I was immediatly drawn to this book with its absolutely gorgeous cover and an intriguing summary - and the novel is every bit as good as the cover.

The main character of this novel, Cass, is a fresh arrival in LA. She was a playwright on the rise about to make it big in New York. But due to a certain scandal which I definitely want to leave to the reader to find out about, she moves to Los Angeles to reinvent herself as a person and as an artist. Her neighbor Caroline also turns out to be an artist - an aspiring movie director currently in the process of filming a documentary about a violent fight club of teenage girls. While the initiative seems impressive and capivating to Cass, who looks up to Caroline's focus and determination, soon she realizes that the filmmaker's relationship with the girls is shady and manipulative. And then, one of these girls goes missing...

I really liked the journey of self-discovery Cass is undergoing. The coming-of-age element is particularly well done, given that Cass doesn't only change as a result of her move and change of circumstances, but also due to the influence of other people. Caroline is such a different character as well, and with the shady things she would do for her art, I wanted to learn a lot more about her.

The novel poses this ultimate question: how far can you go to become famous and successful? Jen Silverman mastefully explores this topic with Cass's well-developed character. I think the title "We Play Ourselves" is a wonderful summary of the reality that we play ourselves in life - differently depending on circumstances, stages or the audience. It is such a memorable, unique novel which I highly recommend.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review,

I love the dark feel that comes with this book and how the main character’s aspiration for success also related to the obsessed artist theme that is seen in films such as Black Swan and Whiplash. The book honestly keept me on the edge of my seat and I like how the story was unfolded in flashbacks up until a certain point where the new plot began to take place

I was interested in reading this because I really enjoyed Silverman’s debut short story collection. In long form she doesn’t disappoint. This is a book about find oneself…not, not quite right, this is a book about finding equanimity within yourself, an ability to be at peace with your place in the world, even if that place isn’t what you had planned for or imagined. But first…adventures and obstacles. And Cass, the protagonist, chooses a road fraught with the latter, because she decides to dedicate herself to theatre. One of the most masochistic career choices out there, the most arrogant and least permanent of the arts. Plays, the ultimate goal of it all, are the castles in the sand of the art world, admired by a few for a short time and promptly vanished. Being a playwright is possibly the most permanent aspect of the entire field, and that’s what Cass plies at for 10 long years until a major boon of an award and cash prize elevates her on a new level and allows her to have a play produced properly with a well known director and lead actress. Cass is determined to make the best of it, but finds herself in love with her director and sleeping with her star and constantly surpassed by a fellow prize winner on the success ladder. And then the reviews come out…So onto the second act, for this is a classic three act play in itself. Reinvention. Cass is now in LA, staying with a friend, witness to the slow dissolution of his seven year long relationship. In a theatre world and world at large Cass is now a persona non grata with social media’s public morality never letting her forget her sins. Cass meets a neighbor who is directing an all girl version of Fight Club and gets involved in that, but eventually finds out that movies are just another imperfect art form, less real than most, and rife with lying liars. Third act…Cass goes back to the small town she has so eagerly left so many years ago to stay with her parents and figure out what’s next. Tries to find some peace in small scale pretense free life, but much like art, in some form or another it is everywhere. So there you go, a faulty and flawed, but surprisingly compelling narrator stumbling through life in that very millennial specific way of desperately trying to be an artist at all costs. But, because Silverman is such a great writer, this book never become an ode to millennial wishywashy uncertainty and immaturity, instead it goes further to mediate on the very nature of choices and authenticity. We play ourselves in life, for different people, on different stages, often until we forget the really important things, the permanent things, the things that matter. For me, that’s what the book was about and overwhelmingly it succeeded. Certainly I enjoyed reading it way more than most millennial adventures out there. Interestingly enough, the author is a playwright herself, so it’s impossible not to think of how much of her is in Cass and so on, but then again, she seems to have made it, unlike her protagonist, but then again…the odds, the odds. Liked this book very much. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

I was pulled in by the thriller-esque sounding jacket description so naturally this ended up being a (long!) disappointing read for me. Here is the more accurate description:
Self important millennial playwright, Cass, is given (sometimes literally) opportunity after opportunity to "start over" and find success despite her unrealized rampant self-sabotage.
The further I read into the story, the less I liked Cass. She surrounds herself with instability and self-centered people (going from world of theater in New York and "escaping" to the word of filmmaking in Los Angeles) while seemingly coasting along rewarded for doing little and acting out against those she feels have undeserved success instead of her. Cass coasts through her own life, feeding off of the good will of other people, all the while looking down on that person for the bit of happiness they may have with their lives. She is that irritating protagonist who works at nothing, is given so many opportunity, and when things become difficult, runs away rather than growing up and facing that giant problem in the mirror.
This book didn't strike me as "dark" despite the summary description seeming to imply this. Instead, various heavy topics (sexual assault, abortion, suicide, etc) are thrown out as talking points, but are all part of the "art" thus are not tackled in any meaningful way. They're used irresponsibly solely as trigger points for the reader.
I usually like to see a protagonist grow in some way and I didn't really see this in Cass. She was the same person in the beginning of her story as she was in the end, making the same moves and poor judgements in a new setting. I'm left irritated with her and angry at myself for the time spent reading this book.

I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all.

This is a dark take on success and how it isn't always a good thing.

The main character, Cass, is DRIVEN by her need for success on Broadway. She has no life to speak of outside her work - it is all consuming.

The book has many funny moments, but again, this is a dark, heavy read.

The plot is fast, well crafted and the characters believable.

I'd like to read more by the author, if it has a lighter feel.

"We Play Ourselves" is dark and funny and queer and I loved it. Cass is a wry and witty narrator, who is lured in by these cunning, too-good-to-be-true cultural wunderkinds, only to be repulsed by their dishonesty. It felt like a cutting indictment of what's regarded as "talent" and oh so very real. Entertainment, whether on-stage or on-screen, is SUCH a subjective, unmeritocratic pursuit, I think anyone who's struggled with the arbitrary nature of success in a creative industry will enjoy this book as much as I did.

I especially loved Cass's relationship with her agent's oversharing assistant.

After a scandal forces her from NY, a young playwright moves to LA and joins a strange film project with a neighbor.

Not knowing much about the NY theater culture, it was interesting to read about what it's like for playwrights and how especially difficult it can be for young people trying to make it in the business. It seems similar to the art world and how the road to success opens up with the approval of the same few people instead of any fair system.

I enjoyed the introspection and Cass's ideas about the world around her a bit more than the plot itself. I was confused as to why she kept going with Caroline's plans over and over again even though she was doubtful and hesitant. Caroline, on the other hand, definitely didn't seem charismatic enough to warrant such a following.

I think this novel will work better for people a bit older than younger, because of the portrayal of those young girls. I have no doubt there are young women in LA who resemble those characters but looking at the younger generation now, they are so much more than that. It seems to be poking fun at them more than trying to understand them at all.

Thank you to Netgalley/Random House for the ARC!

The story was so well written with a dry and dark humor skillfully embedded throughout. It addresses the heavy reality that success is relative and a never ending quest. On that quest, one must deal with, and come to terms with, the emotional backlash of their own actions.

I typically read books where I don’t have to think. This was not that book, but in the best way possible. It was outside of my comfort zone but such a pleasant surprise. So incredibly funny and thoughtful.

i looove the mystery and atmosphere of this book. the main character is witty and i enjoyed the overall experience of reading this

This queer feminist novel was just alright. I'm not jumping up and down over this book but I was able to finish it. Somewhere I believe this could be someones favorite book. It's just not mine.