Added to my TBR! Sounds amazing! The cover is giving me all the retro summertime vibes and I'm here for it. I don't think I would've ever picked this up on my own but your review has me really intrigued. So glad you liked it! Part of my fear going into a big book is investing a lot of time in something that might not do much for me. Not liking a book is hard and disappointing enough without it being 500+ pages. Proud of you for tackling this one so you can let us all know it IS in fact worth it! So excited to get into an author that's new to me and try something outside my comfort zone. Great review, Jaylen!
Chuffed about this. In preparation I went back and reread The Corrections and got reminded why I love Franzen so much. Freedom has been my favorite novel since I first read it💜 I understand why some people find him annoying and pretentious, but the man is a genius and writes superior books. Not much to do about that.
Incredible review. Yes, I think you nailed Franzen when you said: “good plot, good writing.” Based on the ones you have in your library I’d rate them: 1) Corrections; 2) Freedom; 3) Purity Franzen’s novels revisit a lot of the same themes: the complexity of marriage; what children think of their parents and what parents envision for said children; family dysfunction and the ensuing dynamics when the generations converge (usually over dinner or a crisis). I don’t quite remember what it is about his writing that tends to rub people the wrong way but I’ve heard him speak live and he seems like a staid intellectual who is haunted by family stories. He was very good friends with the writer David Foster Wallace and they couldn’t be more different in their approaches to fiction and form. Reading Wallace would be a nice counterpoint. He’s a challenge but his cult status is earned.
oooo what an incredible review❣️I loved how detailed it was because you only talked about 1 book instead of a whole list I don't feel like many people do these anymore! def want to pick this one up too
The Corrections is excellent, first book I read by Franzen, and it got me hooked. Loved Purity, but now that I've finished Crossorads, it's probably my favorite by him. I found myself thinking about the book and the characters all the time while I was reading the book, each character was so complex and so well written.
i just finished and totally agree on the last 10-15% especially in Russ's POV that kind of dragged and brought down the book for me BUT in the end it was such a strong novel overall and such an enjoyable reading experience i think i have to give it 5 stars. i loved Marion's backstory the most too. it was epic
I've DNF'ed two Franzens, but I'd be open to trying this one for sure. Thanks for putting it on my radar. People seem to love his work and maybe this is the book I can get into!
I may be going out on a limb here but I wonder if David Foster Wallace was a model for Perry. Franzen was a close friend of DFW and knew well about his addictions, depression, as well as his brilliance--qualities that Perry shares. While reading the book I kept seeing Perry as a young DFW.
Just finished this and absolutely loved it. The mirroring between Marian and Perry, how the metaphors used to talk about their manic depression is beautiful
This a sensitive and thoughtful review. So good. It also made me think about the role and use of religion in America - I find ii amazing how the characters think God is interested in their lives and no mattter what decision they make God is gripped, so self indulgent.
Looking forward to checking this book out. I was not a fan of “The Corrections” and did not understand what all the hoopla was about. Loved your comment about finding a book that immersed you and reignited your love of reading. Nghi Vo’s “ The Chosen and the Beautiful”, a reimagining of “The Great Gatsby” recently did that for me.
Finally got round to reading and reviewing Crossroads so circled back to this excellent review. I think this is the best of his novels that I have read. That doesn't mean you won't get the same kick out of The Corrections, Freedom or Purity, but I really think Crossroads is the high water mark for now.
My first Franzen and loved it too! I can't wait to read Freedom now as well...and I am so curious about what happens to this family. My favorite part of the book was that it had so much humor in it as well!
Great review, looking forward to this one now. Agree with others on The Corrections - that was my first Franzen and really enjoyed it. Freedom also good, though a bit zany in places. Purity on my TBR pile - been there for a while, I guess a Franzen feels like a ‘commitment’ in terms of length and how absorbed I’ll get in it, needs the right frame of mind.
The corrections as a stand alone book is better to me, but this one is close... but as a series it has the potential to be really incredible. Thanks for your review!
The Corrections is the best american novel of the 2000s decade. I don't care what anybody says. It portrays perfectly the suburban american zeitgeist of the 21st century. Very excited for this novel.
I appreciate the review. I really didn't like it. A lot of the religious youth group stuff is based on Franzen's own early life. The Corrections is his best book to date in my opinion.
Added to my TBR! Sounds amazing! The cover is giving me all the retro summertime vibes and I'm here for it. I don't think I would've ever picked this up on my own but your review has me really intrigued. So glad you liked it! Part of my fear going into a big book is investing a lot of time in something that might not do much for me. Not liking a book is hard and disappointing enough without it being 500+ pages. Proud of you for tackling this one so you can let us all know it IS in fact worth it! So excited to get into an author that's new to me and try something outside my comfort zone. Great review, Jaylen!
Chuffed about this. In preparation I went back and reread The Corrections and got reminded why I love Franzen so much. Freedom has been my favorite novel since I first read it💜 I understand why some people find him annoying and pretentious, but the man is a genius and writes superior books. Not much to do about that.
Mate! This review is 🔥
Incredible review. Yes, I think you nailed Franzen when you said: “good plot, good writing.” Based on the ones you have in your library I’d rate them: 1) Corrections; 2) Freedom; 3) Purity
Franzen’s novels revisit a lot of the same themes: the complexity of marriage; what children think of their parents and what parents envision for said children; family dysfunction and the ensuing dynamics when the generations converge (usually over dinner or a crisis). I don’t quite remember what it is about his writing that tends to rub people the wrong way but I’ve heard him speak live and he seems like a staid intellectual who is haunted by family stories. He was very good friends with the writer David Foster Wallace and they couldn’t be more different in their approaches to fiction and form. Reading Wallace would be a nice counterpoint. He’s a challenge but his cult status is earned.
So insanely jealous that you get to read his previous three books for the first time. "Freedom" is a perfect novel, and I don't say that lightly.
Second vote for freedom. Crossroads was a great book but Freedom really did it for me
Third vote for Freedom - though I know I am late to the party.
oooo what an incredible review❣️I loved how detailed it was because you only talked about 1 book instead of a whole list I don't feel like many people do these anymore! def want to pick this one up too
The Corrections is excellent, first book I read by Franzen, and it got me hooked. Loved Purity, but now that I've finished Crossorads, it's probably my favorite by him. I found myself thinking about the book and the characters all the time while I was reading the book, each character was so complex and so well written.
Enjoying it so far. Franzen is my favorite living author.
Thanks for the review! My first time in your channel but I like your review so much!
i just finished and totally agree on the last 10-15% especially in Russ's POV that kind of dragged and brought down the book for me BUT in the end it was such a strong novel overall and such an enjoyable reading experience i think i have to give it 5 stars. i loved Marion's backstory the most too. it was epic
I've DNF'ed two Franzens, but I'd be open to trying this one for sure. Thanks for putting it on my radar. People seem to love his work and maybe this is the book I can get into!
I may be going out on a limb here but I wonder if David Foster Wallace was a model for Perry. Franzen was a close friend of DFW and knew well about his addictions, depression, as well as his brilliance--qualities that Perry shares. While reading the book I kept seeing Perry as a young DFW.
What a great review! 👏👏👏. I’ve read and loved a couple Franzens back in the day and this one sounds amazing.
Just finished this and absolutely loved it. The mirroring between Marian and Perry, how the metaphors used to talk about their manic depression is beautiful
Jonathan Franzen is an amazing author. Glad you got to read it! It's on my TBR for this year! Thanks for the review.
loved this in-depth review, I'm also new to Franzen but will try to read Freedom before this one comes out!
This a sensitive and thoughtful review. So good. It also made me think about the role and use of religion in America - I find ii amazing how the characters think God is interested in their lives and no mattter what decision they make God is gripped, so self indulgent.
Looking forward to checking this book out. I was not a fan of “The Corrections” and did not understand what all the hoopla was about. Loved your comment about finding a book that immersed you and reignited your love of reading. Nghi Vo’s “ The Chosen and the Beautiful”, a reimagining of “The Great Gatsby” recently did that for me.
returned to this video to enjoy the thrill of experiencing it for the first time.
i'm at the halfway mark, but it's incredible so far!
Finally got round to reading and reviewing Crossroads so circled back to this excellent review. I think this is the best of his novels that I have read. That doesn't mean you won't get the same kick out of The Corrections, Freedom or Purity, but I really think Crossroads is the high water mark for now.
My first Franzen and loved it too! I can't wait to read Freedom now as well...and I am so curious about what happens to this family. My favorite part of the book was that it had so much humor in it as well!
Great review, looking forward to this one now. Agree with others on The Corrections - that was my first Franzen and really enjoyed it. Freedom also good, though a bit zany in places. Purity on my TBR pile - been there for a while, I guess a Franzen feels like a ‘commitment’ in terms of length and how absorbed I’ll get in it, needs the right frame of mind.
Wonderful review!👌
Thank you!!
Hi, great review. I'm glad to see you enjoyed Crossroads as much as I did Which sentence were you referring to regarding Perry and his addiction?
I completely agree with everything you said about Crossroads: it's an awesome read--unputdownable, like all his novels.
The corrections as a stand alone book is better to me, but this one is close... but as a series it has the potential to be really incredible. Thanks for your review!
Freedom and The Corrections! OMG OMG. Read them now.
Great review!
Great review of an author I have been meaning to read for years. Very interested now.
I really think is the best writer of his generation.
Agreed - Marion was my favorite!
So anxious to read Crossroads that I’m rereading Purity to calm me down until I put my hands on a copy.
Excellent review. You nailed Franzen’s genius
The Corrections is the best american novel of the 2000s decade. I don't care what anybody says. It portrays perfectly the suburban american zeitgeist of the 21st century.
Very excited for this novel.
Ahhh I’m hyped for it. I’m hoping to read it before the end of the year. Hope you love Crossroads!
Do you have some Filipino 🇵🇭 heritage?
I appreciate the review. I really didn't like it. A lot of the religious youth group stuff is based on Franzen's own early life. The Corrections is his best book to date in my opinion.
And thanks:)