🎟️“I was taught the indelible lesson that, to arrive at love, I must suffer through someone else’s idea of it. And yet even now, I resist the notion that we are reducible to our wounds.”

An author I love, who blurbed this book, described it as one which sits close to the bone. I couldn’t say it any better, but I’ll try:

In Playworld, we spend a year in the 1980s with a 14-year-old boy named Griffin, obsessed with the world of adulthood. He is let in, though mostly because every important adult figure in his life is taking advantage of him.

Softly told through the perspective of Griffin, who is now in adulthood, there is no attempt to shelter even himself from all that transpired: only the events, as they occurred, handed to the reader with all of the vulnerability, which can perhaps only so freely be given when we are that young.

At 500 pages, there were times when I felt a little overwhelmed by the density, though I never found myself wishing the book were finished. The longer I spent within this world, the more unwilling I was to leave it.

It’s a tender slow-dance of a novel. It left me examining all of my wounds, wondering if I might too one day be able to write about them so kindly.

In order for a five hundred and twenty five page novel about a person's freshman year of high school to be compelling two things have to be true; there has to be a considerable amount of self awareness on the writer’s part, that is, they need to know what they have decided to tell us is not only interesting and compelling to them but that it is also interesting and compelling to us, the audience. Also, the way in which they give us the story has to be undeniably captivating which is to say the author has got to know how to write. In Adam Ross’s latest novel Play World he gives us both.

In Play World we follow child actor Griffin through his freshman year of high school. Some things are par for the course. Griffin’s identity is closely attached to his high school wrestling career and he insistently prioritizes the female gaze. Other things are not so standard; throughout the year he’s groomed by his parent’s 36 year old married friend and mother of two and of course, his ever expanding acting career. Griffin’s entire family also sees a therapist named Elliot once a week religiously which might be commonplace in 2025 but is not a standard practice during Griffin’s coming of age. Griffin is surviving the New York City of yesteryear, the book takes place in 1980. Patron’s of the hit TV show Bluey know that when the 6 year old eponymous protagonist's father Bandit starts telling her a true bedtime story about his childhood he is often meant with disbelief merely based on things like the language that was permissible or the thresholds the children were allowed to occupy with little adult supervision. When Bluey and her sister push back Bandit simply responds with ‘it was the 80’s.’ I found myself experiencing a sentiment in community with both Bandit and Bluey as I consumed this story. I shrank at the way teacher’s spoke to Griffin, at the way an insurance man conned Griffin’s father after a house fire. Even the way Griffin’s family was able to comfortably survive New York City as a middle class household of four occasionally confused me. But hey, it was the ‘80’s.

As this book is a bit of auto fiction Ross seems to be exploring what the effects of being a professional performer were on his adolescent self. Already at 14 he had mastered not only being able to read what the person in front of him truly desired out of an interaction but he had also mastered the ability to give it to them. He defaults to this practice so much that it was making him lose track of himself. I’m not sure if he was realizing he was lost real time or if it was the hindsight of the narrator who revealed it to us, either way 14 proved to be a formidable year in regards to experiencing this false selfhood and in finding the language and the feelings to begin the process of kicking the habit.

I loved this book. Ross's command of his craft was prevalent from opening line to closing. I was immersed, the host of characters were vibrant and alive. Ross’s ability to expand his writing just enough so that we were firmly placed but not to much as to burden us with unnecessary details is a super power. Universal experiences like first crushes, surviving the hierarchy of high school or slowly realizing the humanity of your parents were immortalized in these pages for anyone to connect to. It has been 15 years since Ross gave us a novel. I would be willing to wait another 15 but I’m hopeful I don’t have to.

3.5 stars rounded up! PLAYWORLD is a gripping coming-of-age, slice-of-life story that centers around Griffin, a child actor growing up in 1980s NYC. This book was beautifully written, with so much attention to detail, and I also enjoyed how character-driven it was—it's clear to see how much Griffin grew throughout. It is quite the long read, and I struggled with the pacing at some points, but overall, I was truly immersed in Griffin's world, despite moments where the narrative felt a little slower-paced. If you love vivid, atmospheric coming-of-age narratives, this is the book for you! Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC.

Playworld feels like the kind of coming-of-age novel you’d dissect in a literature class—and I’m still deciding whether that’s a good thing or not.

The story follows Griffin, a child actor growing up in 1980s Manhattan. Set against the cultural backdrop of Reagan’s presidency, the royal wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and the rise of MTV, Griffin is surrounded by adults who consistently take advantage of him. He feels an obligation to his father, a man who has repeatedly failed to make something of himself. He senses he’s exhausting his therapist, and he’s being manipulated and abused by two people he should be able to trust: his wrestling coach and a family friend.

At 15, Griffin is overwhelmed by the mysteries of the people and world around him. Acting, something that once came so naturally, becomes increasingly challenging as the relationships in his life grow more complex and unstable.

The book’s strongest aspect is its exploration of character dynamics. Griffin experiences emotions deeply but lacks the words to articulate them, leaving him in a constant state of acting—playing roles to navigate his relationships and surroundings. This disconnect creates a layer of detachment between him and the events unfolding in his life. Is he playing the role of his father? The boy who likes a girl? The son?

Playworld is best described as a slice-of-life story—a glimpse into a year of Griffin’s life. It’s not heavy on plot but is punctuated by impactful and memorable moments. The writing alternates between being deeply immersive and overly dense, which can make the experience uneven. I listened to most of it as an audiobook, and I highly recommend that format. The narration by the author brings nuance to the prose, helping to make even the lengthy paragraphs feel more manageable.

It’s been quite a while since I’ve read something like this. The richly drawn characters, their motivations, and their defining moments make this feel like the perfect candidate for a deep literary analysis.

Dear Playworld,
You really reminded me of A Little Life with how deep and heavy you were. You were smaller in scope, only sharing a year for Griffin, but it was such a an important year for him. Everything that the adults in his life put him through was so hard. You had the honesty of a memoir, and I even googled Griffin to assure myself that he was a fictional character. You were so deep and layered and I was mesmerized by your writing and narrative.

Playworld doesn't exactly tread new ground -- I kept confusing it with another book about a boy growing up in the eighties in the Dakota, the son of a late night host -- but it's still an excellent read. Griffin is a fourteen year old child actor whose self absorbed parents largely let him fend for himself; he gets pulled into a relationship with a 36-year-old family friend as well as navigating school and more age appropriate relationships. The book meanders at points and could have used a tighter edit but overall it was compelling and immersive.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Knopf Publishing for the ARC of #Playworld by Adam Ross. What an incredibly vivid world I just walked through. Being from the NJ/NY area for the first half of my life, this novel was RICH - overflowing - with nostalgia. Jingles and products and the complete awkwardness of being a young teenager. The main character, Griffin Hurt, was so emotionally young but so "adultified" by the people in his life (including people who really took advantage of his naivete and insecurities as he tried to find his "way" in so many different worlds - school/academics, wrestling, acting, and romantic relationships. His parents, quite often, were not the greatest role models and were fairly hands-off.
Prior to this book's release (and before I secured the ARC) I revisited Mr. Peanut on audiobook and was reminded of the dark and layered way that Mr. Ross writes. He builds worlds (and characters) from the ground up and they do not fade once the book is done. In Playworld his characters (esp. the Hurt family) were even deeper and richer than I expected. I felt like I knew Griffin (and Oren!!) and was reminded of how differently people parented back then (including my own) and how many duplicitous and heartbreaking things children become aware of in the midst of day to day family life.
Adam Ross is an amazing writer. So much backstory was included on Griffin/Oren's Dad and in many ways this book felt like a tribute to family and also a cleaning out of closets full of shame and missteps -- in this case a young, impressionable teenager who happened to know how to "act" his way into (and out of) situations but did not have the wherewithal nor the experience to see consequences. Or to fully understand how he was being used in various life-changing ways. No spoilers but aspects of this novel broke my heart (and for good reason).
Griffin's a character who is growing throughout the novel - in awareness (sometimes too quickly and other times too slowly). A favorite character of mine (who was initially a giant red flag) is Elliott. He is a counselor who sees the entire family...individually...AND socializes with them?!! The circles that these families run in are well-off and semi- (to very) famous and it was really cool to see that these circles look enviable from afar but closer up there's A LOT of dysfunction and heartbreak (just like everywhere just in different ways). I will come back to this review and possibly add some favorite quotes but I wholeheartedly recommend this book and thank you for the opportunity to read and review it. I'll continue to share my positive thoughts on Goodreads and a few other platforms like IG and Twitter.

DNF 47%

It was difficult for me to decide to DNF this one. Playworld is a beautifully written tale of a 14-year-old navigating life in NYC in the 1980s.

Ultimately, I had a difficult time feeling interested in any of the characters. I struggled to feel anything while reading and, despite the great writing, I’m setting this one down for now.

Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Publishing for an advanced copy.

If someone had told me to read a 500-page coming-of-age novel narrated by a 14-year-old boy over the span of a year, I probably wouldn’t have been too excited. But the buzz around this novel was undeniable—more than a decade in the making—and when Ron Charles gives something his seal of approval, I have to give it a chance.

And I’m glad I did. This isn’t your typical 14-year-old or your typical coming-of-age story. Griffin Hurt’s artsy, affluent Manhattan upbringing is a far cry from my own suburban experience, but it closely mirrors the life of author Adam Ross. Like Griffin, Ross was a successful child actor. What’s refreshing is that Griffin is no diva. He’s not drawn to the spotlight and seems completely unfazed by his limited fame. Instead, his earnings go toward his private school tuition, future college costs, and keeping the family afloat between his dad’s sporadic acting jobs—a sobering glimpse into life in the arts.

Despite the predatory adults he encounters, Griffin remains surprisingly well-adjusted, helped by regular therapy sessions—a norm for his family. The characters are depicted with depth and nuance, and the novel offers a beautifully subtle and observant portrait of a boy coming into his own.

Though it’s a long read, it’s absolutely worth it.

This book was a literary accomplishment when it comes to sentence structure, level of detail and the immersive experience of living in NYC in the early 80s. I disagree with the fact that its being marketed as a story about how an adult friend of 14-year-old Griffin's parents' falls in love with him. This is a coming-of-age story about Griffin. It's about abuse, neglect, boyhood, growing up, brotherhood, and New York City. While the plot zips along for most of the first half, the second half was a little bit of a slog. I thought it was a bit too long and some of the sections were completely untethered to the story itself (like the scene with the crazy guy in Times Square). The movie scenes within the novel felt a bit indulgent to the author. Overall I wish it had been edited down, but I loved spending time with Griffin and watching him grow up.

If Playworld is the book that kicks off 2025 then we better be ready for amazing books. Playworld is unlike any book I'ver read. Imagine being a 15 old boy who has to deal with one his mothers' female friends hitting on him and then go to school and your male wrestling coach is doing the same. That sets the premise for this intense one of kind novel. It's one of those novel that you'll read 50-100 page then stop for a day and then. go back and do the same until you're finished with all 528 pages. Griffin is the main chacter who has to deal with this growing up in 1980's Manhattan. There are scenes in the novel that will stcik wth you forever. It's a back and forth style novel and you see in the end that he make it out but to have all this happen to you is what's remarkable. Oh did I mention he's a childhood actor on a hit tv show too!! I really don't want o say much more except that it's early 2025 and I can't imaine this book not being on top 10 lists. Mr. Ross keeps us waiting between novels but this one was definetly worth the wait!! Thank you to #knopf and #netgalley for the read. Going out to find a signed copy. One that goes in my physical book case!!!

This book requires the cursed combination of close attention, sufficient time, and strong determination, all three of which grad school has sapped away from me. This 500-page brick of a book is deeply impressive in its own attention to the minor details of Griffin's life, but is also excruciating slow in the telling of it. I did enjoy Ross' deconstruction of child stardom, fueled by his own experiences as a successful young actor, and his take on the predatory practices of "well-meaning" adults. However, this novel required a herculean level of dedication to immersing myself in a story that I unfortunately didn't find all that immersive. While I have to hand it to Ross for his beautiful portrait of NYC in the 80s, a talent for atmosphere just wasn't enough to keep the narrative flowing.

Wow. This was very long but I enjoyed it a lot. Griffin was such a well developed character and I kept wanting to find out what would happen next. The descriptions were immaculate -- I felt like I was in New York in 1980 and 1981. So well written, irreverent and poigant. Give it a try!!

Playworld comes out tomorrow on January 7, 2025, and you can purchase HERE!

In the fall of 1980, when I was fourteen, a friend of my parents named Naomi Shah fell in love with me. She was thirty-six, a mother of two, and married to a wealthy man. Like so many things that happened to me that year, it didn’t seem strange at the time.

I love coming of age stories and I loved going so deeply into one specific year with Griffin. This is just plain good story telling and character development, no frills. Highly recommend!

Playworld is a lengthy and descriptive journey through a momentous year of a very disaffected high schooler. Griffin lives in NYC with his parents and brother, stars in a TV show about a superhero family, and is very devoted to his prep school wrestling team. His singer dad & dancer mom have a strained relationship, and he's vaguely haunted in being involved in a fire that destroyed his apartment - or at least not acting quickly enough to get his brother out. He has complicated relationships with his parents' friends -- including one being the family shrink and another taking an unhealthy interest that goes very far. He also gets involved with a girl his own age, and uses his part in a film for a Woody Allen-esque director/actor that's shooting across from her school, and she expertly keeps him hanging on while involved with a classmate of his. She provides exposure to a rich Hamptons summer lifestyle, and he comes back determined to make some changes, taking the initiative in creating a D&D universe and also being positively affected by coaching changes. Overall, he's floating through some compelling circumstances and the characters are very well-written and spoken. His contrasts with his brother in general and specifically how they related to their parents' estrangement and their shared past is insightful.

Described as a coming-of-age/historical/literary fiction book, Playworld is a chunky book. Clocking in at over 500 pages, it’s a book that demands attention, and in return, one would hope to have an engaging, pleasurable reading experience.

Unfortunately, this book was anything but pleasurable. While there are vignettes sprinkled throughout that I enjoyed, after finishing, there are just too many things that make this a hard book for me to recommend.

At it’s best, this novel is atmospheric and the writing is great. I highlighted a ton of passages and have caught myself reflecting on pieces of the story. The characters are memorable, and I have no doubt that this is a book I’ll be able to remember next December when I begin reflecting back on my reading year. Poor Griffin…I’d love to know what happened to him as he grew up and how he came to terms with everything that happened in this one year span of the book!
Another aspect I loved was how Ross made New York City SHINE! It made me want to travel these streets like Griffin did in the early 1980s. I can’t fathom sending my kid on a subway or train or taxi without me, but I think New Yorkers are built different. If anything, this book is a love letter to the city and she basks in the praise!

What didn’t work for me was the predatory behavior of the adults. Naomi is a family friend who is 36 years old, a wife, and mother to two girls. She is obsessed with Griffin who is 14 YEARS OLD! in this book. Their relationship doesn’t start out as sexual, but it is wildly inappropriate and I couldn’t understand what the purpose was. In addition to Naomi, Griffin’s wrestling coach is sexually abusive to his players, and again, it was just too much. (I literally read this entire book, against my better judgment to DNF, in hopes that the inclusions of these two plot points would be cleared up for me. They weren’t.)

Since finishing, I’ve concluded that life in NYC in the 80s was something very different than we’re used to now. This is pre-helicopter parenting - where children roamed much more freely than kids do now. Regardless, Ross took that too far for me when the kids became neglected by every adult in their lives - and not just neglected - but flat-out preyed upon and ignored. The parents were so self-absorbed that eventually started hate reading so I could get it finished.

In Adam Ross’s long-awaited second novel, we find what would have happened if John Irving wrote the screenplay for "The Graduate" with a little Gatsby sprinkled in for good measure. An immersive reminiscence, an homage to the bygone, bike riding era of the 1980s that any GenXer - whether raised in NY or not - will savor for quite some time. This book was more than worth the wait.

Roughly 15 years since his last novel, this new one from Adam Ross was worth the wait. Good things take time! I loved this story. Filled with flawed characters and unexpected developments, Playworld is a slow burn, detailed ode to coming of age in a specific time and place (1980s New York City). I thought it was beautifully written. Its 500+ pages shouldn't scare anyone off—by the novel's conclusion, I was wishing it wouldn't end. At some point, I imagine I will read it again.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book in advance of its publication. I've already pre-ordered a finished copy because it's one I want to own.

I was originally intrigued by the synopsis for this book, but this was honestly a bit of a struggle to get through. This often felt too wordy, and pages would go by where nothing much happened. I found myself skimming over sections just to move the story along faster. That said, I was interested in all of the dynamics throughout the book. This was such a strange coming of age story, and the plot with Naomi paired with the child acting of Griffin made things all the more interesting. Watching how things slowly (very slowly) unfolded with both Griffin’s family and Naomi was the only thing that kept me interested in this book. This was a fine book but I don’t think it was the right one for me.

Ooooooo, this isn't it.

Maybe I'm tired of predatory stories. Maybe I'm tired of coming of age books. Maybe, just maybe, there are some things that don't need to be written about. I understand the POINT, but felt that the relationship portrayed in this novel was vile. I will never enjoy a story about a sexual predator.

Thanks, but no thanks.