tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post2510250703240498735..comments2024-03-27T05:13:25.241-05:00Comments on The New Dork Review of Books: Franzen and Freedom and One Effed Up Family: A ReviewGreg Zimmermanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-59139216824605951792013-11-09T22:23:14.807-06:002013-11-09T22:23:14.807-06:00I am speechless. This book was amazing & aweso...I am speechless. This book was amazing & awesome. one of the best books I have ever read in my life .<br /><br />Grace Crawford <a href="http://www.helpmykneepain.com/knee-doctor-plano-cold-laser-therapy.htm" rel="nofollow">DFW Spine & Joint Center Cold Laser Therapy For Knees</a>Irene Jenningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03603959953431879572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-60763264109846431742010-11-25T16:04:33.624-06:002010-11-25T16:04:33.624-06:00Great review! I have to agree with just about ever...Great review! I have to agree with just about everything you said here. I didn't love the title either, but loved just about everything else.Leslie @ This is the Refrainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18027804132268043518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-63785497795564147012010-10-03T10:14:34.368-05:002010-10-03T10:14:34.368-05:00Just finished the book, and I happen to think it i...Just finished the book, and I happen to think it is so awesome. And so is your review. <br />There is something about the imperfect Berglunds that is weirdly endearing!BookQuoterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13033467542826463255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-35366701242001000132010-09-25T22:05:32.329-05:002010-09-25T22:05:32.329-05:00Thanks for posting this review and linking up to t...Thanks for posting this review and linking up to the party. After Oprah's announcement, I wasn't sure if it would live up to the hype. After reading your review, I am going to buy it for sure.<br /><br />Thanks-CYMAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309599697220709226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-50713082990361291862010-09-23T17:53:38.476-05:002010-09-23T17:53:38.476-05:00I finally posted my review! http://bit.ly/bVigAp c...I finally posted my review! http://bit.ly/bVigAp check it out if you want. I linked back to the New Dork Review of books.IngridLolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079137600900264656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-25982751719415021802010-09-23T08:22:14.732-05:002010-09-23T08:22:14.732-05:00This book was just mailed to me from Powell's ...This book was just mailed to me from Powell's (The Indiespensable program) -- so I'll be back to comment after I've read it!NancyOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12027036137062767840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-52280583257903931542010-09-22T13:06:57.755-05:002010-09-22T13:06:57.755-05:00Hi Greg,
I figured I would finally retire my &qu...Hi Greg, <br /><br />I figured I would finally retire my "lurker" cap and chime in. <br /><br />I just finished reading this about a half an hour ago and while I am typically loathe to ascribe the word masterpiece to a book before fully digesting it, this one is sitting on the fence and will likely fall into that category easily for me. Although it has been 9 years since I've read "The Corrections", I'd say that "Freedom" is even better. <br /><br />Like you, I have a minor quibble with the title but it's more of the "every time I look at the book, think about the book or tell people what I'm reading I immediately start singing George Michael in my head" variety. <br /><br />Cheers!Michelehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07336942223479641888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-58643147126416287192010-09-22T09:01:02.650-05:002010-09-22T09:01:02.650-05:00@ladyT - I would agree - I've been joking this...@ladyT - I would agree - I've been joking this is the literary version of Harry Potter in that, many people will read it because they love Franzen, and a lot will read it just so they can trash it.<br /><br />@brizmus - Thanks! Yeah, while the focus of the story is the romance of Walter and Patty and their relationship to Richard, the Berglund kids Joey and Jessica provide a nice fresh breath of youth to the story - especially Joey. A good read for all ages. ;)<br /><br />@Pradfoot - Part of me wonders if this Oprah thing isn't some sort of ploy - a fake olive branch - to get Franzen to come on her show and then tie him down and beat him on camera with The Corrections.<br /><br />@Katie - Glad you're loving it. If you go by the amazon reviews, opinions vary widely. But I haven't talked with anyone who hasn't really liked it. You're right, it is VERY readable.Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-77388997752919476262010-09-21T14:53:49.454-05:002010-09-21T14:53:49.454-05:00I was really skeptical about this book, but I thou...I was really skeptical about this book, but I thought the praise must be coming from somewhere, so I decided to make it my next read. I started it late Sunday night, and I'm currently about 25% in (according to my handy dandy Kindle). I am seriously impressed. I had no idea how simply readable this book would be, especially given all of the adjectives used to describe the author. "Genius" was one that made me the most hesitant about the book, because I was afraid I wouldn't understand his writing, and the whole thing would just go over my head. No so at all, and I can't wait to read more!Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08986037474152101242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-4745519250277097022010-09-21T09:53:52.340-05:002010-09-21T09:53:52.340-05:00God this sounds so good. Can't wait to get my ...God this sounds so good. Can't wait to get my BROKKEE hands on it. If only Oprah's big premier surprise was giving away a copy to everyone in America. Le sigh. Great review!The Great Catsbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09436410858315526506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-11543356797255816162010-09-19T02:03:16.423-05:002010-09-19T02:03:16.423-05:00Beautiful review - I guess I'm going to have t...Beautiful review - I guess I'm going to have to read it. Maybe it's odd, but with a title about Freedom, I didn't really expect it to explore freedom all that much (like with you, because of that, I think the title will slightly annoy me once I've read it), but it sounds like a beautifully written beautiful story that could easily impact the majority of 20 somethings today.brizmushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18163313230550265190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-84582374590758142282010-09-17T14:02:22.618-05:002010-09-17T14:02:22.618-05:00Glad you like the book,Greg-I gave your review a b...Glad you like the book,Greg-I gave your review a bit of linkage in my post today regarding Freedom as the new Oprah selection(not so surprising,if you think about it)and hope that others enjoy it as much as you did.<br /><br /> I don't think I'll be getting to it any time soon but anything that encourages reading in the media is a blessing,imo.lady thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16287907577241697874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-20890628560748082012010-09-17T09:29:19.404-05:002010-09-17T09:29:19.404-05:00@Jeanne - I will certainly concede he seems to wri...@Jeanne - I will certainly concede he seems to write with a pretty definitive male slant. There's a lot of testosterone bubbling below these pages, but I do think Patty's character - and the fact that parts of the story are told as her autobiography - is something women will definitely enjoy. And thanks for linking to my review! <br /><br />@Buried - Yep, same case in Freedom - the pages practically turn themselves, and you have to pinch yourself that you're reading literary fiction, not James Patterson.<br /><br />@Reviewsbylola - I think you should!<br /><br />@Paul - Thank you for the kind words. And to be clear, I wasn't necessarily suggesting 500 pages at the END of the story - more like, 500 pages interspersed throughout the novel to expand on some of the summary "scenes." Ya know?<br /><br />@Bibliophile - Hope you enjoy it!<br /><br />@Creations - Thanks for stopping by. (Did you find me on today's hop? If so, that's strange...)<br /><br />@S.Krishna - Ha - another "boo Oprah" vote. I'd gently suggest that this is a great novel before Oprah jumped on its bandwagon. Give it a try!Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-82751325360049625062010-09-17T09:23:44.644-05:002010-09-17T09:23:44.644-05:00I linked to your review as "the male view&quo...I linked to your review as "the male view" on this novel! Here's mine: http://necromancyneverpays.blogspot.com/2010/09/freedom.htmlJeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-28310168325492044162010-09-17T08:49:18.243-05:002010-09-17T08:49:18.243-05:00Thanks for this review. After the whole Oprah thin...Thanks for this review. After the whole Oprah thing, I may put off reading this book for a LONG time, but I'm glad it's worth reading!S. Krishnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10268527069548216054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-67068947414364442352010-09-17T07:39:51.341-05:002010-09-17T07:39:51.341-05:00I have this book sitting on my shelf right now! I...I have this book sitting on my shelf right now! I did enjoy The Corrections, in spite of all the Oprah brouhaha. <br /><br />I stopped by here today for the Blogger Hop, but I'm delighted to have read your review of Freedom.<br /><br />Here's my hop:<br /><br />http://curlupandread.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/book-blogger-hop-sept-17-20/Laurel-Rain Snowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00101090217639410913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-28341064250620819472010-09-17T05:48:51.610-05:002010-09-17T05:48:51.610-05:00Excellent! So happy to read your favorable review....Excellent! So happy to read your favorable review. I do want to read this one as well.(Diane) Bibliophile By the Seahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10519875632878992728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-77542082556465211112010-09-16T21:32:35.515-05:002010-09-16T21:32:35.515-05:00One of the best reviews I've read for this boo...One of the best reviews I've read for this book. I hope I get the feeling I'll feel like I could read another 500 pages of the story even after I've finished.Paul McQuistonhttp://rarelydusty.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-85337078605718049222010-09-16T16:25:17.473-05:002010-09-16T16:25:17.473-05:00I really wasn't a big fan of The Corrections s...I really wasn't a big fan of The Corrections so I haven't decided yet if I will be picking this one up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-48692767434019620812010-09-16T15:20:20.218-05:002010-09-16T15:20:20.218-05:00I really enjoyed your review; that sounds so simil...I really enjoyed your review; that sounds so similar to my experience of reading <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/wbc" rel="nofollow"><i>The Corrections</i></a>. I just finished it this weekend, with an eye to reading <i>Freedom</i> next, and I was shocked by how quickly it read. Makes me wonder why I postponed reading it in the first place, as the pages turned more quickly in it than in some novels a quarter of the size. Great prose!Buried In Printhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00808249065026802365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-38408833421728131322010-09-16T15:20:15.907-05:002010-09-16T15:20:15.907-05:00As I suspected, you liked this book a little bette...As I suspected, you liked this book a little better than I did, and that makes sense, because one of Franzen's objections to the Oprah pick the first time (for The Corrections) was that he didn't want the book to get a reputation as a book for women. I think he's an accessible novelist who writes a little more for men, and that's rare these days. <br /><br />I'll elaborate on this tomorrow at NNP.Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-68459372331340439032010-09-16T13:48:55.589-05:002010-09-16T13:48:55.589-05:00@Patrick - Yeah, it seemed a little too cliche to ...@Patrick - Yeah, it seemed a little too cliche to say "if you liked The Corrections, you'll love Freedom." That's surely the case, though. And Philip Roth is the only other writer who comes to mind as writing relationships as well as Franzen - but Roth's are a little, um, different.<br /><br />@IngridLola - Ah, yeah - that's a great one too. So many to choose from! Hope you enjoy the rest - looking forward to hearing your take on it! <br /><br />@Kerry - Ha - another "boo Oprah" vote. I like it! <br /><br />@Sandy - Yeah, I definitely flew through it - you can't help but reading huge chunks at a time because Franzen's sections are often 50-70 pages, and you don't want to stop while you're in the midst of a particular chunk. Yeah, it is a lot like The Corrections in that several hundred more pages would've been great!Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-43130367178595327742010-09-16T13:40:26.692-05:002010-09-16T13:40:26.692-05:00@Julie - Thanks - it definitely didn't suck!
...@Julie - Thanks - it definitely didn't suck!<br /><br />@Brenna - I did read The Corrections, but I read it nine years ago right after it came out, which means there's too much time between to be able to say which is better. Put it this way: They're both very good.<br /><br />@Jenny - Yeah, I feel lucky to have gotten a copy before the stank of the Oprah sticker tarnishes it. ;)<br /><br />@Joel - Yep, clearly a case of Oprah jumping on the bandwagon. Or, maybe, she's offering an olive branch for the fiasco last time she picked a Franzen novel.Greg Zimmermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08122230426442946518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-77609773838128654132010-09-16T13:02:41.644-05:002010-09-16T13:02:41.644-05:00People are either hot or cold on Franzen. I happe...People are either hot or cold on Franzen. I happened to love The Corrections and all of that fat mess of a family. I normally will hesitate with the big chunksters, but I flew through it and could have used a little more. I imagine I would find it to be the same with Freedom. Hmmm...I wonder if it is on audio???Sandy Nawrothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00564390728106776030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5060047013304842896.post-57002221090883054192010-09-16T12:24:07.762-05:002010-09-16T12:24:07.762-05:00Great review. I'm ashamed to say I still haven...Great review. I'm ashamed to say I still haven't read Corrections, though with all the buzz surrounding Freedom, I'll have to pick it up soon. It stares at me from my shelf every day. I just hope (like Jenny) I can scare up a copy of Freedom before they put the Oprah sticker on it, if it really is her pick.Kerryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17595812677247405225noreply@blogger.com