lillibooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
wille44's review against another edition
2.0
The Corrections was a book that I initially enjoyed a great deal, but the more I read the more my admiration eroded, and by the end I was left feeling nothing but distaste for the novel. Initially I wasn't really sure how it happened either. Franzen's prose is compulsively readable, which is no small feat when his subject matter is largely the mundanity and unfulfillment of American middle class life at the turn of the century. He is the most perfect personification of "middlebrow" I have come across yet, which isn't meant as an insult. The Corrections is a literary work that seems very self conscious of how literary exactly it is, taking pains to both flex more ornate sentences and verbiage while simultaneously preserving an easy reading momentum that at times rivals the thriller genre.
Unfortunately this restraint extends to its subject matter. The Corrections purports to be a sweeping critique of the dot com bubble America, specifically the disintegration of the family unit and individual sense of fulfillment of the middle class during this time. However larger scale issues of late stage capitalism, speculative markets, pharmaceutical power, and midcentury values growing untenable are mostly set dressing for Franzen to tell us how many facts and ideas he knows without engaging with them critically or subtextually.
What he does engage deeply with are his characters, who are often held up as the shining success of the book. While the Lambert family is rendered in agonizing detail, complete with neuroses, complexes, and loads of interpersonal strife, Franzen makes it clear throughout his novel that he truly loathes these people. I can recall very few books I've read in which an author has such vitriol for their own characters, his disdain for them drips off every page, and while I'm all for a good story about horrible people Franzen's authorial voice became a highly distracting element for me. The primary emotional driver of the novel, which one would expect to be a skewering of the society and age and problems the characters face, was instead rage towards the characters themselves, a band of miserable ex-midwesterners who resented their lives and each other.
On the whole the novel ended up leaving me cold. It's flow and Franzen's writing style are smooth and well executed, managing to deftly balance easy reading with literary chops. Sadly this balance does not extend to the content of the novel, its themes aren't given much more than an obvious surface level assessment. Paired with a cast of characters written with real loathing, the whole package is one that gives me nothing of value to walk away with, it's ultimately an oddly angry, surprisingly slight work.
Unfortunately this restraint extends to its subject matter. The Corrections purports to be a sweeping critique of the dot com bubble America, specifically the disintegration of the family unit and individual sense of fulfillment of the middle class during this time. However larger scale issues of late stage capitalism, speculative markets, pharmaceutical power, and midcentury values growing untenable are mostly set dressing for Franzen to tell us how many facts and ideas he knows without engaging with them critically or subtextually.
What he does engage deeply with are his characters, who are often held up as the shining success of the book. While the Lambert family is rendered in agonizing detail, complete with neuroses, complexes, and loads of interpersonal strife, Franzen makes it clear throughout his novel that he truly loathes these people. I can recall very few books I've read in which an author has such vitriol for their own characters, his disdain for them drips off every page, and while I'm all for a good story about horrible people Franzen's authorial voice became a highly distracting element for me. The primary emotional driver of the novel, which one would expect to be a skewering of the society and age and problems the characters face, was instead rage towards the characters themselves, a band of miserable ex-midwesterners who resented their lives and each other.
On the whole the novel ended up leaving me cold. It's flow and Franzen's writing style are smooth and well executed, managing to deftly balance easy reading with literary chops. Sadly this balance does not extend to the content of the novel, its themes aren't given much more than an obvious surface level assessment. Paired with a cast of characters written with real loathing, the whole package is one that gives me nothing of value to walk away with, it's ultimately an oddly angry, surprisingly slight work.
laviskrg's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars is not enough for a Jonathan Franzen book. I truly believe that he is the best contemporary author, one of the most impressive minds in our broken, mediocre society. I worship his every word, his every sentence, especially those magical ones that span pages. I am hooked on his commentary on families, American society, politics and humanity in general. It is absolutely unique to read about his collection of horrendously unlikeable characters and be so honestly invested in their every moment. This is literary genius at its finest.
towo87's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kramie's review against another edition
2.0
Story Varys lots bits were good other bits I found a little hard going
marians_'s review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0