Playworld

Adam Ross’s novel Playworld tells protagonist Griffin Hurt’s coming-of-age story. Originally published in January 2025 by Alfred A. Knopf, the novel is written from Griffin’s first-person point of view and set in 1980s New York City. Playworld was preceded by Ross’s 2010 debut novel Mr. Peanut and his 2011 short story collection Ladies and Gentlemen. Through Griffin’s adolescent experiences in the city, the novel explores themes including the Influence of Adult Relationships on Adolescent Development, the Dichotomy Between Public Image and Private Reality, and Navigating Challenges in a Fast-Paced Environment. 

This guide refers to the 2025 Alfred A. Knopf hardcover edition of the novel.

Content Warning: The source text and guide feature depictions of cursing, substance use, sexual content, violence, bullying, sexual harassment, and child sexual abuse.

Plot Summary

In 1980, protagonist and first-person narrator Griffin Hurt is 14 years old and just starting his freshman year at Boyd, a private school. He lives in Manhattan with his parents, Shel and Lily Hurt, and his younger brother, Oren. Because Shel is an actor struggling financially, he forces Griffin to use the money from his child acting career to pay for his Boyd tuition. Griffin started acting when he was in the second grade—an opportunity that secured him a recurring role on a popular television series, The Nuclear Family.

When Griffin isn’t taping The Nuclear Family, he’s trying to succeed at school and stay in shape for wrestling. His distorted relationship with his coach, Mr. Kepplemen, particularly weighs on him. Although he feels uncomfortable with Kepplemen’s sexual harassment, Griffin tells no one (not even his psychologist, Elliott Barr) about the abusive relationship.

One day, Griffin and his family attend Elliott and his wife Lynn’s anniversary party. While there, Griffin has a conversation with his parents’ friend, 36-year-old Naomi Shah. In the weeks following, Griffin starts running into Naomi in the city. He often finds her sitting outside Juilliard, waiting for her daughters to finish their rehearsals. The two begin to take drives together around the city. Naomi listens to Griffin when he opens up about his frustrations at school and home. She comforts him and, over time, starts showing him physical affection. Griffin is initially uncomfortable with this dynamic but becomes attached to Naomi. However, he temporarily ends their relationship so he can focus on the wrestling season.

Although Griffin likes wrestling, he doesn’t know how to handle his relationship with his coach, which often precludes him from winning matches and staying healthy. Kepplemen not only assaults Griffin when they’re alone together but also verbally abuses him during wrestling practice. 

Kepplemen is particularly hard on Griffin when he fails to maintain the necessary weight for his wrestling class. Over the winter break, Griffin knows he’s supposed to stay in shape but doesn’t work out and intentionally overeats. When he returns to school after the holiday, Kepplemen is furious. Griffin spends several days trying to lose 12 pounds before the upcoming tournament. He sees Naomi during this time, and she notices how unwell he looks. Worried, she calls his mother. Lily then notifies the school that Kepplemen is harming his wrestlers with unfair standards, and the school reassigns him elsewhere.

In the following months, Griffin finishes the wrestling season and starts auditioning for new acting roles. He receives a leading role in the famous director Alan Hornbeam’s new movie, Take Two. While shooting one day, he notices an attractive girl on the street outside. The two end up riding the bus home together. Griffin learns that her name is Amanda West and gets her phone number.

Griffin and Amanda start spending time together. He is enamored with her and thinks he’s falling in love until one day she reveals that she’s dating Griffin’s classmate Rob. Although devastated, Griffin doesn’t give up on Amanda, and they continue hanging out.

Around the time that school lets out for the summer, Lily discovers that Shel is having an affair. She leaves Manhattan to spend a few months with her friend Al Moretti in Montauk. Griffin tags along in hopes of meeting up with Amanda, who’s spending the summer with her father in nearby Westhampton. He takes the train to her house, but Amanda is distant and rude throughout the weekend. Griffin contacts Al and Lily about returning to Montauk, but they send him to stay with Naomi’s family in Great Neck for the rest of the summer instead.

Trapped and alone, Griffin feels powerless when Naomi reignites their relationship. The two begin a secret affair, sleeping together in Naomi’s car or Griffin’s room when her husband Sam and daughters aren’t there. One day, Sam catches them together in his office. He and Naomi get into a violent fight that terrifies Griffin. He takes Sam’s car and drives all the way back to Manhattan.

In the following months, Griffin’s family finds their way back together. Griffin decides that he’s done with acting. He confronts Shel about the matter, and Shel agrees to let him quit. He then ends his relationships with Naomi and Amanda because they feel too painful for him. After parting with Amanda, he takes a bike ride through the city and marvels at New York’s beauty and mystery.