The Prettiest One Summary & Key Insights

James Hankins' "The Prettiest One" isn't a straightforward narrative but rather a complex exploration of masculinity, beauty, and the corrosive effects of societal expectations, particularly within the context of the competitive world of male beauty pageants. The novel weaves together multiple interwoven storylines, primarily focusing on the lives of three young men: Billy, a deeply insecure and emotionally vulnerable young man; his more confident and outwardly successful brother, Bobby; and their friend, Randy.

The central plot revolves around Billy’s pursuit of beauty pageants, specifically the "Mr. America" competition. Driven by a desperate need for validation and acceptance, he clings to the promise of beauty as a means of escaping his perceived inadequacies and gaining the love he craves. His participation forces him to confront the often-cruel realities of the pageant world, exposing the artifice, the cutthroat competitiveness, and the vulnerability of those who participate. He's continually judged not only on his physical appearance but also on his performative masculinity.

Bobby, initially supportive, becomes increasingly resentful of Billy’s success, fueled by his own internal struggles with self-worth and a sense of being overshadowed. His story reflects the pressures placed on men to conform to traditional masculine ideals, even when those ideals prove damaging. He grapples with his own sense of masculinity, attempting to define it outside the confines of the superficial world Billy inhabits. Randy, a friend from their childhood, serves as a counterpoint, representing a more grounded and accepting perspective on life, free from the obsession with appearances.

The narrative isn't linear; it shifts between past and present, revealing the formative experiences that shaped each character's worldview. We see the brothers' difficult childhood, a relationship marked by both love and rivalry, and the influence of their mother, who holds particular expectations of Bobby and has a complicated and often hurtful relationship with Billy.

A crucial theme is the performative nature of masculinity. The pageant becomes a microcosm of a larger societal pressure on men to conform to specific, often unrealistic, standards of beauty and behavior. The novel underscores the pain and alienation that result from this constant performance, particularly for those who don't easily fit the mold. The pursuit of beauty is shown not as liberation, but as a potentially destructive obsession, leading to self-doubt, jealousy, and ultimately, a profound sense of emptiness.

Ultimately, "The Prettiest One" doesn't offer easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, it presents a nuanced and unsettling portrait of the complexities of masculinity, the corrosive effects of societal pressures, and the enduring search for self-acceptance in a world that often defines individuals by superficial standards. The novel leaves the reader to contemplate the lasting impact of these struggles and the difficult path towards genuine self-discovery.