Review: Playing House by Fredrica Wagman

Playing house is a book that is hard to describe. I read the synopsis of the book and had an idea what I was going to be reading about before I started. But, reading it, I realized it went a few steps beyond what I had expected. The subject matter is intense and dark at times. But your mind will be engaged the entire time you read this.

The main character is a woman that began having sex with her brother when she was younger. However, you do not feel sorry for her. In fact, she compares her more recent sexual encounters to those of her brother. Then her brother leaves and things go down hill for her.

This book is written using the stream of consciousness literary device, much like her most recent novel, The Lie. I found this one to somewhat better structured than her most recent book, the punctuation and paragraphs are much more organized. However, the mind of this woman and the subject matter are quite a bit darker.

I am glad I read this book. This one is far from cookie cutter and you will have so many conflicting opinions when you are done. At one point I wanted to smack this woman and at others I wanted to hug her and tell her that things will turn out. It is very dramatic and full of twists. It is rare that a book can surprise me, this one shocked the hell out of me in one place.

Be warned, this book is not for everyone. If you have trouble reading difficult and objectionable subject matter, you may want to pass on this one. However, if you can wrap your mind around the struggles this woman has and causes, you will enjoy the book.