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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I love these BIG American books. Immersed in one family. Lots of sex though and like Family Guy I felt the daughter didn't get her own chapter. Why?
like Franzen's other books some great insights into the human condition and some indefensible cock and boner obsessed male-centric writing.
very good on post punk Jewfro Richard, the bad friend with his contemptuous attitude to "chicks" (and his dislike of manicured deodorised cunt) & and Joey's stool searching - Franzen totally manifests an American male disappointment.
but lets himself down with "boner" obsession (and like Corrections and Purity Franzen males get boners all the time: when they cry; think about cannabis; make money ...personally I feel a little left out! I've never had one except when...y'know...)
like Franzen's other books some great insights into the human condition and some indefensible cock and boner obsessed male-centric writing.
very good on post punk Jewfro Richard, the bad friend with his contemptuous attitude to "chicks" (and his dislike of manicured deodorised cunt) & and Joey's stool searching - Franzen totally manifests an American male disappointment.
but lets himself down with "boner" obsession (and like Corrections and Purity Franzen males get boners all the time: when they cry; think about cannabis; make money ...personally I feel a little left out! I've never had one except when...y'know...)
was not a huge fan of this book - not sure if it’s because it took up over 23 hours of my time or if my subconscious sabotaged it bc i got sick while reading it or if it was bc the story was all over the place and confusing to me
This was a quite interesting read. It took me a while to realize how apt the title is---the book is an exploration of the concept of freedom, both as it occurs in political rhetoric and, more importantly, how we justify our personal actions and rationalize their effects on the people we interact with. It was in no way an abstract novel, however, and Franzen's insight into what makes us tick is both exceptionally keen and incredibly well demonstrated. Just the experience of reading is to be recommended to anyone. It's also a gratifyingly quick and engrossing read. No complaints.
Thoroughly enjoyed this meditation on family, friends, loyalty and finding your way.
I am a big Franzen fan. I didn't like this one as much as The Corrections, but found it an addictive/uncomfortable look at the American family.
Very human story of a marriage. This guy writes gud.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read it for a book club. Didn't like it, for all sorts of reasons. Think I'll leave it at that.
Don DeLillo did this sort of thing better in Underworld. That said, this was a very good book. Not sure it merits the immensity of the hype, though. Also not sure how it will hold up over time; it's very much a book of the moment.