What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Art of Getting By
Gavin Wiesen · Film · 2011
If you loved The Art of Getting By, start with My So-Called Life (Winnie Holzman, 1994) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to The Art of Getting By across media.
You were drawn to The Art of Getting By because of its raw, melancholic portrayal of teenage existentialism and intellectual detachment.
Books on the same thread
Ghost World
Daniel Clowes · Book · 2001
Explores: Teenage angst, Female friendship, Existential dread.
If you resonated with the fatalistic outlook in The Art of Getting By, you will appreciate the sharp social alienation and existential dread shared by the protagonists here.
The Fault in Our Stars
John Green · Book · 2012
Shares 2 threads with The Art of Getting By: First Love, Coming-of-Age.
The deep intellectual connection and preoccupation with mortality seen in The Art of Getting By find a profound, heart-wrenching echo in this story of young love and terminal illness.
The Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald · Book · 2004
Explores: American Dream, Social Class, Love and Loss.
The romantic obsession and tragic disillusionment that define the protagonist of The Art of Getting By are reflected in this classic tale of longing and the impossibility of the past.
Sentimental Education
Gustave Flaubert · Book · 2016
Explores: Romantic Obsession, Disillusionment, Social Commentary.
Much like the weary, introspective George in The Art of Getting By, the protagonist here navigates the painful intersection of romantic attachment, disillusionment, and the search for authentic meaning.
Series on the same thread
Freaks and Geeks
Paul Feig · Series · 1999
Shares 2 threads with The Art of Getting By: First Love, Teen Drama.
The sense of being a social outsider in The Art of Getting By is mirrored perfectly in this series, which captures the same authentic, angst-ridden high school identity crisis.
Heartstopper
Alice Oseman · Series · 2022
Shares 2 threads with The Art of Getting By: First Love, Teen Drama.
While The Art of Getting By focuses on a cynical worldview, this show provides a hopeful, grounded perspective on the vulnerability of first love and the journey toward self-discovery.
Euphoria
Sam Levinson · Series · 2019
Shares 2 threads with The Art of Getting By: Teen Drama, Coming-of-Age.
The intense teenage angst and struggle for identity that anchor The Art of Getting By are pushed to their most extreme and visceral limits in this dark, complex drama.
My So-Called Life
Winnie Holzman · Series · 1994
Shares a thread with The Art of Getting By: First love.
The feeling of being a misunderstood teenager searching for connection in The Art of Getting By is captured with poignant realism in this story of emotional growth and parental alienation.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Art of Charm
The Art of Charm · Podcast · 2026
Explores: social skills, human dynamics, personal development.
If the social isolation depicted in The Art of Getting By left you wanting more, this podcast offers practical frameworks for overcoming that detachment through mastery of human dynamics.
Lex Fridman Podcast
Lex Fridman · Podcast · 2026
Explores: human condition, technological ethics, deep thinking.
The philosophical inquiry and intellectual weight that define the tone of The Art of Getting By are expanded upon through these long-form conversations exploring the nature of existence.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Art of Getting By a story about high school students?
Yes, The Art of Getting By follows George, a lonely and fatalistic teenager in his senior year of high school. He eventually forms a friendship with Sally, a popular but complicated girl who identifies him as a kindred spirit during their final year.
What is the central conflict in The Art of Getting By?
The central conflict in The Art of Getting By involves George, a student who has avoided doing any real work throughout his academic career. His fatalistic approach to life is challenged when he is befriended by Sally, a girl who recognizes their shared, complicated nature.
Who are the main characters in The Art of Getting By?
The main characters in The Art of Getting By are George and Sally. George is a lonely, fatalistic senior who has never applied himself to his work, while Sally is a popular and complex girl who connects with him as a kindred spirit.
Is The Art of Getting By about a student who avoids schoolwork?
Yes, The Art of Getting By focuses on George, a teenager who has reached his senior year without ever having done a real day of work. The narrative follows his interactions with Sally, who recognizes his fatalistic personality as similar to her own.