Name: Colton Ray's review of You All Grow Up and Leave Me by Piper Weiss
Item: You All Grow Up and Leave Me
Rating: 3
Author: Colton Ray

Piper Weiss

"Unflinching, rich and revelatory."—MEGAN ABBOTT “Gorgeous, moody, and evocative . . . half coming-of-age story and half exhaustively researched true crime.” —VANITY FAIR “Bracingly honest and extremely discomfiting, this book is like a riveting episode of Law & Order: SVU set at a Manhattan prep school with the U.S. Open as a backdrop.”—MARIE CLAIRE A riveting blend of true crime and coming-of-age memoir— The Stranger Beside Me meets Prep—that presents an intimate and thought-provoking portrait of girlhood within Manhattan’s exclusive private-school scene in the early 1990s, and a thoughtful meditation on adolescent obsession and the vulnerability of youth. Piper Weiss was fourteen years old when her middle-aged tennis coach, Gary Wilensky, one of New York City’s most prestigious private instructors, killed himself after a failed attempt to kidnap one of his teenage students. In the aftermath, authorities discovered that this well-known figure among the Upper East Side tennis crowd was actually a frightening child predator who had built a secret torture chamber—a "Cabin of Horrors"—in his secluded rental in the Adirondacks. Before the shocking scandal broke, Piper had been thrilled to be one of "Gary’s Girls." "Grandpa Gary," as he was known among his students, was different from other adults—he treated Piper like a grown-up, taking her to dinners, engaging in long intimate conversations with her, and sending her special valentines. As reporters swarmed her private community in the wake of Wilensky’s death, Piper learned that her mentor was a predator with a sordid history of child stalking and sexual fetish. But why did she still feel protective of Gary, and why was she disappointed that he hadn’t chosen her? Now, twenty years later, Piper examines the event as both a teenage eyewitness and a dispassionate investigative reporter, hoping to understand and exorcise the childhood memories that haunt her to this day. Combining research, interviews, and personal records, You All Grow Up and Leave Me explores the psychological manipulation by child predators—their ability to charm their way into seemingly protected worlds—and the far-reaching effects their actions have on those who trust them most.

A Memoir of Teenage Obsession

You All Grow Up and Leave Me

Drue Thomas

"Unflinching, rich and revelatory."—MEGAN ABBOTT “Equal Parts true-crime investigation and self-reflection . . . Bracingly honest and extremely discomfiting, this book is like a riveting episode of Law & Order: SVU set at a Manhattan prep school with the U.S. Open as a backdrop.”—MARIE CLAIRE A riveting blend of true crime and coming-of-age memoir—The Stranger Beside Me meets Prep—that presents an intimate and thought-provoking portrait of girlhood within Manhattan’s exclusive private-school scene in the early 1990s, and a thoughtful meditation on adolescent obsession and the vulnerability of youth. Piper Weiss was fourteen years old when her middle-aged tennis coach, Gary Wilensky, one of New York City’s most prestigious private instructors, killed himself after a failed attempt to kidnap one of his teenage students. In the aftermath, authorities discovered that this well-known figure among the Upper East Side tennis crowd was actually a frightening child predator who had built a secret torture chamber—a "Cabin of Horrors"—in his secluded rental in the Adirondacks. Before the shocking scandal broke, Piper had been thrilled to be one of "Gary’s Girls." "Grandpa Gary," as he was known among his students, was different from other adults—he treated Piper like a grown-up, taking her to dinners, engaging in long intimate conversations with her, and sending her special valentines. As reporters swarmed her private community in the wake of Wilensky’s death, Piper learned that her mentor was a predator with a sordid history of child stalking and sexual fetish. But why did she still feel protective of Gary, and why was she disappointed that he hadn’t chosen her? Now, twenty years later, Piper examines the event as both a teenage eyewitness and a dispassionate investigative reporter, hoping to understand and exorcise the childhood memories that haunt her to this day. Combining research, interviews, and personal records, You All Grow Up and Leave Me explores the psychological manipulation by child predators—their ability to charm their way into seemingly protected worlds—and the far-reaching effects their actions have on those who trust them most.

Colton Ray

This was a cross between true crime and memoir about a young girl's relationship with an attempted kidnapper. It was definitely unique and much better written than other true crime books I've read, being written from the perspective of a potential victim. It's clear that both of these people were broken and unhappy and never quite fit into their lives, despite both looking successful from the outside. There really is no satisfying ending or answer or even much of a crime, only realizing that even the people you think you know the best can harbor dark and dangerous secrets and passions.

Julia Briganti

** spoiler alert **
           This memoir.... how to begin. It felt unnecessary, if I'm being honest. I am shocked this is considered a true crime novel - googling the case will tell you more about it than this book. Not to mention was quite disturbing how much she wanted to be the victim. I suppose that's what she was trying to explore in this book, and it is certainly a vulnerable position to be in, so I praise her for being able to write and publish this. That being said, it felt like she wrote this simply out of self interest. The structure was also SO confusing?? It's a shame because some of the writing is honestly quite beautiful, but this was not the book for me.

Drue Thomas &
You All Grow Up and Leave Me by Piper Weiss

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Drue Thomas &You All Grow Up and Leave Me by Piper Weiss

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You All Grow Up and Leave Me by Piper Weiss