Book Review: Just a Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe (Bláznivé léto) by Sarah Mlynowski
There’s something magnetic about summer reads, isn’t there? Especially when they promise a blend of romance and adventure. "Just a Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe" by Sarah Mlynowski, also known as "Bláznivé léto," caught my eye because of its promise of a lighthearted summer love story interspersed with camp shenanigans. However, what I initially thought would be an escapist delight turned out to be a frustrating journey grappling with themes that left me feeling quite unsettled.
The premise revolves around Sam, a 19-year-old about to have the summer of her life—at least, that’s what I hoped for her. She finds herself at a summer camp, working while her boyfriend Eli is off in Europe. The first two-thirds of the book unfolds beautifully as Sam battles her initial awkwardness to ultimately embrace camp life, forming bonds with her colleagues and campers. Mlynowski captures the camp atmosphere in a way that felt nostalgic—who doesn’t love the warmth of campfires, shenanigans, and friendships formed under starlit skies?
Yet, while I cherished the humor and camaraderie during this phase, it became increasingly apparent that Sam’s character bore the weight of immaturity befitting someone much younger than her stated age. As she meets Gavin, a fellow camp counselor, her behavior quickly escalates from innocent testing of boundaries to what felt like a moral quagmire. The tension peaks as she grapples with fidelity, which originally could have been a compelling exploration of young love.
However, this is where the story took a sharp turn into a territory I truly detest—there’s an underlying assumption that cheating is an acceptable act for teens. Sam’s rationalizations for her infidelity are troubling, suggesting that it’s entirely normal, almost trivializing the emotional stakes involved. Frankly, I found this message infuriating and misaligned with my moral compass. It’s one thing to create complex characters who make mistakes, but it’s another to frame their transgressions as commonplace or justified.
As I reached the concluding chapters, what began as an engaging story devolved into a chaotic whirlwind of justifications for unfaithfulness, making it impossible to reconcile the celebration of summer love with a narrative that condones such behavior. It’s disheartening when a well-crafted narrative sours because of a glaring philosophical divergence. The resolution felt rushed and unsatisfactory—Sam’s dismissive attitude towards the boy she hurt had me throwing my hands up in frustration. I can accept a lot from a book, but if it tries to shove a ridiculous sentiment down my throat, it’s game over for me.
Despite my disappointment, I still think that readers drawn to young adult romances might appreciate the book’s earlier charm and lighthearted essence—many may even overlook the problematic themes entirely. However, if you’re someone who, like me, struggles with narratives celebrating deception, this book could easily turn sour.
In closing, while I adored the vibrant camp setting and character dynamics early on, the unsettling normalization of infidelity ruined what could have been a heartfelt summer tale. Ultimately, I walked away feeling quite disillusioned but reminded of the importance of aligning narrative themes with more progressive, responsible ideas about love and respect.
I’d advise caution when recommending this book, especially to younger readers navigating their own understanding of relationships. Here’s hoping for a summer read that celebrates genuine love, loyalty, and connection when the next season rolls around!
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