Description
In the vein of Where’d You Go, Bernadette and Fleishman Is in Trouble, a wickedly funny and incisive debut novel following a mother trapped in the rat race of NYC parenting as her life unravels.
It takes a village...just not this one.
Annie Lewin is at the end of her rope. She’s a mother of three young children, her workaholic husband is never around, and the vicious competition for spots in New York City’s kindergartens is heating up. A New York Times journalist-turned-parenting-advice-columnist for an internet start-up, Annie can’t help but judge the insanity of it all—even as she finds herself going to impossible lengths to secure the best spot for her own son.
As Annie comes to terms with the infinitesimal odds of success, her intensifying rivalry with hotshot lawyer Belinda Brenner—a deliciously hateful nemesis, what with her perfectly curated bento box lunches and effortless Instagram chic—pushes her to the brink. Of course, this newly raw and unhinged version of Annie is great for the advice column: the more she spins out, the more clicks and comments she gets.
But when she commits a ghastly social faux pas that goes viral, she’s forced to confront the question: is she really any better than the cutthroat parents she always judged?
A shimmering epistolary novel incorporating emails, group texts, advice columns, newspaper profiles, and more, Plays Well with Others is a whip-smart, genuinely funny romp through the minefield of modern motherhood. But beneath its fast-paced, satirical veneer, Brickman gives us a fresh, open-hearted, all-too-real take on what it means to be a parent—fierce love, craziness, and all.
About the Author
Sophie Brickman is a writer, reporter, and editor who has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Elle, Saveur, The Guardian, San Francisco Chronicle, and other outlets. Her work has also appeared in the Best Food Writing and the Best American Science Writing anthologies. Her first book, Baby, Unplugged, about the intersection of technology and parenting, received a starred Publishers Weekly review and landed her a spot on Good Morning America. Plays Well with Others is her first novel. She lives in New York City with her husband and three children.
Praise For…
“I devoured this book with a fervor usually reserved for my nightly bowl of ice cream. But unlike my ice cream, this book was filled with genuinely good stuff—keen insights, sharply observed characters, and astute takes on the sometimes psychotic world of parenting. Also, it is really funny. Sophie Brickman is a phenomenal writer, and this novel spoke to my heart.” — Ellie Kemper, Emmy-nominated actress and author of My Squirrel Days
“Plays Well with Others is one of the funniest books I’ve read in years—a wildly inventive, rule-busting debut that begs to be read in a single sitting. Brickman perfectly captures the absurdity of the way we live now, from the mirage of social media to the blood sport of school admissions. Beneath all the satire, though, is tremendous heart, and a moving exploration of what it means to be a parent in a bewildering world." — Grant Ginder, author of The People We Hate at the Wedding
“A delightfully hilarious and wildly recognizable portrait of parenting. I actively ignored my own children to finish it—I think Brickman's protagonist, Annie, would approve!” — Emily Oster, New York Times bestselling author of Expecting Better and Founder of ParentData
“Plays Well with Others is a satirical triumph that delighted me from start to finish. Sophie Brickman is an expert parodist and the targets she's chosen (mommy blogs, celebrity profiles, private school dispatches) couldn't be more satisfying. Brutally witty, richly observed, and laugh-out-loud funny, Plays Well with Others was an absolute joy to read.” — Simon Rich, author of Glory Days
“In Baby Unplugged, Sophie Brickman doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable conversations or uncomfortable conclusions about herself, her generation or why technology is often compensating for historic failures to support parents and kids. This is a book for parents, grandparents and anyone who loves kids or is curious about childhood, including their own. It is also fantastically well-written, both challenging and fun to read and deserves a place on your bookshelf.” — Chelsea Clinton
“Well-researched and unvarnished conclusions.” — Wall Street Journal on Baby, Unplugged
“If you feel overwhelmed by your digital existence, definitely make time to unplug and read this book.” — Boston Globe on Baby, Unplugged