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.

A great story about a 'not so perfect' family. One that the majority of North American families can relate to on some level. Frazen incredibly brings each character to life. Don't miss out on this one!

The Corrections is indeed a long book and on first look appears to be a harrowing experience. However it comes together nicely and becomes a very quick and satisfying read. It is well worth the time and money spent, the only complaint I could make is that I wish I had waited till the paper back came out so as to save the excess weight of hauling it around. Truly an excellent book, one of the best I've ever read.

I was thoroughly disappointed with this book. I had read excellent positive reviews and the story line attracted my attention. However, my book club just recently read it and we unanimously gave this book the thumbs down. The author's writing style was almost painful with the lengthy run-on sentences, introduction of characters with extensive introduction and background that really had no relevance to the central story, and a conclusion which attempted to quickly sum up the justification for the rest of the novel's activities.

Franzen delivers a terrific book. It could hold a door open, it's true, but every page is worth it. At times disgusting, funny, sad, infuriating, comforting; it never rings false. The book begins in the world of your average American (or Canadian) family, stuck in suburban dysfunction. But this tsunami of writing picks you up, mixes you up and carries you through visions of nasty old men, loser sons, brittle daughters and Edith Bunker moms until you are only left with a clear picture of humanity. Each character is cleanly drawn as they appear to exist from each perspective, at each particular point in the novel. But you don't really know anyone, and perhaps they don't know themselves, until the end. Even then some of them still don't. I was pretty impressed. If you like really good writing, I think you'll like this book.

I was expecting a lot out of this book, and while the story was quite entertaining, and something was always happening in that crazy family, it certainly was long! I was praying that it would be over and done with. If the book had about 200 pages cut from it, I would have given the book 5 stars.

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.

This is a long and drawn out book. I only finished it because I spent too much money on the book and felt that if I didn't finish it, I would be wasting my money. It was disappointing and not worth my time.