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A review by tbchic
The Discomfort Zone: A Personal History by Jonathan Franzen
4.0
I've only recently become aware that Jonathan Franzen exists, so when I saw this book at my local bookstore for the price of a meagre 3 euros, I sort of had to buy it. Tbh, I wouldn't have minded paying a bit more now that I've read it.
It's a great book all in all. Franzen gives us a relatable look at his early life; he explores and portrays the Franzen family dynamics, proclaims his love for the Peanuts (esp. Snoopy), recalls his boyhood antics, talks about his non-existent sex life as a young adult and yes, there is even a section dedicated to his love of German literature (every German lit major should read that part, tbh). The style is amazing and the story flows seamlessly, although the changes in the timeline can sometimes be quite abrupt. I loved reading it and I would have given it 5 stars if it were not for the last 20-30 pages. I was really engrossed in reading about his personal life, yet in the end he basically (more or less) just talks about observing birds in probably every US state and he becomes so obsessed with watching them that he secretly takes time off his work to continue this peculiar hobby. God, I wasn't ever a big fan of birds, but now I feel like I hate them with a passion.
Maybe I'm overreacting, but that part really bugged me. I would still recommend it tho.
It's a great book all in all. Franzen gives us a relatable look at his early life; he explores and portrays the Franzen family dynamics, proclaims his love for the Peanuts (esp. Snoopy), recalls his boyhood antics, talks about his non-existent sex life as a young adult and yes, there is even a section dedicated to his love of German literature (every German lit major should read that part, tbh). The style is amazing and the story flows seamlessly, although the changes in the timeline can sometimes be quite abrupt. I loved reading it and I would have given it 5 stars if it were not for the last 20-30 pages. I was really engrossed in reading about his personal life, yet in the end he basically (more or less) just talks about observing birds in probably every US state and he becomes so obsessed with watching them that he secretly takes time off his work to continue this peculiar hobby. God, I wasn't ever a big fan of birds, but now I feel like I hate them with a passion.
Maybe I'm overreacting, but that part really bugged me. I would still recommend it tho.