Yeah, she’s hot, but can she write? Unbelievably. From her first sexual encounter with a Playmate at 15 and ongoing trysts with her, to the excesses of wealth, this book will drop you.
Sex? Sure, it’s in there and well-described…but what she does uniquely, is write the details that are hard to muster, the things most people don’t talk about. The way you feel when a parent berates you, the way you wish for the affection of your mother, the way you’ll do whatever it takes to just be loved. It’s raw, gripping, and tragic.
I literally read this book at stoplights while going to get Chinese food – that’s how good it is.
Playground: A Childhood Lost inside the Playboy Mansion, is the work of Jennifer Saginor, and the true story of a woman who grew up inside the Mansion. Her father was the close friend and personal physician of Hugh Hefner, and the stories read like a secretly discovered personal diary. The details are vivid. It is a memoir that beautifully describes the tragedy of overwhelming parental neglect paired with the greatest excesses money can buy.
Beginning with her first encounters witnessing sex at the tender age of 6 at the Playboy Mansion, you watch the world turn on it’s head through the eyes of a growing child and how this effects her as she ages. What will amaze you the most, is that it’s all true. Parental unpredictability, drugs, loneliness, access to everything she might want…and desperately craving the love she couldn’t seem to find.
It was a gutsy book to write, self-revealing, and honest.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Saginor about her book. She’s a funny, charming woman with a distinct Los Angeles cadence to her voice, and she’s as nice as she is attractive. She said that writing the book was “therapeutic,” and that getting it out there, despite how personal the content, was important to her. It speaks directly to “young hollywood,” and indeed, if you want an understanding that goes far beyond the jabs and ridicule the press usually provide, this book contains it. She’s been them – she’s desperately crashed her car hoping for death, used drugs as an escape, been used for her connections to her father, felt isolated from others because of her unique position, and somehow she’s managed to make it out alive.
This was Grrlplanet’s only story today…not because there was nothing else going on, but because every now and again, you have to honor something that just blows you away. If you’re interested, check out Jennifer Saginor’s website <click here> or review a copy of the book for yourself. <click here>
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like a sexy but sad book. really interesting stuff.
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This book is well-written and revelatory. The stories are riveting and beyond most people’s scope of experience. Jennifer Saginor reminds us that there are people, childhoods, neglect, behind the sensationalism that captivates us.
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Hey,
Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed this review!
It might sound strange but, although I’m not at all sure I’ll go out and read the book, I am impressed by your intelligent and smart take on it, without fawning or being the snooty critic. :)
Good stuff!
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When reading Playground, I couldn’t put it down. The story of parental neglect, sex and drugs are brought to the forefront. Her experiences can speak to various people on different levels. compliment Jennifer for making it out to the other side with strength and dignity.
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Playground is a great read! In fact, it’s been a while so I should read it again! It’s ironic how people that lead wild lives crave stability and normalcy while regular schmo’s like myself crave the excitement that I can only read about in books such as Playground.
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My friend passed this insightful book onto me.I read it like I was a child with one of those over sized lollipops…it was just too good to put down.I stopped whatever else i had going on in my life and immersed myself in Jennifer’s youth.It was written so that I felt like I was her and I could feel the betrayal and the devastation and the hope jump off the pages and into my own soul.BRAVO,Jennifer for speaking your truth,if we as women do not speak up for ourselves…who will.
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A gripping look inside one of America’s most fantasized about entertainment world…hats off for the over-due exposure!!!
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Jennifer –
This book in unbelieveable! I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read some of the stuff, extremely powerful! Congrats to you on your successes and thanks for sharing the story with us!
- Jenn
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I am always eager to see what happens when a talented writer sheds the sugar-coated ‘shock-value’ bs and exposes his/her true sense of self…no matter what the outcome.
Rarely have i been so intrigued as to pursue such a subject…this is the result of quality work.
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I read the book cover to cover I just couldn’t put it down it was that amazing. It was an intriguing and powerful book. And Jennifer is a lovely person. I have spoken to her on a few occasions and given what she has been through it a polite and wonderful person. Cannot wait for more of her work.
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what a great review! the book is AWESOME and i cannot wait for her second and the movie!
she is a lovely person and altho she’s had hardships she is working through them.
can’t wait for more from her :)
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this book was awesome. i really do hope they make a movie. i literally could not put this book down once i started reading it. it was that good…
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This is one of the most interesting books with a deep psychological meaning, which sheds light into how the exposure to such a sexually stimulating and indulging environment shaped the personality and development of one of the most intriguing writers of our time. Forget psychological thrillers and sexy bunny glamour! This is the real deal and would be a great movie!
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even tho i havnt read a million books like a lot of other people, this book is by far my fav. iv passed it along to 3 people so far and its probbly still being passed around. your an amazing writer and you inspire me.
:)
~Tori
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Great book, her success epitomizes girl power.
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I think that Jennifer should come to Australia yepyep :)
… thats where i am from btw
huge fan
definitely an amazing writer and an inspiring person.
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I bought this book and read it in a day. It really is one you cannot put down. It was not only a slice of culture we see, but you also feel all of Jen’s emotions, rejection, lust, fear, etc from her writing. I CANNOT WAIT until her next book…
I love you Jen!
xx
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While traveling through Europe Playground caught my eye. For me , it hit home in so many ways, my mother favors my sister and leaves me feeling broken down. Her favoritism makes me feel insignificant, like I can not function, and not good enough. I think Jennifer is so brave to let the truth out, that so many people are ashamed of and do not want to expose to the truth to the world. I think the answer is to cut these toxic people out of our lives?? Can’t wait for her next book MEDICATED: THE AFTERMATH
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Jennifer is a wonderful, caring person who’s book can help others not seek external things to fill their inner loneliness. She is a seeker and healer.
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Reading about Jennifer’s underage affair with Hefner’s girlfriend “Kendall”, I read that she outed herself in the Ny Post as Carrie Liegh. How pathetic. If it wasn’t true… wouldn’t Hefner or Carrie have sued Jennifer By now??? Research that one, Bitch!!!
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I am based in South Africa and all of my friends have been raving about Jennifers book “Playground” non stop. Some of them are already reading it for the 2nd/3rd time.They loved it so darn much that they will not even loan me their copy. We cannot get it in our book shops. They all ordered theirs online.
I have placed my order and now i wait. The waiting is going to drive me totally insane. But at least I know this will be well worth the wait…… good things happen to those who wait!!! I hope the rumour is true that a movie may be made based on her novel…………
xx
Heidi
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I accidentally stumbled on this book & surprised myself by not putting the book down like I do with most other reads that bore me by the 1st chapter. This book was riveting, almost like a bad car accident…you can’t help but slow down to witness what just happened. It was shocking, revealing & so very intimate that you almost feel naughty for enjoying it so much. Is this ever going to made into a movie? That would be exciting, especially if they put in more girl on girl action. :) I highly recommend!
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Jen s sooo cool!there’s no doubt!
smatch!
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I read this book when it first came out, and I still think about it. I couldn’t put it down. I just, hits you in a way that you will never get over
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The author gives an amazing insight into the fantasy world that we can only imagine. This is better than reality TV shows, and would be the first in line to see a movie based on her book. Jennifer is an amazing person, and a fantastic writer!
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Jennifer did an amazing thing with this book, actually a few amazing things.
I finished the book and I did it with ease, which is unlike me when it comes to some books. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens next in this outrageous but true tail about a young woman who is now and probably always was fabulous. I read this book 2 or 3 years ago and I remember it still because it was shocking but believable and as a reader you wanted her to find the right path. Even though it’s almost impossible because of what she is exposed to. Read the book and you’ll see what I mean.
I hope she sells a million books and wish her all the best!
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this is an exciting read for many reasons the main one being- every line i read produced images in my mind that i could clearly see ‘on the big screen’
this needs to be made into a movie …. its just one of those stories that needs to be told and seen .
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Playground is my all time favorite book. Jennifer is an amazing writer.
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This is my favorite book of all time. It blows my mind that someone could have lived a life like that, while reading the book i’d sometimes forget that it was a true story just due to the fact that it seems so unbelievable that someone lived through that to tell the story.
The only reason I came across this book was because one day i was looking for something to read at work and for some reason was drawn to this book.. after reading it i know why!
I’d recommend this book to anyone, it’s just gives you an insight to what life is really like in Hollywood.
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Absolutely loved this book!
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