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* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: The kids who did all this.]]
to:
* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: The kids who did all this.]]]] Cindy in particular is implied to grow up not only without consequences for her involvement, but never even thinks about what she's done.
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* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth: The epilogue suggests that this is why [[spoiler: Barbara died.]]
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* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth: The epilogue suggests that this is why [[spoiler: Barbara died.]]]] Barbara's college roommate, ruminating on her death, ultimately concludes there is no place in the world for a person as innocent as Barbara to exist: "Goodness, leave the world so that we can live in it."
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* NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization: It most certainly doesn't justify it, but [[spoiler:played with the second time Barbara is raped by Johnny; as the text states, "it is possible to be made to enjoy." Take Barbara's unwanted physical response, lingering hope of an escape, awareness that this will be her last time, and throw them all together, and you get an encounter that even she doesn't fully know how to feel about.]]
to:
* NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization: It The book most certainly doesn't justify it, but [[spoiler:played with the second time Barbara is raped by Johnny; as the text states, "it is possible to be made to enjoy." Take Barbara's unwanted physical response, lingering hope of an escape, awareness that this will be her last time, and throw them all together, and you get an encounter that even she doesn't fully know how to feel about.]]
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* NotIfYouEnjoyedItJustification: It most certainly doesn't justify it, but [[spoiler:played with the second time Barbara is raped by Johnny; as the text states, "it is possible to be made to enjoy." Take Barbara's unwanted physical response, lingering hope of an escape, awareness that this will be her last time, and throw them all together, and you get an encounter that even she doesn't fully know how to feel about.]]
to:
* NotIfYouEnjoyedItJustification: NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization: It most certainly doesn't justify it, but [[spoiler:played with the second time Barbara is raped by Johnny; as the text states, "it is possible to be made to enjoy." Take Barbara's unwanted physical response, lingering hope of an escape, awareness that this will be her last time, and throw them all together, and you get an encounter that even she doesn't fully know how to feel about.]]
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* NotIfYouEnjoyedItJustification: It most certainly doesn't justify it, but [[spoiler:played with the second time Barbara is raped by Johnny; as the text states, "it is possible to be made to enjoy." Take Barbara's unwanted physical response, lingering hope of an escape, awareness that this will be her last time, and throw them all together, and you get an encounter that even she doesn't fully know how to feel about.]]
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* AscendedToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: The epilogue never explicitly states, but contemplates the possibility that [[spoiler:Barbara's spirit did. While the text specifically uses the word "apotheosis", the picture it paints is a grimmer one of Barbara bound and gagged as she was in her lost moments, looking back on her time as a human and at humanity as a whole with deep, tragic knowing.]]
to:
* AscendedToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: The epilogue never explicitly states, but contemplates the possibility that [[spoiler:Barbara's spirit did. While the text specifically uses the word "apotheosis", the picture it paints is a grimmer one of Barbara bound and gagged as she was in her lost last moments, looking back on her time as a human and at humanity as a whole with deep, tragic knowing.]]
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[[spoiler:Barbara's spirit lives on, and while the text refers to this s, and looks back on her time as a human with
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* AscendedToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: The epilogue never explicitly states, but contemplates the possibility that [[spoiler:Barbara's spirit did. While the text specifically uses the word "apotheosis", the picture it paints is a grimmer one of Barbara bound and gagged as she was in her lost moments, looking back on her time as a human and at humanity as a whole with deep, tragic knowing.]]
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[[spoiler:Barbara's spirit lives on, and while the text refers to this s, and looks back on her time as a human with
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* BondageIsBad: Yes, the fetish version. John is implied to at least have a foot fetish; he may have a bondage fetish, or not. But he is the most messed up of the characters.
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* BondageIsBad: Yes, the fetish version. John Paul is implied to at least have a foot fetish; he may have a bondage fetish, or not. But he is the most messed up of the characters.
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* CreepyChild: Paul
to:
* CreepyChild: PaulPaul.
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* PurpleProse: The prose oscillates between flowing, florid descriptions, bone-dry commentary, and extremely concise summaries. It's a pretty brutally effective combination.
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* PurpleProse: The prose oscillates between flowing, florid descriptions, clinically dispassionate ones, bone-dry commentary, and extremely abrupt, concise summaries. It's a pretty brutally effective combination.
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* PurpleProse: The prose oscillates between flowing, florid descriptions, bone-dry commentary, and extremely concise summaries. It's a pretty brutal combination.
to:
* PurpleProse: The prose oscillates between flowing, florid descriptions, bone-dry commentary, and extremely concise summaries. It's a pretty brutal brutally effective combination.
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* PurpleProse: It covers only a couple of weeks, and not much happens.
to:
* PurpleProse: It covers only a couple of weeks, The prose oscillates between flowing, florid descriptions, bone-dry commentary, and not much happens.extremely concise summaries. It's a pretty brutal combination.
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A sequel InNameOnly , ''Literature/LetsGoPlayAtTheAdams2'' aka ''Visiting the Adams'', written and apparently self-published by Peter Francis, can be found on KindleUnlimited. Instead of the backdrop of [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar Vietnam]], the sequel is set twenty years later at the time of the Gulf War. Its author claims to have followed "links" left by Mendal Johnson about the Sylvia Likens case.
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* FatalFlaw: [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her... all while still bound and gagged, but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
to:
* FatalFlaw: [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her... all while still bound and gagged, but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy Dianne any more than she already is.]]
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The book attracted the attention of TV editor, Barry Schneebeli, who wrote a sequel called ''Game's End''. Due to copyright laws, it was never actually published, but was available online at [[http://barryschneebeli.com/gamesend.html his website]] (the website domain has since expired and the Wayback Machine didn't save the DOC files), and you can find a review [[http://www.foxall.com.au/users/mje/GamesEnd.htm here]]). It begins with [[spoiler:the what-if premise of Barbara being saved at the last minute, and the kids' activities exposed as a result]], and explores the resulting media frenzy and criminal trials, as well as Barbara's physical and emotional recovery from her ordeal. Had Schneebeli's project gone to press, it might have brought the original book out of obscurity.
to:
The book attracted the attention of TV editor, Barry Schneebeli, who wrote a sequel called ''Game's End''. Due to copyright laws, it was never actually published, but was available online at [[http://barryschneebeli.com/gamesend.html his website]] (the website domain has since expired and the Wayback Machine didn't save the DOC files), and you files). You can find a review [[http://www.foxall.com.au/users/mje/GamesEnd.htm here]]). It begins with [[spoiler:the what-if premise of Barbara being saved at the last minute, and the kids' activities exposed as a result]], and explores the resulting media frenzy and criminal trials, as well as Barbara's physical and emotional recovery from her ordeal. Had Schneebeli's project gone to press, it might have brought the original book out of obscurity.
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Published in 1974 by author Mendal Johnson, '''''Let's Go Play at the Adams'''''' is the grim story of Barbara, a 20-year-old babysitter who agrees to take care of a pair of preteen children while their parents spend a week's vacation on Cape Cod. But Barbara wakes up to find herself tightly tied to a bed and gagged, with the faces of her charges--and three of their neighbor friends--grinning down at her. The kids are in charge now, and they have no intent of letting Barbara loose. Except now that they have her captive, they're not sure what they should do with her.
to:
Published in 1974 by author Mendal Johnson, '''''Let's Go Play at the Adams'''''' is the grim story of Barbara, a 20-year-old babysitter who agrees to take care of a pair of preteen children while their parents spend a week's go on extended vacation on Cape Cod.for the summer. But Barbara wakes up to find herself tightly tied to a bed and gagged, with the faces of her charges--and three of their neighbor friends--grinning down at her. The kids are in charge now, and they have no intent of letting Barbara loose. Except now that they have her captive, they're not sure what they should do with her.
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Published in 1974 by author Mendel Johnson, '''''Let's Go Play at the Adams'''''' is the grim story of Barbara, a 20-year-old babysitter who agrees to take care of a pair of preteen children while their parents spend a week's vacation on Cape Cod. But Barbara wakes up to find herself tightly tied to a bed and gagged, with the faces of her charges--and three of their neighbor friends--grinning down at her. The kids are in charge now, and they have no intent of letting Barbara loose. Except now that they have her captive, they're not sure what they should do with her.
to:
Published in 1974 by author Mendel Mendal Johnson, '''''Let's Go Play at the Adams'''''' is the grim story of Barbara, a 20-year-old babysitter who agrees to take care of a pair of preteen children while their parents spend a week's vacation on Cape Cod. But Barbara wakes up to find herself tightly tied to a bed and gagged, with the faces of her charges--and three of their neighbor friends--grinning down at her. The kids are in charge now, and they have no intent of letting Barbara loose. Except now that they have her captive, they're not sure what they should do with her.
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%%* FixFic
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%%* HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler:Bobby]]
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That describes it aptly. Barbara, a 20-year-old babysitter to a couple of preteens, wakes up to find herself tightly tied to a bed and gagged. The kids are in charge now, and with a couple of teenagers from the neighborhood visiting, they have no intent of letting Barbara loose. Thus begins Barbara's never-ending days and nights of torment.
The kids make sure she is literally always restrained in some way. One hand free to eat, that's it. Just enough free to use the bathroom, and that's it. She is always retied, often in different ways for the kids' own amusement. Things go downhill, though, when the teens of the group decide to [[{{Squick}} do other things to her for their own amusement]]. Yes, those kinds of other things...
The kids make sure she is literally always restrained in some way. One hand free to eat, that's it. Just enough free to use the bathroom, and that's it. She is always retied, often in different ways for the kids' own amusement. Things go downhill, though, when the teens of the group decide to [[{{Squick}} do other things to her for their own amusement]]. Yes, those kinds of other things...
to:
That describes it aptly.
Published in 1974 by author Mendel Johnson, '''''Let's Go Play at the Adams'''''' is the grim story of Barbara, a 20-year-old babysitter who agrees toa couple take care of preteens, a pair of preteen children while their parents spend a week's vacation on Cape Cod. But Barbara wakes up to find herself tightly tied to a bed and gagged. gagged, with the faces of her charges--and three of their neighbor friends--grinning down at her. The kids are in charge now, and with a couple of teenagers from the neighborhood visiting, they have no intent of letting Barbara loose. Thus begins Barbara's never-ending days and nights of torment.
The kids makeExcept now that they have her captive, they're not sure what they should do with her.
After all, if you have someone tied up and at your mercy, you ''have'' to do something with them.
Right?
What could have been a childish prank spirals into a nightmarish meditation on the ethics of power. The children know they could easily let Barbara go at any time...but then they'll get in trouble. But if they ''don't'' let her go, they will ultimately get into even more trouble once the adults return. Gradually their excitement over having a captive turns into resentment as they come to understand that Barbara, through her very helplessness, has trapped them in an inexorable chain of events they are now forced to bring to the only possible conclusion. She was supposed to be powerless. Now the very fact that she isliterally always restrained in some way. One hand free to eat, that's it. Just enough free to use the bathroom, and that's it. She is always retied, often in different ways for the kids' own amusement. Things go downhill, though, when the teens their prisoner has exerted an even greater power over them all. And that wasn't part of the group decide to [[{{Squick}} do other things to plan.
But Barbara is still tied up, helpless, and terrified. They can make her pay fortheir own amusement]]. Yes, those kinds of other things...
what she's making them do to her.
Published in 1974 by author Mendel Johnson, '''''Let's Go Play at the Adams'''''' is the grim story of Barbara, a 20-year-old babysitter who agrees to
The kids make
After all, if you have someone tied up and at your mercy, you ''have'' to do something with them.
Right?
What could have been a childish prank spirals into a nightmarish meditation on the ethics of power. The children know they could easily let Barbara go at any time...but then they'll get in trouble. But if they ''don't'' let her go, they will ultimately get into even more trouble once the adults return. Gradually their excitement over having a captive turns into resentment as they come to understand that Barbara, through her very helplessness, has trapped them in an inexorable chain of events they are now forced to bring to the only possible conclusion. She was supposed to be powerless. Now the very fact that she is
But Barbara is still tied up, helpless, and terrified. They can make her pay for
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The book itself has a grim backstory: based on the murder of Sylvia Likens (which also inspired ''Film/AnAmericanCrime'' and ''Literature/TheGirlNextDoor''), and intended as an unflinching look into the nature of human cruelty, the dark material and the questions it raised eventually led the author, a recovering alcoholic, to resume drinking, resulting in his early death from cirrhosis of the liver less than two years after the novel's publication and giving the book a singular reputation as ''the novel that killed its own author.''
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In 2019, ''Let's Go Play at the Adams''', long out of print due to a complicated tangle of rights issues, was finally republished by Valancourt Press.
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* KarmaHoudini: ''Game's End'' retcons this trope's occurrence from the first book two ways. First, Barbara is saved at the last moment. Second, most of the book is about the kids answering for their crimes (and the tragedy their parents go through).]] Played straight with [[spoiler:Cindy]], though.
to:
* KarmaHoudini: ''Game's End'' retcons this trope's occurrence from the first book two ways. First, Barbara is saved at the last moment. Second, most of the book is about the kids answering for their crimes (and the tragedy their parents go through).]] Played straight with [[spoiler:Cindy]], though.
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* RedemptionEqualsDeath: In the epilogue, a [[spoiler: now-teenaged Bobby]] dies saving a girl who he thought was drowning. She [[spoiler: wasn't really drowning]], she thought he was cute and was just trying to get his attention. His father speculates on whether, in his last moments, [[spoiler: Bobby]] finally found the ability to forgive himself.
to:
* RedemptionEqualsDeath: In the epilogue, a [[spoiler: now-teenaged [[spoiler:now-teenaged Bobby]] dies saving a girl who he thought was drowning. She [[spoiler: wasn't [[spoiler:wasn't really drowning]], she thought he was cute and was just trying to get his attention. His father speculates on whether, in his last moments, [[spoiler: Bobby]] [[spoiler:Bobby]] finally found the ability to forgive himself.
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** In Bobby's portion of the epilogue, a girl attempts to invoke this [[spoiler:by pretending to drown]]; he ends up [[spoiler: drowning himself when trying to save her.]]
to:
** In Bobby's portion of the epilogue, a girl attempts to invoke this [[spoiler:by pretending to drown]]; he ends up [[spoiler: drowning [[spoiler:drowning himself when trying to save her.]]
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* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: The kids who did all this.
to:
* KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: The kids who did all this. ]]
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Natter. Also, the Bystander Syndrome is partly a myth. Also, Karma Houdini is an all-or-nothing sort of trope.
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* AuthorAppeal - Some people speculate that Johnson was a sadist and the book is nothing more than an exercise in self-indulgence. Others say this isn't the case.
* BondageIsBad - Yes, the fetish version. John is implied to at least have a foot fetish; he may have a bondage fetish, or not. But he is the most messed up of the characters.
* BoundAndGagged - Galore. From beginning to end. Many, many different ways.
* BondageIsBad - Yes, the fetish version. John is implied to at least have a foot fetish; he may have a bondage fetish, or not. But he is the most messed up of the characters.
* BoundAndGagged - Galore. From beginning to end. Many, many different ways.
to:
* AuthorAppeal - AuthorAppeal: Some people speculate that Johnson was a sadist and the book is nothing more than an exercise in self-indulgence. Others say this isn't the case.
*BondageIsBad - BondageIsBad: Yes, the fetish version. John is implied to at least have a foot fetish; he may have a bondage fetish, or not. But he is the most messed up of the characters.
*BoundAndGagged - BoundAndGagged: Galore. From beginning to end. Many, many different ways.
*
*
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* CreepyChild - Paul
* DamselInDistress - Barbara is probably the most extreme version of this trope in existence, since she is held captive and imperiled the entire book starting from the very beginning.
* {{Deconstruction}} - Pretty much does this to the oft-used comedic plot device of the babysitter being tied up by her charges (Series/ILoveLucy for example). When Barbara is first tied up, it seems like the novel will go in a light-hearted direction. She's more surprised and annoyed, than concerned. That changes in the second or third chapter.
* DiedStandingUp - [[spoiler: Perhaps the only time this trope has had no connection to Badassery. Barbara, due to how she is tied at the end.]]
* DownerEnding - [[spoiler: The kids get away with it, and a random homeless person is found guilty of their crime.]]
* FatalFlaw - [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her...all while still bound and gagged, but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
* FixFic - At least two professional works, the above mentioned ''Game's End'' by Barry Schneebeli (more on this below), and a subplot in the novel ''The Abyss'' by Steve Vance, were born out each writer's desire to [[spoiler: save Barbara and/or punish the kids]].
** If you've ever read the book, you might be tempted to write one yourself. [[SincerityMode No one would blame you.]]
* FreudianExcuse - Paul
* FromBadToWorse - And worse. And worse. [[spoiler:And it never gets better.]]
* DamselInDistress - Barbara is probably the most extreme version of this trope in existence, since she is held captive and imperiled the entire book starting from the very beginning.
* {{Deconstruction}} - Pretty much does this to the oft-used comedic plot device of the babysitter being tied up by her charges (Series/ILoveLucy for example). When Barbara is first tied up, it seems like the novel will go in a light-hearted direction. She's more surprised and annoyed, than concerned. That changes in the second or third chapter.
* DiedStandingUp - [[spoiler: Perhaps the only time this trope has had no connection to Badassery. Barbara, due to how she is tied at the end.]]
* DownerEnding - [[spoiler: The kids get away with it, and a random homeless person is found guilty of their crime.]]
* FatalFlaw - [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her...all while still bound and gagged, but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
* FixFic - At least two professional works, the above mentioned ''Game's End'' by Barry Schneebeli (more on this below), and a subplot in the novel ''The Abyss'' by Steve Vance, were born out each writer's desire to [[spoiler: save Barbara and/or punish the kids]].
** If you've ever read the book, you might be tempted to write one yourself. [[SincerityMode No one would blame you.]]
* FreudianExcuse - Paul
* FromBadToWorse - And worse. And worse. [[spoiler:And it never gets better.]]
to:
* CreepyChild - CreepyChild: Paul
*DamselInDistress - DamselInDistress: Barbara is probably the most extreme version of this trope in existence, since she is held captive and imperiled the entire book starting from the very beginning.
*{{Deconstruction}} - {{Deconstruction}}: Pretty much does this to the oft-used comedic plot device of the babysitter being tied up by her charges (Series/ILoveLucy for example). When Barbara is first tied up, it seems like the novel will go in a light-hearted direction. She's more surprised and annoyed, than concerned. That changes in the second or third chapter.
*DiedStandingUp - DiedStandingUp: [[spoiler: Perhaps the only time this trope has had no connection to Badassery. Barbara, due to how she is tied at the end.]]
*DownerEnding - DownerEnding: [[spoiler: The kids get away with it, and a random homeless person is found guilty of their crime.]]
*FatalFlaw - FatalFlaw: [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her...her... all while still bound and gagged, but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
*FixFic - FixFic: At least two professional works, the above mentioned ''Game's End'' by Barry Schneebeli (more on this below), and a subplot in the novel ''The Abyss'' by Steve Vance, were born out each writer's desire to [[spoiler: save Barbara and/or punish the kids]].
**kids]]. If you've ever read the book, you might be tempted to write one yourself. [[SincerityMode No one would blame you.]]
*FreudianExcuse - FreudianExcuse: Paul
*FromBadToWorse - FromBadToWorse: And worse. And worse. [[spoiler:And it never gets better.]]
*
*
*
*
*
*
**
*
*
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* HumiliationConga - ''Game's End''.
* KarmaHoudini - [[spoiler: The kids who did all this.]]
** [[spoiler:''Game's End'' retconned this two ways. First, Barbara was saved at the last moment. Second, most of the book was about the kids answering for their crimes (and the tragedy their parents go through).]]
* KidsAreCruel - They're as cruel as they can get here.
* KarmaHoudini - [[spoiler: The kids who did all this.]]
** [[spoiler:''Game's End'' retconned this two ways. First, Barbara was saved at the last moment. Second, most of the book was about the kids answering for their crimes (and the tragedy their parents go through).]]
* KidsAreCruel - They're as cruel as they can get here.
to:
* HumiliationConga - HumiliationConga: ''Game's End''.
*KarmaHoudini - KarmaHoudini: [[spoiler: The kids who did all this.]]
** [[spoiler:''Game's End'' retconned this two ways. First, Barbara was saved at the last moment. Second, most of the book was about the kids answering for their crimes (and the tragedy their parents go through).]]
this.
*KidsAreCruel - KidsAreCruel: They're as cruel as they can get here.
*
** [[spoiler:''Game's End'' retconned this two ways. First, Barbara was saved at the last moment. Second, most of the book was about the kids answering for their crimes (and the tragedy their parents go through).]]
*
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* PeerPressureMakesYouEvil - Many of these kids, it is implied, wouldn't do things to Barbara on their own. Especially Bobby, whose conscience nags at him much of the time. But as a group, they lose their inhibitions, or go along with what the others are doing.
** Depressingly, this is TruthInTelevision. People always tend to mentally degenerate in groups like that - take the Bystander Syndrome for example. If one kid saw a dying person in front of him, he would try to help him because he feels 100% responsible. If it was ten kids, each of them would feel only 10% responsible.
* PunchClockVillain - Bobby, one of the kids Barbara was babysitting.
** Depressingly, this is TruthInTelevision. People always tend to mentally degenerate in groups like that - take the Bystander Syndrome for example. If one kid saw a dying person in front of him, he would try to help him because he feels 100% responsible. If it was ten kids, each of them would feel only 10% responsible.
* PunchClockVillain - Bobby, one of the kids Barbara was babysitting.
to:
* PeerPressureMakesYouEvil - PeerPressureMakesYouEvil: Many of these kids, it is implied, wouldn't do things to Barbara on their own. Especially Bobby, whose conscience nags at him much of the time. But as a group, they lose their inhibitions, or go along with what the others are doing.
** Depressingly, this is TruthInTelevision. People always tend to mentally degenerate in groups like that - take the Bystander Syndrome for example. If one kid saw a dying person in front of him, he would try to help him because he feels 100% responsible. If it was ten kids, each of them would feel only 10% responsible.
* PunchClockVillain - PunchClockVillain: Bobby, one of the kids Barbara was babysitting.
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* RippedFromTheHeadlines - Maybe. Some speculate that it was very loosely inspired by the Sylvia Likens case (which was a tragedy of its own, also involving kids being very cruel to a teen girl, but was of a very different nature than this book). Others say there are more differences than similarities.
* TeensAreMonsters - The premise of the books is teenagers capturing and tormenting an adult.
* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth - The epilogue suggests that this is why [[spoiler: Barbara died.]]
* TeensAreMonsters - The premise of the books is teenagers capturing and tormenting an adult.
* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth - The epilogue suggests that this is why [[spoiler: Barbara died.]]
to:
* RippedFromTheHeadlines - RippedFromTheHeadlines: Maybe. Some speculate that it was very loosely inspired by the Sylvia Likens case (which was a tragedy of its own, also involving kids being very cruel to a teen girl, but was of a very different nature than this book). Others say there are more differences than similarities.
*TeensAreMonsters - TeensAreMonsters: The premise of the books is teenagers capturing and tormenting an adult.
*TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth - TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth: The epilogue suggests that this is why [[spoiler: Barbara died.]]
*
*
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* TheAtoner - [[spoiler:Bobby;]] this ultimately gets him [[spoiler: killed.]]
to:
* TheAtoner - TheAtoner: [[spoiler:Bobby;]] this ultimately gets him [[spoiler: killed.]]
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* DistantFinale - [[spoiler:Barbara]]'s portion of the epilogue.
* DyingAsYourself - [[spoiler:Paul.]] Right before [[spoiler:he dies]], the cloud of insanity is finally lifted from his mind.
* EarnYourHappyEnding - Barbara's [[spoiler: physical rescue]] comes easily enough, but it takes the rest of the book to emotionally overcome what happened to her.
* DyingAsYourself - [[spoiler:Paul.]] Right before [[spoiler:he dies]], the cloud of insanity is finally lifted from his mind.
* EarnYourHappyEnding - Barbara's [[spoiler: physical rescue]] comes easily enough, but it takes the rest of the book to emotionally overcome what happened to her.
to:
* DistantFinale - DistantFinale: [[spoiler:Barbara]]'s portion of the epilogue.
*DyingAsYourself - DyingAsYourself: [[spoiler:Paul.]] Right before [[spoiler:he dies]], the cloud of insanity is finally lifted from his mind.
*EarnYourHappyEnding - EarnYourHappyEnding: Barbara's [[spoiler: physical rescue]] comes easily enough, but it takes the rest of the book to emotionally overcome what happened to her.
*
*
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%%* HeelFaceTurn - [[spoiler:Bobby]]
* HumiliationConga - [[spoiler:John]]; this culminates in him being raped in prison and later [[spoiler: committing suicide.]]
* KarmaHoudini - Played straight with [[spoiler:Cindy]]. Downplayed with [[spoiler:Diane]], who serves out a prison sentence but then later jumps parole when she's released; as of the epilogue, her current whereabouts are unknown.
* {{Mentor|s}} - Bobby's father, [[spoiler:who helps him find the inner strength to testify against the rest of the five in court.]]
* RedemptionEqualsDeath - In the epilogue, a [[spoiler: now-teenaged Bobby]] dies saving a girl who he thought was drowning. She [[spoiler: wasn't really drowning]], she thought he was cute and was just trying to get his attention. His father speculates on whether, in his last moments, [[spoiler: Bobby]] finally found the ability to forgive himself.
* RescueRomance
* HumiliationConga - [[spoiler:John]]; this culminates in him being raped in prison and later [[spoiler: committing suicide.]]
* KarmaHoudini - Played straight with [[spoiler:Cindy]]. Downplayed with [[spoiler:Diane]], who serves out a prison sentence but then later jumps parole when she's released; as of the epilogue, her current whereabouts are unknown.
* {{Mentor|s}} - Bobby's father, [[spoiler:who helps him find the inner strength to testify against the rest of the five in court.]]
* RedemptionEqualsDeath - In the epilogue, a [[spoiler: now-teenaged Bobby]] dies saving a girl who he thought was drowning. She [[spoiler: wasn't really drowning]], she thought he was cute and was just trying to get his attention. His father speculates on whether, in his last moments, [[spoiler: Bobby]] finally found the ability to forgive himself.
* RescueRomance
to:
%%* HeelFaceTurn - HeelFaceTurn: [[spoiler:Bobby]]
*HumiliationConga - HumiliationConga: [[spoiler:John]]; this culminates in him being raped in prison and later [[spoiler: committing suicide.]]
*KarmaHoudini - KarmaHoudini: ''Game's End'' retcons this trope's occurrence from the first book two ways. First, Barbara is saved at the last moment. Second, most of the book is about the kids answering for their crimes (and the tragedy their parents go through).]] Played straight with [[spoiler:Cindy]]. Downplayed with [[spoiler:Diane]], who serves out a prison sentence but then later jumps parole when she's released; as of the epilogue, her current whereabouts are unknown.
[[spoiler:Cindy]], though.
*{{Mentor|s}} - {{Mentor|s}}: Bobby's father, [[spoiler:who helps him find the inner strength to testify against the rest of the five in court.]]
*RedemptionEqualsDeath - RedemptionEqualsDeath: In the epilogue, a [[spoiler: now-teenaged Bobby]] dies saving a girl who he thought was drowning. She [[spoiler: wasn't really drowning]], she thought he was cute and was just trying to get his attention. His father speculates on whether, in his last moments, [[spoiler: Bobby]] finally found the ability to forgive himself.
*RescueRomanceRescueRomance:
*
*
*
*
*
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%%* SpannerInTheWorks - [[spoiler:Jack.]]
to:
%%* SpannerInTheWorks - SpannerInTheWorks: [[spoiler:Jack.]]
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None
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%%* KillTheCutie
to:
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%%* PurpleProse
%%* RapeAsDrama
%%* RapeAsDrama
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%%* RapeAsDrama
* RapeAsDrama: [[spoiler:Johnny rapes Barbara.]]
* RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil: Johnny's MoralEventHorizon is that [[spoiler:he rapes Barbara.]]
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None
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%% Zero content examples aren't allowed on the wiki, please add context before uncommenting them. [[quoteright:105:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/adams-cover-crop.jpg]]
to:
%% Zero content examples aren't allowed on the wiki, please add context before uncommenting them. [[quoteright:105:https://static.them.
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/adams-cover-crop.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lets_go_play_at_the_adams_by_mendal_johnson_1980_bantam_pbk.jpg]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.
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Fixed some whited out examples
Changed line(s) 40,44 (click to see context) from:
* RippedFromTheHeadlines - Maybe. Some speculate that it was loosely, very loosely, inspired by the Sylvia Likens case (which was a tragedy of its own, also involving kids being very cruel to a teen girl, but was of a very different nature than this book). Others say there are more differences than similarities.
* TeensAreMonsters - Very much so.
* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth - [[spoiler: The epilogue suggests that this is why Barbara died.]]
* TookALevelInBadass: Barbara [[spoiler:suddenly quits being a distressed damsel and almost manages to fight her way to freedom, all while still tied up. The only reason she fails is due to her unwillingness to hurt one of the children]].
* TeensAreMonsters - Very much so.
* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth - [[spoiler: The epilogue suggests that this is why Barbara died.]]
* TookALevelInBadass: Barbara [[spoiler:suddenly quits being a distressed damsel and almost manages to fight her way to freedom, all while still tied up. The only reason she fails is due to her unwillingness to hurt one of the children]].
to:
* RippedFromTheHeadlines - Maybe. Some speculate that it was loosely, very loosely, loosely inspired by the Sylvia Likens case (which was a tragedy of its own, also involving kids being very cruel to a teen girl, but was of a very different nature than this book). Others say there are more differences than similarities.
* TeensAreMonsters -Very much so.
The premise of the books is teenagers capturing and tormenting an adult.
* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth -[[spoiler: The epilogue suggests that this is why [[spoiler: Barbara died.]]
* TookALevelInBadass: Barbara[[spoiler:suddenly quits being a distressed damsel and almost [[spoiler:almost manages to fight her way to freedom, all while still tied up. up.]] The only reason she fails is due to her unwillingness to [[spoiler: hurt one of the children]].
* TeensAreMonsters -
* TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth -
* TookALevelInBadass: Barbara
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* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler:In the very last scene, Barbara and Jack are happily married and have children.]]
to:
* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler:In In the very last scene, Barbara [[spoiler:Barbara and Jack Jack]] are happily married and have children.]]
Changed line(s) 50,51 (click to see context) from:
* DyingAsYourself - [[spoiler:Paul.]] Right before [[spoiler:he dies, the cloud of insanity is finally lifted from his mind]].
* EarnYourHappyEnding - [[spoiler: Barbara's physical rescue comes easily enough, but it takes the rest of the book to emotionally overcome what happened to her.]]
* EarnYourHappyEnding - [[spoiler: Barbara's physical rescue comes easily enough, but it takes the rest of the book to emotionally overcome what happened to her.]]
to:
* DyingAsYourself - [[spoiler:Paul.]] Right before [[spoiler:he dies, dies]], the cloud of insanity is finally lifted from his mind]].
mind.
* EarnYourHappyEnding -[[spoiler: Barbara's [[spoiler: physical rescue rescue]] comes easily enough, but it takes the rest of the book to emotionally overcome what happened to her.]]
* EarnYourHappyEnding -
Changed line(s) 54,56 (click to see context) from:
* HeelFaceTurn - [[spoiler:Bobby]]
* HumiliationConga - [[spoiler:John; this culminates in him being raped in prison and later committing suicide.]]
* KarmaHoudini - [[spoiler:Played Straight with Cindy. Downplayed with Diane, who serves out a prison sentence but then later jumps parole when she's released; as of the epilogue, her current whereabouts are unknown.]]
* HumiliationConga - [[spoiler:John; this culminates in him being raped in prison and later committing suicide.]]
* KarmaHoudini - [[spoiler:Played Straight with Cindy. Downplayed with Diane, who serves out a prison sentence but then later jumps parole when she's released; as of the epilogue, her current whereabouts are unknown.]]
to:
* HumiliationConga -
* KarmaHoudini -
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* RedemptionEqualsDeath - [[spoiler: In the epilogue, a now-teenaged Bobby dies saving a girl who he thought was drowning. She wasn't really drowning, she thought he was cute and was just trying to get his attention. His father speculates on whether, in his last moments, Bobby finally found the ability to forgive himself.]]
to:
* RedemptionEqualsDeath - [[spoiler: In the epilogue, a [[spoiler: now-teenaged Bobby Bobby]] dies saving a girl who he thought was drowning. She [[spoiler: wasn't really drowning, drowning]], she thought he was cute and was just trying to get his attention. His father speculates on whether, in his last moments, Bobby [[spoiler: Bobby]] finally found the ability to forgive himself.]]
Changed line(s) 60,62 (click to see context) from:
** [[spoiler:Barbara and Jack, although their relationship takes its sweet time to get to that point.]]
** [[spoiler:In Bobby's portion of the epilogue, a girl attempts to invoke this by pretending to drown; he ends up drowning himself when trying to save her.]]
* SpannerInTheWorks - [[spoiler:Jack.]]
** [[spoiler:In Bobby's portion of the epilogue, a girl attempts to invoke this by pretending to drown; he ends up drowning himself when trying to save her.]]
* SpannerInTheWorks - [[spoiler:Jack.]]
to:
** [[spoiler:Barbara and Jack, Jack]], although their relationship takes its sweet time to get to that point.point.
** In Bobby's portion of the epilogue, a girl attempts to invoke this [[spoiler:by pretending to drown]]; he ends up [[spoiler: drowning himself when trying to save her.]]
** [[spoiler:In Bobby's portion of the epilogue, a girl attempts to invoke this by pretending to drown; he ends up drowning himself when trying to save her.]]
*%%* SpannerInTheWorks - [[spoiler:Jack.]]
** In Bobby's portion of the epilogue, a girl attempts to invoke this [[spoiler:by pretending to drown]]; he ends up [[spoiler: drowning himself when trying to save her.]]
*
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Had to remove review material from the introduction.
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The author, Mendal W. Johnson, died shortly after the novel was published. There's some speculation as to whether or not this is essentially one massive AuthorAppeal-fest, but most will tell you, the book is '''very''' well-written, and definitely gets under your skin. One review [[http://www.badmovieplanet.com/3btheater/books/pulp/letsgoplayadams.html here]] attests to that.
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Explaining some aspects of the story
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%%* BondageIsBad
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%%* DamselInDistress
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%%* DownerEnding
* FatalFlaw: [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her...all while still bound and gagged, but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
* FatalFlaw: [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her...all while still bound and gagged, but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
to:
* FatalFlaw - [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her...all while still bound and gagged, but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
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Took out spoiler in the description
Deleted line(s) 9,10 (click to see context) :
The book finally ends with... [[spoiler:Barbara's death, and the kids successfully getting away with it.]]
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Commented out zero content examples, removed potholed spoilers
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[[quoteright:105:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/adams-cover-crop.jpg]]
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%% Zero content examples aren't allowed on the wiki, please add context before uncommenting them. [[quoteright:105:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/adams-cover-crop.jpg]]
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* BondageIsBad
to:
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* DamselInDistress
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* DownerEnding
* FatalFlaw: [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her...all while still bound and gagged]], but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
* FatalFlaw: [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome fight off her captors and nearly forces them to free her...all while still bound and gagged]], but relents at the last second because she can't bear to hurt Cindy any more than she already is.]]
to:
* FatalFlaw: [[spoiler: Barbara manages to get the upper hand and
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* KillTheCutie
to:
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* PurpleProse
* RapeAsDrama
* RapeAsDrama
to:
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* TookALevelInBadass: Barbara [[spoiler:suddenly quits being a distressed damsel and almost manages to fight her way to freedom, all while still tied up. The only reason she fails is due to her FatalFlaw]].
to:
* TookALevelInBadass: Barbara [[spoiler:suddenly quits being a distressed damsel and almost manages to fight her way to freedom, all while still tied up. The only reason she fails is due to her FatalFlaw]].
unwillingness to hurt one of the children]].
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* TheAtoner - [[spoiler:Bobby; this ultimately gets him killed.]]
* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler:In the very last scene, Barbara and Jack are HappilyMarried and have children.]]
* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler:In the very last scene, Barbara and Jack are HappilyMarried and have children.]]
to:
* TheAtoner - [[spoiler:Bobby; [[spoiler:Bobby;]] this ultimately gets him [[spoiler: killed.]]
* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler:In the very last scene, Barbara and Jack areHappilyMarried happily married and have children.]]
* BabiesEverAfter: [[spoiler:In the very last scene, Barbara and Jack are
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* FixFic
* ForWantOfANail
* ForWantOfANail
to:
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* HumiliationConga - [[spoiler:John; this culminates in PrisonRape and later [[DrivenToSuicide suicide]].]]
to:
* HumiliationConga - [[spoiler:John; this culminates in PrisonRape him being raped in prison and later [[DrivenToSuicide suicide]].committing suicide.]]
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* WhereAreTheyNowEpilogue
to: