Playing House
Author: Fredrica Wagman
- Publisher: Random House Inc
- Pub. Date: May 2008
- ISBN-13: 9781581952254
- Sales Rank: 307,131
- 176pp
- Edition Number: 35
Synopsis
When Playing House appeared in 1973, Publishers Weekly hailed it, “A probing descent into madness that will fascinate the same audience that appreciated I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” This nationally bestselling story of one woman’s struggle with the lasting effects of a childhood sexual relationship with her brother shocked American readers; it remains a literary work of enduring quality and value. In his foreword Philip Roth writes, “The traumatized child; the institutionalized wife; the haunting desire; the ghastly business of getting through the day – what is striking about Wagman’s treatment of these contemporary motifs is the voice of longing in which the heroine shamelessly confesses to the incestuous need that is at once her undoing and her only hope.”
My Review:
I got this book from FSB Associates to read and review. I was excited to get this book and at first it looked like this might be an interesting read. I started to read it, and I too soon realized that this is not a book for me. I kept reading though thinking it will get better. Nope, nada, sorry. Now I am an adult in my 30s. But as I read this book, I felt like I was a child reading this. The story jumps around quicker than I can blink my eyes. Not only that but I have no connection to the characters leaving me not to care what happens with them. The way this book is written, I feel like it is for a genius to read and not a normal read for normal minded people. It’s complex writing left me with one word–huh?! So sad to say, I didn’t even finish this book. I barely made it to chapter three. Maybe someone will have better luck with this book, but I know that this book will not find its way to my bookshelf of favorites.
My Rating:
DNF (did not finish)
Nikola
I’ve read about this book, and I hope I’ll read it soon. Too bad you didn’t like it.
I love your blog, it looks so pretty!
Jenny
I haven’t read it yet but I started to read the introduction and realized it may be a lot different than what I was expecting!
bibliophile23
I haven’t read this one yet but I have read The Lie, Wagman’s other book, and loved it. It definitely is not a writing style for everyone and it took me a bit to get used to it.
Great review!
Dannie
I liked it. I don’t think it really takes a genius to read it, just someone who’s open minded. I’m fourteen and I understood it.
Amy
This comment has been removed by the author.
okbolover
hrm. I just recieved this one last week. About to start it sooner or later. Sorry you didn’t enjoy it. I am hoping it’s much better than The Lie. I didn’t really like that one that much.
The Plumber's Wife
I’m in the middle of reading Playing House and I’m having a hard time. I consider myself a very open-minded person, but this book too much for me. I feel that because I said I would review it, I need to finish it. Easier said than done.
I appreciate your honest review! (found it through book blogs ning forum) Ethical blogging isn’t always easy.