Book #40

The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
480 pages

 

I had heard many great things about this book, and actually was under the impression it was a YA novel. I was very surprised when I had this over 400-page book waiting for me on hold at the library a few weeks back.

The story starts at a summer camp for the arts, and with a group of misfit teenagers trying to find their place. It continued on through college, early adulthood and even toward retirement of these "kids."

Jules Jacobson is one of the starring players, as she was the girl on the outside looking in to the "Interestings," which is what the group decided to call themselves. She befriends Ash and her well-to-do family, and falls in love with their lifestyle.

I enjoyed the character of Ethan, as his storyline takes him to become an empire of a show like The Simpsons. Reading about his creative and thoughtful character being thrusted into so much money and fame was a good plot point.

The rest of The Interestings? Not all that interesting. I'd go as far to say that I would have enjoyed this book much, much more if it were about 150 pages shorter than what it was. I was fighting to finish it at the end, which is never a good sign.

Next up: Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris