Corrections

Time magazine named Jonathan Franzen's The Corrections in their top 100 novels of all time, and now after reading it I can definitely see why. Franzen writes the Lambert family in such a way that they seem so quirky and odd -- yet so totally normal at the same time. I think we can all relate to this book somehow and I believe after reading it people will appreciate the themes and social criticism evoked in the text.

While The Corrections may seem a bit intimidating (624 pages) to some, it won't take very long to read if you can get into the novel (I finished in a little under a week and a half). Franzen's diction within The Corrections is so readable and fun, I'm sure most will appreciate it like I did. However, some may be put off by some parts of the novel as it kind of gets bogged down in scientific terminology -- but not enough to make it a huge complaint on my part; I even enjoyed some of these parts.

Franzen's ostentatious comments after the novel's publication -- which I personally find repugnant -- aside, The Corrections is a witty, hilarious, and heart-breaking novel. It's not something everyone will enjoy, but you have to read it.

Am I the only person who had trouble with this book? The family dysfunction was searing and amusing, but otherwise I found the writing laborious and trying. There were times I was straight bored and had to put the book down for days. I also found the talk of stocks/investing and the very lengthy scientific tangents only confused and did not forward or enhance the story. I know this book was a massive hit, so I accept perhaps it's my literary or academic limitations that have prevented me from understanding a truly genius work. Any comments?

A truly searing indictment of the greedy 90's era. Filled with memorable characters, flaws and all. At turns brutally humourous and brutally sad. The dysfunctional family in all its glory! Brilliantly witty.

Although I could appreciate that the book was well written, and enjoyed the author's writing style, I found all of the characters to be totally unsympathetic. I found it rough going since I didn't really care what happened to any of them.