See? This is what happens when I clean off my desk. I read The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer weeks ago and then dutifully shelved the book, and in the process I forgot to actually write the review. My thoughts are no longer fresh, but I will try my best.
The Interestings is about a group of young people who meet at a summer arts camp. The novel traces the lives of this group of six individuals as they grow, marry, have children and move into middle-agedom. Throughout this period there are some key friendships, but also some shifts. And of course, at the heart of it all there is a scandal. If you know me then you know that this novel is right up my alley.
What impressed me most about The Interestings, however, was the writing. For some reason, I had always slotted Wolitzer into the category of chick lit without having read her. Boy, was I wrong. And I should have known how wrong I was when Wolitzer called out the New York Times on their gender bias in book reviews. Wolitzer is a first class literary writer. She has a straight forward sensibility and draws characters beautifully.
Who would like this book? If you like a novel with a strong ensemble cast, then The Interestings is your book. The characters and the friendships in the book highlight many of social movements of the later half of the twentieth century. That is to say, The Interestings was not written in a vacuum. Wolitzer was clearly aware of the world surrounding her characters and brought that into the story. I think this would be a perfect read for a book club of long standing friends who came of age together during the 1970s and 80s.
Have you read The Interestings? What did you think? Send me a link to your review and I will include it in my post.
52 books or bust 
This is the best review I have read yet about this book. I’ve been on the fence about reading this one, because a friend of mine found it depressing and hard to get through, and I haven’t been able to get that out of my head until now. Now it sounds much better!
Wow, that quite something to live up to. What if you read the book and hate it? Then I’m in trouble!
I adored The Interestings and just finished The Wife by Wolitzer, which was just as wonderful. She’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
Yeah, I think I’m going to have start reading more Wolitzer.
I’ve been wanting to read this book. so glad it turned out to be such a great read. i read an article yesterday about feminist authors and Wolitzer was included. Can’t believe I haven’t read any of her books yet!
This has been on my radar for a long time now, I really need to tackle it soon!
This sounds like a terrific book!
I fell absolutely in love with this book 🙂 Great review!
I will definitely be reading this one since I loooooved The Wife recently…a lesser-known novella. I also have The Ten Year Nap and The Uncoupling hanging out somewhere on my shelves.
I haven’t read this year, but I’d love too. Character driven novels have been some of my favorites lately 🙂 Great review!
I had similar impressions of Meg Wolitzer. I’m not sure why — maybe the covers on her previous books? — but I know that after I read this book I realized I was wrong. She’s a beautiful writer with strong, interesting characters.
I think maybe she was marketed as check lit when chick lit was at it’s prime, which really did her a disservice. I can’t wait to read more of her.
Great review! I was excited to get into this one but the way it started was beginning to put me off (YA is not my thing… pretentious teenagers at a summer camp for the gifted? pfft no thanks) but I loved how it developed after that first part. Here’s my review: the interestings
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