Chuck Tingle is the renouned author of such classics as: ‘Pounded in the Butt by My Own Butt’, ‘Bigfoot Pirates Haunt My Balls’, and ‘Space Raptor Butt Invasion’… I can’t even write this with a straight face.
Let’s just say: Tingle seems to be quite a character! Camp Damascus is my first foray into his writings, and I have to say, I was won over. In fact, I was (at times) blown away by the beauty of his writing. He’s deft at painting a picture with his words. He is exceptionally talented. In this book, he tackles the difficult issue of Gay Conversion therapy through the lens of demon possession, and by god… it worked.
The story is told through the eyes of Rose Darling, a teenager living a very sheltered existence in a Christian community in Montana. She is exceptionally bright and devoted to the Word of God, with two parents who appear to love her deeply. Everything in her cloistered life is going well until, while at a waterfall with her friends, she experiences some unholy feelings in her loins when gazing at a female classmate. Moments later, she’s met with the terrifying vision of a demon, haunting her from the shadows. Before long, she’s coughing up flies and feeling cold in the middle of summer. She’s confused on so many levels, and despite her close-nit community, she’s alone.
Rose was a compelling character, treated with care and compassion. But despite the heavy subject matter, this novel was light and fun when it needed to be. The tone was appropriate and thoughtful, and the plot moved forward at a respectable pace. At under 250 pages, this is a quick and enjoyable read. And almost enough to want me to pick up Tingle book. Perhaps ‘I’m Gay For My Living Billionaire Jet Plane’ next?
I saw someone on goodreads describe this novel with words to the effect of ‘Tingle rams homopophia in the ass’, which (while funny) is not quite right. This book not that crass, and I really enjoyed it.
5 jetpack flamethrowers out of 5.