mostrengo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
connorgormley's review against another edition
5.0
Comparisons to David Foster Wallace are as unfounded as they are ubiquitous, but franzen’s corrections is nonetheless a stellar piece of work, even if for entirely different reasons than DFW’s doorstop-opus.
It’s a surprisingly conventional novel if you come into it, like I did, weaned on comparisons to DFW’s lexical pyrotechnics - much more focused on character, than plot structure, style or experimentation.
And though I don’t necessarily find that as exciting, there’s no question that it’s deeply moving. This is an irrepressibly human novel, concerned with all the petty, predictable, every day ways in which we are horrible people - to ourselves and each other.
The lamberts, The Correction’s central family, do unforgivable things to each other. But Franzen does what all the best novelists do and finds a way to forgive his characters their humanity, to involve their foibles with their strengths in a manner which, I believe, encourages us all to treat ourselves with a bit more compassion.
It’s a surprisingly conventional novel if you come into it, like I did, weaned on comparisons to DFW’s lexical pyrotechnics - much more focused on character, than plot structure, style or experimentation.
And though I don’t necessarily find that as exciting, there’s no question that it’s deeply moving. This is an irrepressibly human novel, concerned with all the petty, predictable, every day ways in which we are horrible people - to ourselves and each other.
The lamberts, The Correction’s central family, do unforgivable things to each other. But Franzen does what all the best novelists do and finds a way to forgive his characters their humanity, to involve their foibles with their strengths in a manner which, I believe, encourages us all to treat ourselves with a bit more compassion.
septimusmith's review against another edition
2.0
Overrated. Tiring. Exhausting. Too many unnecessary parts. Bye, Mr Franzen!
sbenzell's review against another edition
5.0
I thought the traditional novel - about people living ordinary middle class lives, approached with a keen psychological eye - was dead. Then I read this.
willowchloe's review against another edition
5.0
Quite possibly the greatest book i've ever read. I cannot honestly put a finger on exactly why i'm willing to make such a pronouncement but I will certainly be updating this review as soon as i work it out ;-p.
alexanderjp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sort of just perfect. And what absolutely insane psychological insight. Amazing to me that just through his own sheer knowledge & the perspective shifts throughout, JF makes it feel Homeric in origin, something containing so many eclectic and complex subjects that it must have been a collaborative effort. The whole thing has a designed-by-commitee feel due to the breadth of intellect required to make it, yet maintains a singular voice/prosaic style that, imo, is rivalled only by O. Vuong. This is what total mastery of the English language looks like.
kevindillaerts's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarah2309's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mlklein1's review against another edition
5.0
What can be said, this is one of the most beautifully written books of the century. And no matter how f'd up your family life is...you are well adjusted compared to all these losers.
And I say this, btw, fully hating him for the stunt he pulled with Oprah. Not that I'm a fan of hers, but he was a stinky little ingrate. But he can write.
And I say this, btw, fully hating him for the stunt he pulled with Oprah. Not that I'm a fan of hers, but he was a stinky little ingrate. But he can write.