Play by Jess Taylor

We have all suffered from trauma in our lives though to varying degrees. Some traumas may seem incredibly insignificant but can rear their ugly heads without warning, others are so profound that they can negatively impact the day-to-day life of an individual. I can honestly say that I have been untouched by significant trauma, and for that I am grateful. Play by Jess Taylor has been eye opening for me because I cannot always relate to the struggles of others. I can feel compassion and offer assistance, but I never completely understand what they are going through. If you are like me, this novel will surprise you, disturb you, and even educate you.

Paul (Paulina) Hayes and her cousin Adrian were inseparable throughout childhood. Knowing that her parents could not give her the affection she needed, Paul turned to her older cousin Adrian for love and affection. Adrian held her close as she was the only person he ever truly loved, especially since his home life was troublesome and complicated. Together they built an imaginary world, The Lighted City, where they could escape their disappointing lives and be together forever as king and queen. Although The Lighted City was full of happiness and hope at one time, it became a place of shadows and secrets and after what happened that day, Paul was never the same again. As Paul struggles with PTSD years later, her world is rocked by the news of Adrian’s death. As she comes to terms with his passing, she must face what happened between her and Adrian all those years ago and revisit The Lighted City to move forward with her life.

Paul’s story alternates between different periods of her life — childhood, May 2016, and now. I enjoyed the way Taylor broke up the story like this because it turned it into more of a psychological thriller, giving bits and pieces of information along the way to engage the reader. At times, the story was a bit confusing because of this style but I feel it was intentional since Paul was struggling with so much trauma that she could not think straight. The way the story came together in the end was heartbreaking but beautiful.

The characters in Play were incredibly real and raw. To be honest, I really hated a few of the characters, but I will assume that was the author’s intent. Paul was, of course, the standout character as it was her mind that the reader was plunged into. Her pain and her struggles left her tormented. To see this person try repeatedly to better themselves but to constantly feel like they were losing the battle is one of the hardest things to witness. She hated herself so much because of many things she could not control. Everything that happened to Paul in this novel could have been prevented. Every secret that little girl kept became a cancer that ate away at her slowly, and then made her feel dirty as she grew into an adult. I cannot imagine the hurt and confusion Paul must have felt but after reading this novel, I just might understand her trauma a bit more.

This haunting, disturbing story is one that will linger in your heart and your mind for a long time … Paul’s story is one of strength and determination, and I highly recommend reading it.

Jess Taylor has created something beautiful with her novel Play. This haunting, disturbing story is one that will linger in your heart and your mind for a long time. This novel reveals the struggles of those who have suffered multiple traumas but also shows that there is always hope. Paul’s story is one of strength and determination, and I highly recommend reading it. Play will show you the darkness but also the light.

Jess Taylor is a Tkaronto (Toronto) writer and poet. She is the author of Pauls, the title story of which won the 2013 Gold Fiction National Magazine Award, and Just Pervs, a finalist for the 2020 Lambda Literary Award in Bisexual Fiction. Her story “Two Sex Addicts Fall in Love” was longlisted for the 2018 Journey Prize. Play is her debut novel.

Publisher: Book*hug Press (April 23, 2024)
Paperback 5.25″ x 8″ | 354 pages
ISBN: 9781771668798

Laura Patterson

Laura Patterson is a Registered Acupuncturist and a QA Lab Technician from rural New Brunswick where she lives with her husband and twin boys. She has a BSc in Biology and a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. When she's not working in the lab or in her clinic, she enjoys camping and adventuring with her family, reading many books, and writing book reviews.