By Jonathan Franzen: Freedom: A Novel

by Straus and Giroux- -Farrar

The idyllic lives of civic-minded environmentalists Patty and Walter Berglund come into question when their son moves in with aggressive Republican neighbors, green lawyer Walter takes a job in the coal industry, and go-getter Patty becomes increasingly unstable and enraged.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Elon · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was like listening to someone you just met tell boring stories about their neighborhood, college, and memories from their life that stood out to them but meant nothing to the stranger listening. You didn’t want to be rude and not listen, so you turned the page hoping it would get better or hoping that it would stop and someone else would show up to change the subject or invite you to go somewhere else. I read about 80 pages, skimmed another 80, and had to tell myself it was ok to stop. I always finish books, but couldnt bring myself to read any more of this one. And I feel bad saying all this.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book to about page 400. It has about 600 pages.

By that point, there was nobody in the story to like.

I gave up.

[lita · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring YAWNING.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger warning....just 5 chapters in 600pages!!!!!

[Henry Koelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few of my loved ones are major Oprah fans, so I was hesitant to pick this one up. But, Franzen is a good writer... I'd like to read Crossroads now.

He's very good at writing dialogue. I know that sounds simple, but it's really difficult to write long conversations of modern people without it coming off as corny.

I gave this to Spencer. I wonder if he'll like it?

[Patti Prevost · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t finish this book. 5 days to read 58 pages, with over 500 pages to go, nope not gonna do it. Usually I finish a book no matter what, but after 58 pages I really disliked the main characters or whatever storyline was coming. I just didn’t care enough to even try to complete.

[Alan Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

franzen aims for profundity and lands among breezy pop fiction

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the honesty in this novel.


I didn't like the unnecessary descriptions.

[George Cahlink]

Signed first

[Holly Krull · Rating 4 out of 5]

Idk man the character driven story is cool but I always feel like Franzen kinda lets his mind wander about halfway through his works