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Quick answer: Good book club questions for The Interestings focus on talent, envy and friendship. Below are 17 questions grouped by theme, with a spoiler-free summary, a characters-and-themes table, meeting ideas and a sample 90-minute plan.
Quick facts
– Book: The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
– First published: 2013
– Setting: A summer arts camp in Massachusetts and New York City, 1974 to the 2010s
– Content note: Sexual assault mentioned and grief
The Interestings is a rewarding choice for a book club because it gives readers plenty to discuss without needing special knowledge. This guide gives you questions you can use as written or adapt for your group, plus ideas for running the meeting, so that a host with little time can still lead a good conversation.
Table of Contents
Spoiler-Free Summary
In 1974, a group of teenagers meet at Spirit-in-the-Woods, an arts summer camp, and name themselves “the Interestings.” Jules Jacobson, a funny outsider, joins Ash, her brother Goodman, Ethan Figman, Jonah and Cathy. Over the next forty years, Ethan becomes a famous animator and Ash a theater director, while Jules struggles with envy and her ordinary life.
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Main Characters and Themes
| Character or Theme | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Jules Jacobson | A funny, envious woman |
| Ash Wolf | Her best friend |
| Ethan Figman | A famous animator |
| Goodman Wolf | Ash's troubled brother |
Discussion Questions (Contains Spoilers)
These questions assume everyone has finished the book, so they discuss the ending. They are grouped by theme so you can move through them in order or jump to the topic your group cares about most. Feel free to rephrase them, add follow-up questions such as “why do you think so?” and skip any that do not suit your members.
Opening Reactions
- What was your first impression of The Interestings, and did it change as you read?
- Which scene or passage stayed with you most, and why?
Jules
- Why does Jules envy her friends?
- Is she happy?
- How does her marriage compare?
- Does she change?
Talent
- What does talent give and take?
- How does success change Ethan?
- What happened with Goodman?
- Who is most interesting?
Friendship
- How do the friendships last?
- Which secret hurt most?
- Was the ending satisfying?
- Would you recommend it?
Looking Back
- How did the ending of The Interestings make you feel, and was it the ending you expected?
- Would you recommend this book to a friend, and what would you tell them first?
- If you could ask Meg Wolitzer one question, what would it be?
Meeting Ideas
Ask members to share what they dreamed of being as teenagers.
A simple way to start is to have each person share a one-sentence rating of the book before discussion begins. It surfaces disagreements early and gives quieter members a chance to speak first. You can also ask each member to bring one question of their own, which often leads to the best conversations of the night.
Ways to Make the Discussion Richer
- Compare formats. If a film, series or stage version of The Interestings exists, discuss what changes and why.
- Share a favorite line. Ask each person to read a short passage that stood out and explain what it meant to them.
- Cast the book. Ask the group who they would cast in the main roles, and why.
- Rate the pace. Ask where the book felt fastest or slowest, and whether the structure worked for them.
- Pair it with a snack or drink. Food connected to the story gives guests something to talk about before the formal discussion starts.
Tips for Leading the Discussion
- Prepare, but stay flexible. Pick a handful of questions in advance and let the group's reactions guide you.
- Invite quieter voices. Ask someone who has not spoken to share a favorite line or scene.
- Welcome disagreement. A lively debate about a character is a sign that the book is working.
- Return to the text. Ask members to point to a passage in The Interestings that supports their view.
- Watch the clock. Move on when a question has run its course, and save extra questions for another time.
If your group has only an hour, choose one question from each theme and skip the rest.
Is The Interestings a Good Book Club Pick?
The Interestings is a long, smart novel about friendship.
Books Like This One
- Freedom by Jonathan Franzen: friends and rivals
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt: a close group
How to Structure Your Meeting
A 90-minute meeting works well in four parts:
- Welcome and quick ratings (10 minutes). Settle in and share a one-line reaction.
- Spoiler-free talk (20 minutes). Start with characters, setting and style before the plot.
- Spoiler discussion (45 minutes). Work through three or four of the questions above, letting the conversation wander when it is productive.
- Wrap-up (15 minutes). Share favorite lines, choose the next book and thank the host.
If the conversation is going well, it is fine to let it run long and skip some questions.
After the Meeting
Send a short follow-up message with the next title, the date and a link to any readings or articles that came up. Some groups keep a simple record of books read and ratings, which makes it easier to choose future picks and spot the kinds of books the group loves most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions should we prepare for The Interestings?
Five to eight is enough for a 90-minute meeting. This guide gives seventeen, so you can choose the ones that fit your group.
Does The Interestings work as a first pick for a new book club?
The Interestings is a long, smart novel about friendship.
Is it long?
About 470 pages.
Who wrote it?
Meg Wolitzer, also the author of The Wife.
Are there spoilers in this guide?
The questions after the summary discuss the ending.
What if some members have not finished The Interestings?
Start with the spoiler-free questions and a short plot recap, then move to the spoiler section only when most people have finished.