Louise.  She was a slave that killed her master after she could no longer endure him raping her. His son killed her.  Louise finds herself watching over the life of Camille. 

Camille does not feel loved within her home.  She has other siblings that are not close.  Her mother seems to be caught up in just trying to survive.  Camille wants to be loved and have affection.  When she finds a neighbor that gives her this, the neighbor’s boyfriend rapes her.  While Camille struggles to deal with this, she ends up finding herself alone and has to become a stronger person to get through the pain.

I admire Camille’s character because for every negative experience that she has, she becomes a stronger woman.  It was also interesting to see how she deals with discovering that she is a lesbian.  She finds herself attracted to other women as a teenager, but it takes her awhile to figure out what it means.  She also has to deal with being judged because of this.  I felt that Camille just wanted to be Camille. But everyone else has to lump her into a specific category in which she is discriminated against:  black woman, lesbian, single mother, etc.  Even as a lesbian, her peers wanted to classify her as a femme or a stud.  Like most of us, she just wants to live her life and be loved.  “Camille’s Dilemma” also has some fun, enjoyable moments.  Some of these take place while she is in the Army.  The way that she handles some of her situations will make you laugh. 

I recommend this book for women’s reading groups that are open-minded.  I also feel that it would be for groups that involve gender orientation and child abuse.  Even though it is a fictional story, it feels so true to life and I believe that people can either learn from her or relate to her.   

 

Camille’s Dilemma

D.C. Johnson
Dar J Publishing (2003)
ISBN 1930847971
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (6/06)

Life seems to be extremely cruel to the young black 8-year old Camille Jenkins who lives with her mother and three siblings in the Chicago area.  While still a young child, Camille is repeatedly abused by her mother’s boyfriend and raped when she is a teen.  Camille is, needless to say, even further disturbed when she witnesses terrifying crimes that take place in her neighborhood.  With a mother who gives little affection or attention to her youngest daughter, Camille struggles with anxieties and insecurities but finds solace in the back of a dark closet.

“Camille’s Dilemma” reveals that Camille has the spirit of an 85 year old lady by the name of Louise living inside of her.  At times, Louise tells the story; then Louise will hand the telling over to Camille.  Individuals and their conflicting issues are constantly at play in this novel.  Camille has a great deal of conflict going on inside her head and seeks to find herself.  Much of the story is written as the characters speak, and I found this difficult to read at times.   For example, “mo” is used for the word “more” because that is how they pronounce the word.  At times, Camille lives so much in her own world that I found it difficult to follow the chain of thought the author, D.C. Johnson, was trying to convey.   

As Camille ages, she questions her sexuality and ultimately decides she is a lesbian.  Camille enters into several relationships which are fully developed in the book with many details.  During these series of relationships, Camille finds herself pregnant by her friend’s cousin and ends up with son, Calvin.

Camille labors to decide what life holds for her, thus “Camille’s Dilemma”.  Camille then decides that joining the Army and becoming an undertaker will be just the career for her.  After joining the Army, Camille changes her mind and decides that maybe the Army isn’t for her, especially since her oldest brother Chester is back home dying of AIDS.

 I am uncertain of the target audience D.C. Johnson had in mind when she wrote this story.  It is definitely not for impressionable children, and I would not want my young teen reading it either.  My best guess would be some young women in the 20-30 year range with sexuality issues might find it interesting.

 I found this novel to be unlike anything I have ever read before.  It is definitely unique and one of a kind.  At times, I was shocked and disturbed by Johnson’s descriptions of what Camille was experiencing.  “Camille’s Dilemma” is not a “feel good” story; however, it does end on a positive note.  Although I believe Johnson to be a talented author, I will not recommend “Camille’s Dilemma” to my friends.  If you are interested in the angst of homosexuality, choose for yourself, but personally, it was not for me.

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