Book Review: Let's Go Play at the Adams'
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- I apologize if I got a little too descriptive when recounting an event that happened to me several years ago. This book reminded me of it and I guess I haven't gotten over it.
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I didn't realize this was Johnson's only published book before he died. It's the sign of a good writer when he or she can bring out such strong emotions.
@Priscilla Bettis I didn't know it either so you're not alone and I agree 100%
I had a very similar reaction after reading it: Just a mental blank, followed by haunting thoughts and questions.
What a horrific experience you went through. I’m sorry you had to go through something so monstrous. I remember as a kid, being surrounded by other kids, and it really felt like I was surrounded by monsters at times. The fact that one of the most monstrous novels is centered around kids really says a lot!
@Plagued by Visions Thank you, my friend. I like kids but I'm also quite aware that they can be little monsters at times. Look at the two kids that murdered James Bulger. Talk about monsters.
Been thinking about this book and why it bothers me so much. In a simple and straightforward way I think it's a cautionary tale of how people can lead themselves into concluding that an ends can justify a means no matter how horrific it is. We do such be it as adults or children.
What the kids do is half the horror. Why they do it is the other half the horror.
I have to argue with some people here who say how monstrous the kids are. What adds to the disturbing nature of this books is that these kids have chosen the most expedient solution to the problem they created, and that is what adults too often do. I think at the end the kids became adults by doing those exact cold-logic things that adults do. Wars, destruction, etc.
This story takes place during the Vietnam War. I recall the news reporting daily on the number killed on both sides as if it was a football game score.
From my understanding and what you described, this book is also based on the case of Sylvia Likens, but this book just focuses on the kids aspect of the case. There is no Ruth Chandler/Gertrude Baniszewski type of antagonist in this story.
@James Smith Fitness I have heard that it's based on real life events but I'm not sure if it's based on the Likens case. I'll have to find out now. My curiosity is piqued.
@James Smith Fitness Okay yeah it does look like it's based loosely on the Likens case. I don't why I didn't associate it with it when I was reading it.
I really don’t see how. It’s not the same story at all.
I don't think I'll ever read this book, it's not my thing. But I do love hearing the wide spectrum of other people's thoughts on it. It seems like no matter if the reader likes or dislikes it, the common theme is that it's extremely visceral so I guess the author did his job.
@Elizabeth Sagewood I can certainly agree with that. What gets me is the manuscripts that were rejected before publishers took a chance on this. I get a feeling they were either very bad or even more disturbing.
I would not recommend it. I wish I didn't read it, I'm very sad now.
Holy crap that story you told is horrifying 😱 I heard about this book from Juan from Plagued by Visions and I can’t say I would ever read it. I think the perceived innocence of kids definitely makes them even creepier when they turn out to be psychos. 👀 Totally feel you, John: sometimes we just need to process books 🤣
@Caleb Hurych I agree. Some books like this one just aren't for everybody. I'll be processing this one for a while.
Was you kitten OK? What a little twerp..That fact that he premeditated and specifically mess with the aquariums and the animals as well as stealing is scary..George seems like a future killer with behavior such as this.
@Aeon2Flux No. Sadly, the kitten died.
@@WritteninBlood Aww man that's messed up. I hope some kind of karmic kickback happened to that kid. Unfortunately that isn't really a thing in this world. Mostly bad people do horrible things to good ones and are rewarded for their behavior nowadays..
Let's Go Play at the Adams is a book I want to read at some point. It sounds really messed up.
@Mindy's Book Journey Hmmm...yep; messed up is an apt description 👌😉👍
It's depressing filth
*spoiler warning*
I wonder if Stephen King's short story Children of the Corn (1977) might have been inspired by Let's Go Play... (1974) as both have kids killing adults in a fallow corn field.
@henrytjernlund It is very possible. I actually didn't think of that until you mentioned it, but son of a b*tch you may be right.
Cindy is 10
@Amanda Johnson Okay.
I regret reading it, I'm very sad now. 😢
@GroupConglomerate Why?
@@WritteninBlood you have to ask?
@@GroupConglomerate Yeah, I do. You didn't give a reason as to why you're sad or why you regret reading it. Why is a legitimate question.
@@WritteninBlood well I don't want say too much and spoil the ending for your viewers. Maybe I'm just too used to movies which usually have happy endings or some kind of satisfying resolution at the end. I thought it may not end well for Barbara but I thought there'd at least be some kind of justice at the end. If that's too much of a spoiler let me know and I'll delete the comment :) Anyhow I'm quite sad now even though it's fiction.
You and books about creepy or terrible children with these last few reviews.
What the hell caused George to break into your home and do that?
@E.D. Lewis Reviews Your guess is as good as mine. He was a friend of my nephew and would sometimes be with him when he came over so all I can figure is he found out about the boot full of quarters and decided to steal them. Why he did the rest I have no idea other than he's a psychopath in training.