The Interestings

Meg Wolitzer

60 pages 2-hour read

Meg Wolitzer

The Interestings

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

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Book Brief

Meg Wolitzer

The Interestings

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Details
Pages

468

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Modern Classic Fiction

Coming of Age
Setting

New York • 1970s-2010s

Theme
Friendship

Coming of Age

Social Class
Topic
Social Class
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer follows a group of six friends who meet at an arts camp in 1974 and traces their lives into adulthood, centering on Jules, who envies her friends' perceived successes. The book explores themes of envy, mental illness, unfulfilled potential, and evolving relationships, illustrating the complex emotional landscapes and the inevitable changes friendships undergo over time. Topics include mental illness, depression, and struggles surrounding identity and familial obligations.

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

3.8

129,837 ratings

58%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer is praised for its complex character development and engaging portrayal of lifelong friendships. Reviewers appreciated the exploration of ambition and envy over decades. However, some found the pacing uneven and certain plot elements less compelling. Overall, it’s seen as a rich, thought-provoking read that delves deeply into personal and societal themes.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Interestings?

A reader who enjoyed The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer likely appreciates character-driven narratives that span decades, exploring themes of friendship, ambition, and the ebb and flow of personal fortunes. Fans of novels such as Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections and Jeffrey Eugenides's The Marriage Plot may find similar appeal in Wolitzer's detailed, introspective storytelling.

3.8

129,837 ratings

58%

Loved it

28%

Mixed feelings

14%

Not a fan

Character List

The novel’s protagonist who begins as an insecure outsider and navigates a lifelong journey of self-redefinition, balancing ambitions and personal expectations.

Jules’s friend, embodying privilege and grace, who pursues her passion for directing theater, while managing personal challenges and complexities beneath her poised demeanor.

A talented animator whose evolution from prodigy to media mogul explores themes of art and success, with his loyalty to Jules impacting his personal relationships.

A charismatic yet troubled leader during the group's summer camp days, whose actions significantly alter the group's dynamics and individual trajectories.

Jules’s pragmatic husband, who provides stability and perspective, often serving as an anchor for Jules's more unsettled artistic life.

A quiet musician born into artistic expectation who turns to engineering, with his story exploring themes of talent, trauma, and redemption.

A passionate and intense character whose pivotal experiences at camp become crucial to the unfolding events, with her later life reflecting themes of reinvention and resilience.

Book Details
Pages

468

Format

Novel • Fiction

Genre
Modern Classic Fiction

Coming of Age
Setting

New York • 1970s-2010s

Theme
Friendship

Coming of Age

Social Class
Topic
Social Class
Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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