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Ok, I know this is going to be an unpopular opinion but I happen to find Jonathan Franzen an extremely gifted writer. His value as a human being may be up for debate but as a writer? There's no doubt in my mind that he is quite gifted.
This book will not convert anyone to the Franzen fan club, that's for sure. It is long, extremely so. It goes off on wild tangents that are only slightly related to the main story. The title character isn't even in the book for a good third of it. Basically, if you didn't love the corrections or freedom, I don't think you will love this one either.
All that being said, however, I found this book endlessly fascinating. Franzen's ability to craft a story out of seemingly nothing is to be admired. His excesses only serve to further the story here. This one has not much of a plot. It is a character study and the richness of the characters on display here is just extraordinary. They feel lived in and like fully fleshed out human beings. They feel three dimensional and unique. Did I mention that parts of this book are set in California and Texas, two places that have a very special place in my heart?! Yeah, I guess you could say I was already predisposed to like this book!
Is it as good as freedom or the corrections? No, not at all but those books are both so great that it would be hard for anything else he writes to top them. However, this one just proves that Franzen has lost none of his writing gifts. I may not like a lot of what he says as a person but as a writer, I will follow him anywhere! Highly recommended but only if you are already a fan of his. Much like murakami, Franzen is an acquired taste!
This book will not convert anyone to the Franzen fan club, that's for sure. It is long, extremely so. It goes off on wild tangents that are only slightly related to the main story. The title character isn't even in the book for a good third of it. Basically, if you didn't love the corrections or freedom, I don't think you will love this one either.
All that being said, however, I found this book endlessly fascinating. Franzen's ability to craft a story out of seemingly nothing is to be admired. His excesses only serve to further the story here. This one has not much of a plot. It is a character study and the richness of the characters on display here is just extraordinary. They feel lived in and like fully fleshed out human beings. They feel three dimensional and unique. Did I mention that parts of this book are set in California and Texas, two places that have a very special place in my heart?! Yeah, I guess you could say I was already predisposed to like this book!
Is it as good as freedom or the corrections? No, not at all but those books are both so great that it would be hard for anything else he writes to top them. However, this one just proves that Franzen has lost none of his writing gifts. I may not like a lot of what he says as a person but as a writer, I will follow him anywhere! Highly recommended but only if you are already a fan of his. Much like murakami, Franzen is an acquired taste!