"Playworld," | Reviewed by Pat Sainz

Navigating the teen years, especially if that teen is left mostly to his own devices, forms the basis of “Playworld,” a powerful novel by Adam Scott. The character-driven story is a chronological coming-of-age account of Griffin Hurt, an actor in a popular children’s television show. He lives in Manhattan with his parents and his brother. Places in Manhattan are beautifully described, the book a virtual walk through the city.

Historical references to the era in which Griffin lives provide meaning and context to Griffin’s life. During Griffin’s teen years, he witnesses the presidential elections of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, the near-assassination of Reagan, the Challenger explosion, the killing of John Lennon, and the Iran hostage crisis. Studio 54 and its celebrities are in the news. These events mirror the turmoil in Hurt’s life.

Griffin not only has his television job, he also occasionally acts in movies. Much of his time outside of school, where is he a mediocre student, is spent going to auditions. He misses a lot of school because of this. It's a private institution, and Griffin uses proceeds from acting to cover his tuition. He’s on the wrestling team, a passion that fulfills him but requires effort—whereas acting is second nature to him.

      Griffin’s mother is a ballet instructor and is getting a degree in literature. His father is an opera singer who appears on Broadway. He makes his living by doing voices-overs for commercials. Anytime Griffin watches television or listens to the radio, he hears his father’s voice. 

      Griffin’s brother Oren is younger, elusive, and leads a more typical teenage life than Griffin. Oren secretly harbors a feeling of alienation following a traumatic event experienced by the whole family in his early years.

      Throughout his life, Griffin has been surrounded by adults, primarily because of his occupation. Adults find Griffin to be a willing listener and often inappropriately share their confidences with him. Thus, his ideas about life come from observing the adults in his life. He isn’t sure how to communicate with his peers.

      Although Griffin’s parents are kind to their sons, they are too involved in their own lives to notice that Griffin and Oren are not okay. Griffin is clueless as to what “normalcy” might look like because of his occupation and because of his parents’ inattentiveness.

      A theme throughout the book is Griffin’s loneliness. Because he has no sense of self, he suffers humiliation at the hands of a girl he thinks he loves. His mother’s 36-year-old friend, and his wrestling coach, are abusive and take advantage of him for their own purposes. Griffin has little inkling that this is abnormal behavior.

     “Playworld” is an engaging, sensitive story, and Griffin is a sympathetic character. I wish I had read this book when my own children were teens. The story makes it clear that even teens who seem to be on an “even keel” need adult guidance and serious attention. They are not to be taken for granted.

       At 500 pages, “Playworld” may look daunting, but its linear storyline makes it easy to read. The ending is satisfying, even “victorious.” 

Author Adam Ross was a child actor in Manhattan, and he calls the story semi-autobiographical. Ross is the author of “Mr. Peanut” which was selected as a New York Times best book in 2010. 

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