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eec_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it but … on the one hand there’s a lot of nimbly handled interweaving, which I really liked. But on the other hand, at crucial points there is kinda lazy storytelling. Like simple, but nonsensical, solutions to story-arc problems and foundational things that felt murky.
brittnilurvesberks's review against another edition
5.0
I think this story had specific resonance with me because my current group of fully adult friends, now in our mid to late thirties, was cultivated at a ragtag community college in the theatre arts and dance department, when I was a wee 18 year old. Zygotal by any standards. While the story itself is not particularly "interesting" at all, the beauty and magnetism of it lies in really, REALLY well written relationships. I can attest there is a truthful depiction of how new friends grow into old friends, talk to each other and regard one another, how marriages work, and how most young artists inevitably grow away from what made them feel special in the first place- because life happens. If a series of fortunate events don't happen for you, it's wildly difficult to maintain a path of passionate artistry. This book captures a lot of hard truths about aging, and friendship, and desire in a way that I found hypnotizing and accurate. It also does a great job of spanning decades and capturing the essence of those moments and movements in time in America. After slogging through a few books this year, despite the obvious effort that went into them, this one reminded me that some people are just born to write, and reading never has to be tedious, with the right author.
sminster's review against another edition
5.0
I wish i could give this book 6 stars!!!!! I finished this and felt like these characters were all my friends. Huge fan
laurenlunderwood's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but for its length it doesn't really ever tell you enough about any one character to really be invested in them. The omniscient viewpoint of the narrator leaves out the real thoughts and feelings of the characters and makes understanding their actions or behaviors superficial. All of that aside, what makes this book boing is the total lack of transformation of any of the characters. None of them really ever seem happy, and the most complex character, Ash has very little of her own depth and while each of the other characters has a chapter or two devoted to them Ash seems to be totally left out. I feel like I missed the boat on this one!
cecesher's review against another edition
1.0
The constant whining of the protagonist is too much. The Interestings is not all that interesting. A slog through several sections, the stalled story needing a titanic sized propeller. Certainly could have cut 200 pages. A potential interesting occurrence, interrupted by more "oh whoa is me" Jules drivel. 20 pages go by of blah...and now an interesting tidbit....
awderrick's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
darcycarlson's review against another edition
4.0
This book was in some ways really simple but it made me really love it and become invested in each of the characters. I loved watching their lives progress from aspiring teenagers to their lived selves as adults.
sharimeyer's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book but I think I can see why many of my friends (and other readers, too) did not. I would potentially recommend the book to people who like reading about 'ordinary' people who are striving to be more than that.
rekadarnb's review against another edition
3.0
This book was good and had some really interesting sentences, but it was long as hell. I really enjoyed how the author made Jules and Ethan come to life, however, I can't say the same about the other characters. Ash almost seemed too perfect and her brother was just an idiot all around. I'm undecided as to whether or not I would recommend this book, but I know that I won't be reading it again.