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.
bta's review against another edition
reflective
medium-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
3.75
rilkeduino's review against another edition
4.0
Franzen schafft durch die Charaktere der Familie Lambert ein ausschweifendes, teils sehr innehaltendes, melancholisches, teils irre witziges und teils absurdes Gesellschaftsportrait der USA.
In ihrem Distinktionstheater, dem Wunsch, sich selbst durch Abgrenzung zu identifizieren, sind alle Charaktere gleichermaßen abstoßend, haben durchaus auch weitere negative Eigenschaften, doch Franzen gelingt es stets, Ambivalenzen zu erhalten und den Mensch ebenso als Produkt seiner Entscheidungen wie auch in seiner Geworfenheit in das ihn umgebende System darzustellen.
Natürlich ist die Story nicht geradlinig erzählt, aber gerade in ihren Abschweifungen schafft Franzen eigene kleine Kunstwerke, die seiner Gesamterzählung gut tun. Ein großer Familienroman an der Schwelle zum 21. Jahrhundert.
In ihrem Distinktionstheater, dem Wunsch, sich selbst durch Abgrenzung zu identifizieren, sind alle Charaktere gleichermaßen abstoßend, haben durchaus auch weitere negative Eigenschaften, doch Franzen gelingt es stets, Ambivalenzen zu erhalten und den Mensch ebenso als Produkt seiner Entscheidungen wie auch in seiner Geworfenheit in das ihn umgebende System darzustellen.
Natürlich ist die Story nicht geradlinig erzählt, aber gerade in ihren Abschweifungen schafft Franzen eigene kleine Kunstwerke, die seiner Gesamterzählung gut tun. Ein großer Familienroman an der Schwelle zum 21. Jahrhundert.