Man Camp
by Adrienne Brodeur
Published by Ballantine Books
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Women can't seem to live with men, but can't live without them, either. Why is that? Perhaps, biology is the answer. Men, unlike their counterparts in the animal kingdom, don't have a clue about how to court a woman. Biologist Lucy Stone and her best friend and actor, Martha McKenna, decide to tackle the courting deficiencies of the male species in Adrienne Brodeur's Man Camp.
Lucy Stone has settled into a secure, yet uncomfortable relationship with boyfriend, Adam. She thinks he's "the one" but is disturbed that he seems to be losing his professional confidence and is unable to do simple things like build a fire or jump-start a car. Martha McKenna has had too many bad first dates and is avoiding more because it's just too discouraging.
Men need help courting women and Martha decides she's the one to educate them. She starts a company called FirstDate. Clients hire Martha and take her out on a first date where she critiques their courtship skills. The dates are disastrous and it is clear the men need after-care.
Lucy believes men would benefit from the example of her old college friend, Cooper Tuckington. He's made chivalry an art form. Lucy and Martha convince Adam, and a handful of men to visit Cooper's farm where they will learn how to treat a woman. But life often takes a detour and its Lucy and Martha who gain an education.
What makes Man Camp so much fun is the unique premise and setting of the book. The biologist heroine and her comparisons between the animal kingdom and men are both original and interesting.
Armchair Interviews says: Man Camp should be added to your list of delightful beach reads this summer. A lot of women are going to want to sign up their guys for Man Camp.