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willowbiblio's review
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
"He'd had the sense, moments earlier, that Caroline was on the verge of accusing him of being "depressed", and he was afraid that if the idea that he was depressed gained currency, he would forfeit his right to his opinions. He would forfeit his moral certainties; every word he spoke would become a symptom of disease; he would never again win an argument."
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I deeply did not enjoy much of this book, not even a little bit. The characters were insufferable and enraging. Unlike his other novel I've read, Crossroads, these qualities never relented. Also, having all the men eroticize literally every thing they came into contact with was exhausting and repulsive.
The moment I knew my experience of this book wouldn't improve was when Franzen graphically described Alfred ejaculating onto the fetus of his unborn daughter while raping his wife. Truly, what fucking purpose does that serve?
I also ended up skimming at least 100-150 pages because of how unironically dense the text became. I know Franzen's strength is writing unlikeable characters and somehow keeping the reader hooked anyways, but it wasn't yet perfected in this novel and I think some of his thoughts should have just stayed inside. The way he explored some similar themes in Crossroads was executed so much better. I'm definitely disappointed by how disappointing this was. It also could have been 200 pages shorter.
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I deeply did not enjoy much of this book, not even a little bit. The characters were insufferable and enraging. Unlike his other novel I've read, Crossroads, these qualities never relented. Also, having all the men eroticize literally every thing they came into contact with was exhausting and repulsive.
I also ended up skimming at least 100-150 pages because of how unironically dense the text became. I know Franzen's strength is writing unlikeable characters and somehow keeping the reader hooked anyways, but it wasn't yet perfected in this novel and I think some of his thoughts should have just stayed inside. The way he explored some similar themes in Crossroads was executed so much better. I'm definitely disappointed by how disappointing this was. It also could have been 200 pages shorter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
panyua's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Death of parent
mialouise26's review
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape
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