In a summer of reading diverse books, I was given this book about six rich, white kids at a camp in the Northeast United States. Voluminous and complicated, perplexing and loquacious (can the written word be loquacious?), The Interestings’ least-interesting part is its title. In fact, the least “interesting” member of the group is Meg Wolitzer’s main character Jules, because she starts off out of place and different from the rest. Actually, that’s unfair. All of the characters are so dynamic, have so much depth, underneath the artistic and privileged facade that they erect for the rest of the world. What starts off seeming whiny and self-important develops into the very real problems they face and subsequently, the problems with our society, particularly the love of money and all the ease that financial well-being bring to every aspect of life.

If you’re still with me, keep in mind the arduous journey you face. An ocean of words about the characters’ deepest, darkest fears, some of which make them much less sympathetic to this reader. (spoilers ensue, though perhaps not that surprising) Perhaps, in fact, Dennis is right, “...the truth of it is that none of you were all that great…. They’re not that interesting.” or that, like Ethan indicates, that unless you’ve survived rape, imprisonment in a cellar or torture, at a certain point, you need to “get over yourself.”

I wrote all of the above with about 3% still left to read, and I have to say the ending surprised me. I’m glad I took this journey with Ms. Wolitzer.