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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Because Franzen as a reputation as a jerk, I really wanted to hate his writing, but anyone who can take as dull a situation as he does (boring Midwest family life in the '80's) and make it somewhat interesting has to be a really good writer. I don't like reading about modern life in America, but Franzen managed to make me read all the way through. For those who do like reading such stories, I can imagine him being a favorite author.
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Phew, it made it to the end thanks to the nudge of library ebook expiration. At times this book is just too full of itself and its contempt for average Americans. I breezed over the tedious sections about finance and experimental medication and Eastern European politics - they ultimately didn't mean much to the plot, so it's no loss.
What kept me hooked was the quality of Franzen's descriptions. He managed to capture everyday actions and family dynamics so well. The portrait of a Midwestern housewife's sensibilities and Christmas obsessions was so terrifyingly accurate I couldn't look away.
What kept me hooked was the quality of Franzen's descriptions. He managed to capture everyday actions and family dynamics so well. The portrait of a Midwestern housewife's sensibilities and Christmas obsessions was so terrifyingly accurate I couldn't look away.
Classic Franzen with intricate story lines of one dysfunctional family. Typical amazing character development, yet not as intricately layered as previous reads by Franzen. Enjoyed reading it through yet kept excepting more story developmental and more social references that I found engaging in Freedom.
I really tried... twice actually. I managed to read almost two hundred pages, but then I thought... Why bother? Reading is about enjoying the book, and this one was not enjoyable at all. I had done that before, finishing a book that I didn't like just to be able to say that I didn't like it. I think I've learnt my lesson now. I won't waste my time again with bad books.
Beautifully written. Not sure how I feel about the overall plot or characters.
I despised all the major characters for most of the book, but felt strangely invested in their well-being. Maybe it says something about the writing/character development that I still wanted everyone to succeed?
This is an impressive piece of literature for sure, but I have mixed feelings about it that I haven’t worked through just yet.
This is an impressive piece of literature for sure, but I have mixed feelings about it that I haven’t worked through just yet.
I devoured this book. Even though virtually nothing happens, it's still a page-turner. I appreciated the crisp writing, the cultural commentary, the super-intimate portraits of interpersonal life. Franzen's ability to switch POVs is really astonishing. (George Martin can't hold a candle to Franzen in this category.)
But as the book jacket proclaims, The Corrections is "serious fiction," and as such, it's the kind of book you're supposed to keep thinking about once you've put it down. So I feel like I should evaluate it within the category it's chosen.
When I finished the book, I felt tired. It was a defeating, suspicious kind of story. It didn't make me want to learn about things, or other people, or contribute to the world. It didn't even raise big questions - at least, not without providing pat answers. In my view, if you're going to write "serious fiction," you have a responsibility to leave your readers better off for having read your book.
Franzen writes in the very fluid style of Tom Wolfe (more wry) and John Irving (more earnest). Both Wolfe and Irving are funnier. Though I liked The Corrections, I'd recommend one of their works instead.
But as the book jacket proclaims, The Corrections is "serious fiction," and as such, it's the kind of book you're supposed to keep thinking about once you've put it down. So I feel like I should evaluate it within the category it's chosen.
When I finished the book, I felt tired. It was a defeating, suspicious kind of story. It didn't make me want to learn about things, or other people, or contribute to the world. It didn't even raise big questions - at least, not without providing pat answers. In my view, if you're going to write "serious fiction," you have a responsibility to leave your readers better off for having read your book.
Franzen writes in the very fluid style of Tom Wolfe (more wry) and John Irving (more earnest). Both Wolfe and Irving are funnier. Though I liked The Corrections, I'd recommend one of their works instead.
Okay, this is one of those books that I've found some people love and the others hate it. there's no in between. but i've also noticed that if you have a semi screwed up family, you'll love this book