I started writing a post on Jonathan Franzen's new book, Freedom: A Novel
, on August 16th. That's when I started seeing intriguing hints about the book around the web. I didn't end up hitting the publish button, because I hadn't read the book. I really hate writing posts on books that I haven't read. But there's demand for a Franzen post, so I thought I would simply pass on the reviews and the controversy.
In a nutshell, critics are deeply adoring this book. The backlash has already begun.
Here's a video book review in the Washington Post, if you can't handle reading.
http://specials.washingtonpost.com/mv/embed/?title=%27Freedom%27%20video%20book%20review%20with%20Ron%20Charles&stillURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fwp-dyn%2Fcontent%2Fphoto%2F2010%2F08%2F30%2FPH2010083003914.jpg&flvURL=%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F08%2F30%2F08302010-14v.m4v&width=480&height=270&autoStart=false&clickThru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fwp-dyn%2Fcontent%2Fvideo%2F2010%2F08%2F30%2FVI2010083003847.html
Here's Franzen himself talking about author videos and "books as the quiet alternative."
Apt. 11d 
Wow I just finished reading it last night so this post is well timed.
I really enjoyed The Corrections. I am not convinced Franzen is the alpha and omega of literature today but I definitely approached this one positively. And I thought it was a good read.
Most of the characters sat well with me and so did most of their choices, although Walter’s career/conservation issues didn’t make sense to this Canadian. The secondary characters didn’t always measure up and I thought a little bit more time de-stereotyping them would have been nice. I thought most of the description and cultural notes were pretty bang-on.
I did struggle a bit with Patty’s character; I think it was deliberate that her struggles were mostly focused on her rebellious son and her romantic life but in a book where other details are so accurate I felt like I was getting half the story on her.
Anyways IMO it’s worth the time to read it.
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I don’t read anything without a wizard or a footnote.
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Thanks Jenn for the the review. I always appreciate “real person” reviews. I will give it a try.
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I always appreciate “real person” reviews.
Because I’m obviously not a reason person.
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In this thread, I’m not real in more ways than one.
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Another good conversation…
http://www.doublex.com/blog/xxfactor/more-troubling-data-about-women-writers
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MH, you’re still re-reading Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell?
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It’s laying around the house and my wife mentioned it to me. Does it have a wizard or a footnote?
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The title characters are both wizards, and boy does it ever have footnotes.
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I suppose I’ll have to read it then. Mostly I was making a joke about reading nonfiction and Harry Potter/LOTR/etc.
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