The Interestings Book Summary - The Interestings Book explained in key points

The Interestings summary

Meg Wolitzer

Brief summary

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer is a captivating novel that follows a group of friends who meet at an arts camp in the 1970s. As they navigate the ups and downs of life, their relationships and aspirations are put to the test.

Give Feedback
Table of Contents

    The Interestings
    Summary of key ideas

    The Beginning of an Unlikely Friendship

    In The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, we are introduced to six teenagers who meet at a summer camp for the arts. Despite coming from different backgrounds, they form an unlikely friendship, dubbing themselves 'The Interestings'. The group consists of Jules, a self-conscious and aspiring actress; Ethan, a talented animator from a wealthy family; Ash, his beautiful and confident girlfriend; Jonah, a musical prodigy; Goodman, a kind-hearted and overweight boy; and Cathy, a girl with a talent for drawing.

    The story takes off when Jules, who has always felt out of place among her more talented and affluent friends, is invited to live with Ethan and Ash in New York City after high school. The trio shares a small apartment, and despite the financial disparity, Jules feels like she finally belongs somewhere. She becomes romantically involved with Jonah, and they all begin their journey into adulthood with high hopes and dreams.

    The Unraveling of Dreams

    As time passes, the once close-knit group starts to drift apart. Ethan, who was expected to be the most successful, struggles with his animation career, while Ash, who was seen as the least talented, becomes a famous actress. Jonah, who was once a musical prodigy, now works as an engineer, and Jules, who had dreams of becoming an actress, becomes a therapist. The only one who seems to have stayed true to his teenage self is Goodman, who becomes a doctor and marries Cathy.

    The book delves into the theme of envy and how it can corrode even the strongest of friendships. Jules, who had always felt like the least interesting one, becomes consumed by jealousy as she watches her friends achieve the success they once dreamed of. She is especially envious of Ethan, who has become a successful animator and married to Ash. Jules' feelings of inadequacy grow, and she starts to distance herself from her old friends.

    Mid-Life Crisis and Reunion

    As the characters enter their middle age, they all face different challenges. Ethan and Ash struggle with their marriage, Jonah grapples with the death of his wife, and Jules deals with her feelings of unfulfilled potential. The once bright and promising future they envisioned for themselves as teenagers seems to have dimmed, leaving them feeling disillusioned and dissatisfied.

    Despite their differences and the passage of time, the group reunites at Goodman and Cathy's home to celebrate his success as a doctor. During the reunion, old tensions resurface, and they are forced to confront the reality of their lives and the choices they have made. The reunion serves as a catalyst for them to reflect on their past, their friendship, and the paths they have taken.

    Acceptance and Moving On

    As the novel draws to a close, the characters come to terms with their lives and the fact that they may not have achieved the success they once imagined. They realize that life is not always fair and that success is not solely determined by talent. The ending is bittersweet, with the characters accepting their realities and finding a sense of closure.

    In conclusion, The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer is a poignant exploration of friendship, envy, and the complexities of life. It beautifully captures the evolution of relationships over time and the harsh reality that not all dreams come true. The characters' journey from adolescence to middle age is a reminder that life is unpredictable, and success is not always what it seems.

    Give Feedback
    How do we create content on this page?
    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is The Interestings about?

    The Interestings follows a group of friends who meet at an arts camp in the 1970s and explores how their lives and relationships evolve over the course of several decades. With rich character development and insightful commentary on talent, ambition, and the passage of time, Meg Wolitzer delves into the complexities of friendship and the pursuit of creative fulfillment.

    The Interestings Review

    The Interestings (2013) follows a group of friends who meet at an arts camp in the 1970s and navigate through the complexities of adulthood together. Here's why this book is worth a read:
    • Its deep exploration of friendship dynamics and the passage of time offers a realistic portrayal of relationships evolving over decades.
    • Through rich character development and intricate storytelling, the book immerses readers in the characters' triumphs and struggles, creating a sense of deep connection.
    • The exploration of personal growth, envy, and ambition in the characters' lives keeps the narrative engaging and far from boring.

    Who should read The Interestings?

    • Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives

    • People interested in exploring the complexities of friendship and envy

    • Those who appreciate insightful commentary on art, creativity, and ambition

    About the Author

    Meg Wolitzer is an acclaimed author known for her insightful and engaging storytelling. With a career spanning several decades, Wolitzer has written numerous novels that explore the complexities of human relationships and the passage of time. Some of her other notable works include "The Wife," "The Ten-Year Nap," and "The Female Persuasion." Through her thought-provoking narratives, Wolitzer has established herself as a prominent voice in contemporary literature.

    Categories with The Interestings

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    36 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Get started

    The Interestings FAQs 

    What is the main message of The Interestings?

    The main message of The Interestings revolves around friendship, talent, and the complexities of life.

    How long does it take to read The Interestings?

    Reading The Interestings can take a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in under 15 minutes.

    Is The Interestings a good book? Is it worth reading?

    The Interestings is a captivating read due to its rich character development and exploration of dreams versus reality.

    Who is the author of The Interestings?

    The author of The Interestings is Meg Wolitzer.

    What to read after The Interestings?

    If you're wondering what to read next after The Interestings, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
    • Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
    • Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
    • Happiness by Richard Layard
    • The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowiecki
    • The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
    • Simply Complexity by Neil F. Johnson
    • Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday
    • The World Without Us by Alan Weisman
    • The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz