Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

2 reviews

annapolly14's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

never have i thought a writer could be so pretentious yet the book be so completely engaging. it is so obvious from the writing that franzen and i do not have the same life experiences and philosophies, yet i've thought about this book nearly every day since i've read it. every single character in this book is utterly detestable but i found myself caring about what happens to them. obviously docked points for falling into the common male-author-writing-women phenomenon, but overall fantastic
Expand filter menu Content Warnings

danielthesecond's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I had such a good time with this book! Franze manages to tell a sprawling narrative that can be reaching out in 3+ different directions, yet it never feels like too much, and it manages to create intimacy and understanding between the reader and every character that you come across, no matter how unlikeable they may have seemed when they were first introduced. 

There were some flaws and issues that I had, the ending didn't particularly work for me
I felt that after an entire book of arguing and general unhappiness between patty and Walter, them getting back together was the most depressing thing that could've possibly happened, I mean, I just wanted something good for Walter, after all the shit he went through with Lalitha, he just deserved something good that didn't equate to the resurrection of a doomed marriage!! also patty was very miserable too! her coming back into his life seemed like such a strange move from her I guess??? idk, I might be alone on this one 
but other than that, it was wonderful!! would highly, highly, highly recommend, pls read, good book, v nice.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings