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The Playground
by
Big Little Lies meets Lord of The Flies in this electrifyingly twisty follow-up to Jane Shemilt’s breakout debut The Daughter.
Over the course of a long, hot summer in London, the lives of three very different married couples collide when their children join the same tutoring circle, resulting in illicit relationships, shocking violence, and unimaginable fallout.
There’s ...more
Over the course of a long, hot summer in London, the lives of three very different married couples collide when their children join the same tutoring circle, resulting in illicit relationships, shocking violence, and unimaginable fallout.
There’s ...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication:
December 30th 2019
by William Morrow Paperbacks
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Three families and their children become close over the course of a summer. The parents become too focused on their selves and leave the children too much freedom. When bad things start to happen the parents are devastated. The truth is much worse than they originally thought. This was a good thriller but at times, the story doesn't make as much sense as it should. Some of the characters actions are very questionable. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.
First Sentence:
It was surprising how quickly things took off in the end, like a bonfire, one of those big ones the children loved so much."
The Playground by Jane Shemilt is an insightful story that explores how engrossed some can become in their own needs and desires, and what is perceived as happiness that they ignore the glaring signs that all is not what it should be with those closest to them.
The story centers around three couples that form an unlikely yet close friendship when their ...more
It was surprising how quickly things took off in the end, like a bonfire, one of those big ones the children loved so much."
The Playground by Jane Shemilt is an insightful story that explores how engrossed some can become in their own needs and desires, and what is perceived as happiness that they ignore the glaring signs that all is not what it should be with those closest to them.
The story centers around three couples that form an unlikely yet close friendship when their ...more
Even though this was a fiction book, it was very disturbing. Once I started reading this book I could not put it down. There is so much going on in this story it made me angry at times and sad at times and even sick to my stomach at other times. How parents can let there children out of there site and not know what they are up to at all times is a scary thought. This book takes things up 10 notches. This is a fantastic story! I was a little disappointed in the ending but it was such an amazing
...more
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and deliciously wicked read. Given the subject matter of missing children, it may not be to everyone’s taste, but I loved it. Shemilt is an excellent writer and this was unputdownable.
Many thanks to Netgalley, William Morrow and Jane Shemilt for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, William Morrow and Jane Shemilt for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
There’s a lot of things I’m not sure about in The Playground. I’m not sure if there’s really a plot line for the first half of the book. The characters, adults and children both, just go in circles around each other, manipulating and contriving. I’m not really sure what the title has to do with the book unless it’s a metaphor, since the playground built for the youngest child barely makes an appearance. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to like any of the characters since most of them are weak-willed
...more
Three families from different backgrounds come together as their children are all in the same tutoring group. The adults are so self-involved that they don’t pay attention to the children until tragedy strikes. At that point their lives unravel and we learn the truth of what really went on that summer.
A lot of characters, and a lot of slow moments made it almost difficult to read. I was confused and the characters were not likable, unfortunately. After said tragedy, the story picks up and ...more
A lot of characters, and a lot of slow moments made it almost difficult to read. I was confused and the characters were not likable, unfortunately. After said tragedy, the story picks up and ...more
I received this as a Goodreads giveaway...This is a really well written work of psychological suspense (close to Horror at times) about three families that become (too) involved with each other after three of the children become part of the same tutoring group. I couldn't put it down! I'm so excited I discovered this author.....and will definitely be reading her past and future works.
Nov 08, 2019
Morgan Schulman
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reader-s-copy
I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review
This one was pretty twisty- some more obvious than others but still an enjoyable ride. You really do you fall in love with the main characters, even the evil ones. Solid 4
This one was pretty twisty- some more obvious than others but still an enjoyable ride. You really do you fall in love with the main characters, even the evil ones. Solid 4
Very interesting book with twists. Compliments to author for her flowing narrative.
Unfortunately, this book isn't for me. The combination of a large cast of normative, unrelatable characters, and slow pacing was not enjoyable. I didn't end up finishing it.
This was an absolutely engrossing read, and much darker than I expected. I accidentally finished the second half of this book in one day, because I could not put it down.
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Jane is a general practitioner who completed a post graduate diploma in Creative Writing at Bristol university and went on to study for a M.A in Creative writing at Bath Spa. She was shortlisted for the Janklow and Nesbitt award and the Lucy Cavendish fiction prize for Daughter, her first novel.
She and her husband, a Professor of Neurosurgery, have 5 children and live in Bristol, England.
She and her husband, a Professor of Neurosurgery, have 5 children and live in Bristol, England.
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