Plot Summary

The Interestings

Meg Wolitzer
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The Interestings

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013

Book Brief

Meg Wolitzer

The Interestings

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

560

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York • 1970s-2010s

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

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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

Book Details
Pages

560

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York • 1970s-2010s

Publication Year

2013

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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