Let's Go Play at the Adams'

De: Mendal W Johnson

Narrado por: Matt Godfrey

"They're just kids.... It's only a game." That's what Barbara, a lovely 20-year-old babysitter told herself when she awoke bound and gagged. But the knots were tight and painful and the children would not let her go.

"They're just kids.... It's only a game," she told herself again. But the terror was real...and deadly!

In the decades since its original publication, Mendal W. Johnson's best-seller Let's Go Play at the Adams' (1974) has gained a reputation as one of the most harrowing horror novels ever written, and copies have long been unobtainable except at exorbitant prices. Now this first-ever audiobook version of the novel, read by award-winning narrator Matt Godfrey, adds a new dimension of horror to this cult masterpiece.

©2020 Mendal W. Johnson (P)2020 Valancourt Books LLC

Democracy Wow!

Heard about this book in a few different places only as a horror novel. When I heard it was a commentary on democracy I knew I had to delve in. Well written work from all the different perspectives, and you do get all the perspectives.
Knowing that the children had conflicting feelings on what they were doing but they all abode by the vote makes it even more chilling.
Too bad that Mr Johnson died so soon after or we could have more gems like this! It seems crazy that no one has made a movie about this yet!

Very Dark

This is a story of children who decided to control the babysitter by captivity so that they could have a summer of no rules, for all intensive purposes.
It's also a story of the end of their childhood in a way, going through that choice that honestly pretty much no one specially children do.
I have heard and read mixed reviews mostly of the ending and while it really is crazy, is it actually maybe more likely?
I think that these children drift into a darkness that they enjoy without even knowing. The way that they convince themselves it's ok, is in itself immaturity. Ironic since what they do pretty much ends their childhood at the same time.
Now I have read that a lot of reviewers are upset that there was no punishment or recognition in sorts but I take the ending almost as open ending which if I didn't know from other review it probably would have left me upset as well but I was ready for something surprising or upsetting.
I would absolutely compare this to the girl next door except that it's the children without adults, making the children even more evil.
When an author can take ann adorable girl named Cindy and keep that childlike sweetness while being a monster, well that is just good writing.
I do suggest this, it is a long read, I listened to it on audible during drives or household chores, sorta wanted to skip ahead. not sure if I am glad that I didn't, if was so intense I needed every word but as a reader that's a big no no so I assume am in a way happy that I didn't.

At a loss for words

I do not know what to say except holy terror and yes it could happen This has chilled me even though I’ve known demons large and smal and understand depravity has no age and the masses move as one without so much as a thought of questioning or ceasing, even though all of that is true, I like Barbara cannot believe it

could've been better

This could've been better. This was pretty dull and boring for the most part. I expected more tension and it was predictable af

a nasty piece of work..

Horrifying story tastefully done. More of a character driven think piece, than a splatter gore offering.

Dark, interesting, but not scary.

The author does an amazing job of diving into the minds of each character. They all seem so real and that's what makes it such a f***** up story. However, the ending left me unsatisfied and I can't really complain about why without spoiling it. I don't regret listening to the audiobook but now that I've finished it I'm sitting in my car frustrated with the author.

Good Lord, that was messed up.

I hope that characters like this don’t exist in real life. It was creative, impressive and appalling. I’m glad I read it, yet I hope I never, ever, ever read anything this grueling and horrific ever again in my life. Jesus Christ.

Disturbing

This book is what the movie Funny Games COULD have been. A simple, albeit horrific, story, written in an artful manner. Disturbing in that I have met each of these kids throughout my life, and it's not difficult to imagine this sort of thing having actually happened had those kids been known contemporaries of each other...and I'd be willing to bet that those stars have lined up perfectly on more than a few occasions throughout history. ...disturbing. *shudder*

Extremely Disturbing

I realize this is an older story but all I could think of was, this akin to Lord of the Flies meets Gerald's Game. I suppose the most irritating aspect (for me) is there is no final justice or final resolution. This is NOT for the squeamish.

There is allegedly a sequel to this but I can't find it, to date on audible. I'd like to find it for these little brats need to get their comeuppance.

Difficult, Powerful, Lots to be desired...

Due to its subject material, I certainly can't say this was an enjoyable read. Powerful, sometimes. Other times, it tended to miss its mark, at least for me.

A horrifying story of Barbra's imprisonment and torture by a group of 10 to 17-year-olds, this book tries to comment on far too much in its runtime. I feel that if it had focused more on trying to engage the reader in the torture experience -- which it did fantastically when it tried -- it would have allowed the reader to experience life from Barbra's perspective a little better.

There was also lots of weird misogyny sprinkled in, which might be forgiven as the 1970's of it all, but to me felt a little too enlightened to just write off as nothing. It felt to me like the author knew better, but was writing against his beliefs, and it comes off as disjointed and awkward in the end.

Still evaluating this one, this might take some time.