Full Disclaimer: Playground by Aron Beauregard is not for the faint of heart! This book contains graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.
I may have been influenced into buying myself a copy of Playground by Aron Beauregard because most BookTokkers said they couldn’t get past page 46 … Oh, how I love a challenge! I mean, how bad could it be? Well, let’s just say that as someone who isn’t necessarily squeamish, even I struggled at times to continue reading the book. The vivid descriptions of some graphic situations can only be described as nightmare-inducing. At the same time, the creativity involved in this horror-fueled novel is absolutely stellar.
Playground by Aron Beauregard
In a world where horror literature often teeters on the edge of desensitization, Aron Beauregard’s Playground plunges readers headlong into a realm of relentless terror, redefining the boundaries of the splatterpunk genre. What begins as an enticing premise involving low-income families, a cliffside estate, and a revolutionary playground quickly transforms into a harrowing descent into the darkest corners of the human psyche.
Beauregard masterfully constructs a world where the line between good and evil blurs, and the characters’ humanity is laid bare. At the heart of this gut-wrenching tale are three low-income families, thrust into a diabolical experiment orchestrated by the enigmatic Geraldine Borden. As the children are subjected to the sadistic playground, the parents are forced to bear witness to their offspring’s torment. It’s a macabre theater that unfolds with an eerie grace and every parent’s worst nightmare come to life.
Villains, Victims, and Violence …
The brilliance of Playground by Aron Beauregard lies in its characters. The victims, both young and old, elicit empathy effortlessly. The reader is drawn into their despair, feeling every ounce of their anguish. The parents’ helplessness and the children’s struggle for survival are palpable, making it impossible not to invest emotionally in their plight.
Yet, where Beauregard truly shines is in the creation of his villains. Geraldine Borden and her henchmen comprise a rogues’ gallery that is nothing short of diabolical. Their malevolent intentions, twisted motivations, and ruthless actions make them exceptionally easy to despise. You may find yourself seething with anger at the sheer repulsiveness of their characters, a testament to Beauregard’s skill in crafting morally complex antagonists.
The violence and gore, while undeniably present, do not overshadow the emotional intensity of the story, though. Beauregard expertly balances the brutality with the characters’ psychological and emotional journeys.
Amidst the bloodshed and chaos, there exists a scene of “intimacy” so grotesque it challenges the boundaries of depravity. Beauregard’s unflinching descriptions evoke visceral reactions, eliciting shock and fascination in equal measure. It’s a testament to his mastery of the genre and his willingness to push its limits …
In Conclusion
Playground is an exhilarating and, at times, revolting literary experience that defies easy categorization. Aron Beauregard crafts a tale that delves into the darkest recesses of the human condition, challenging readers to confront their own moral boundaries. While the subject matter may be taboo, the reward for venturing into this horrifying world is a beautifully written narrative that grips you from start to finish.
The characters, both victims and villains, are the backbone of the narrative. From Rock’s journey of revenge to the resilience of Isaac, Donnie, CJ, Tanya, Tom, Molly, and Rock, each character is meticulously crafted. Geraldine Borden emerges as a formidable and detestable antagonist, her twisted motivations and repulsive actions casting a long shadow over the narrative.
In the end, Playground by Aron Beauregard delivers a satisfying conclusion, tying up loose ends and offering glimpses into the remaining children’s fates. The emotional impact of the story is felt most deeply in the closing chapters, as the reader witnesses the ultimate reckoning for the characters, both good and evil.
Salad
2024-08-08 - 3:29 pm ·I read this book and though it was difficult I thought it was good. However, I keep seeing reviewers say that no character is good or bad, that everyone exhibits shades of gray. I couldn’t disagree more. Some characters are simply evil. Some are pitiably evil. Others are just good. I think a lot of people, when reading extreme horror, try to comfort themselves with a cloak of crapsack fatalism. It helps one accept what happens in the book, helps you rise above the trauma of the book’s events. But that’s just not what happens in the book. Other than the adopted son of the villain, the difference between the morality and conduct of the characters is pretty clear cut.