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minusfigures's review against another edition
3.0
If you want a novel that highlights all the inconsistencies and contradictions of human behaviour, without the insult of a proffered resolution, then have at it. Loses points for a heavy reliance on the reader being aware of the author as 'above' the banal stories and emotions he's writing about, although I'll admit that's probably more my own bad mood permeating.
whatrayreads's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chs2022's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
byp's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty big spoilers below:
Happily, my first Franzen was much more enjoyable than I anticipated. Pretty spot-on depiction of the political discussions of the last ten years; 24 hours after I read it, I'm still thinking a lot about it.
Franzen is really good at dialogue, and for a lengthy book, whose reading was interrupted for about a week, it flies by. I liked the structure, the way different characters told different parts of the story, and I guess the Franzen staple (large geopolitical machinations affecting the day-to-day lives of a "normal" family) was mostly believable, save perhaps for how Joey's story worked out.
But, the women. I like Patty a lot, but her whole depression wraps up in a way that I don't totally understand, ditto Connie. Jessica is barely even a character, and the only member of the Berglund family whose story we never hear. Patty, Connie, and Lalitha are seen as successful wives when they totally and completely submit to the men in their lives: Lalitha literally dies for hers. And the whole thing is pretty phallo-centric, with everything from the Iraq war to the housing collapse tracing back to dudes who just want to get BJs, essentially. Patty finally is attracted to her husband after he has "rape sex" with her, and Patty is literally a rape victim. This didn't necessarily leave me feeling skeevy, but a bit... bored with it all. Really? It's always about penises? Always? Yawn.
I'm glad I read it, though. Good stuff for the most part.
Happily, my first Franzen was much more enjoyable than I anticipated. Pretty spot-on depiction of the political discussions of the last ten years; 24 hours after I read it, I'm still thinking a lot about it.
Franzen is really good at dialogue, and for a lengthy book, whose reading was interrupted for about a week, it flies by. I liked the structure, the way different characters told different parts of the story, and I guess the Franzen staple (large geopolitical machinations affecting the day-to-day lives of a "normal" family) was mostly believable, save perhaps for how Joey's story worked out.
But, the women. I like Patty a lot, but her whole depression wraps up in a way that I don't totally understand, ditto Connie. Jessica is barely even a character, and the only member of the Berglund family whose story we never hear. Patty, Connie, and Lalitha are seen as successful wives when they totally and completely submit to the men in their lives: Lalitha literally dies for hers. And the whole thing is pretty phallo-centric, with everything from the Iraq war to the housing collapse tracing back to dudes who just want to get BJs, essentially. Patty finally is attracted to her husband after he has "rape sex" with her, and Patty is literally a rape victim. This didn't necessarily leave me feeling skeevy, but a bit... bored with it all. Really? It's always about penises? Always? Yawn.
I'm glad I read it, though. Good stuff for the most part.
smusie's review against another edition
4.0
I love freedom, and I sure do like Freedom an awful lot. Apparently, however, too much freedom is not a good thing. To find out why I didn't go all out with five stars, see Ron Charles's video: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/08/30/VI2010083003847.html?sid=ST2010083102726
paleleaf's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
heatherlou81's review against another edition
3.0
Treading a fine balance between skewering post-modern-liberal-consumerist-guilty-white-middle-class and being tender, compassionate examination of said culture. Also, really funny and many awesome turns of phrase.