“Playworld”

I LOVED this book!  It is a coming of age story about a teenage boy from Manhattan in 1980 - akin to “Catcher in the Rye” and “The World According to Garp”.  Adam Ross wrote this novel based on some of his own experiences growing up as he too was a child actor, a high-school wrestler and an adolescent with all sorts of adult role models in his life - from loving to abusive. I caught wind of the Playworld from Elin Hilderbrand’s podcast “Books, Beach and Beyond” Season 3 Introduction as she discussed her current favorite reads.  She was effusive about Ross’ incredibly descriptive prose and complex character development.  I loved all the references to pop culture of the early 80’s as that was my coming of age era as well. For more on Adam Ross and Playworld, read Listening below where Elin interviews Adam.