You may have heard from, oh, I don’t know, the Time Magazine cover or the Vogue profile or the rave reviews or the Picoult/Weiner spat or the author video where Franzen says he doesn’t like author videos or the fact that the President of the United States was spotted with it….. anyway, you might have heard that Jonathan Franzen has a new novel out today, his first since The Corrections, and it’s a pretty big deal.
I haven’t yet read Freedom, but from the early reviews this novel is everything that our Internet-manic, high concept craving, supposedly dumbed down culture is not. It “[deconstructs] a family’s history to give us a wide-angled portrait of the country as it rumbled into the materialistic 1990s.” (NY Times) It explores “the unresolved tensions, the messiness of emotion, of love and longing, that possesses even the most willfully ordinary of lives.” (LA Times).
You can’t exactly Tweet a summary of what this book is about. Whether you like Franzen’s books or not (as you can probably tell: I’m a big fan), it’s a novel that punches a gaping hole through the remarkably persistent idea that the publishing industry, and the culture as a whole, is only interested in high concept schlock and the lowest common denominator.
On the other hand, Freedom, in its bigness, in its You Must Read This To Be a Thinking Person in America, is already a novel of the times – the big books getting steadily bigger, accumulating hype with gravitational pull, and then there’s everything else fighting for attention.
We seem to be a culture that is simultaneously craving books that fit our exact specifications at the same time that we want the shared experience of reading something, loving it, and sharing that experience with our friends (virtual and real life). Culture seems to be moving two contradictory ways – fracturing into ever-smaller niches at the same time that it’s coalescing around a few massively popular books and movies. We normally think of the blockbusters in terms of James Patterson, Suzanne Collins, and Stephenie Meyer, but even in literary fiction you have your Freedoms and Oscar Waos.
And in a still further sign of the time, even though Franzen once said of his disdain for novels in e-book form, “Am I fetishizing ink and paper? Sure, and I’m fetishizing truth and integrity too,” Freedom is available for sale as an e-book simultaneously with the hardcover.
What do you think? Will you be reading Freedom?
Nicole MacDonald says
well.. not for a while anyway, I have a VERY long reading list ;p I guess I'll wait for some more reviews..
https://damselinadirtydress.blogspot.com
Giles Hash says
Doesn't sound like the type of book I read… but I break out of those labels quite regularly. Who knows…I might just read it.
Leah Raeder says
Disclaimer: I have yet to read the book. But after watching the FREEDOM media blitz saturate the literary sphere with dizzying ubiquity, I think there's a lot of truth in this comment from an Amazon reviewer:
"I feel this book has mostly been pressed on us rather than standing on its own merits. Indeed it really is a book for our times."
Author Jodi Picoult also has some pertinent comments on the book's media coverage, and its broader implications:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jason-pinter/jodi-picoult-jennifer-weiner-franzen_b_693143.html
treeoflife says
Eventually maybe, but I sure won't go out of my way to read it in the near future.
There's a tiny rebellious side of me that purposely avoids books and movies and such with so much universal hype.
Now, your comment yesterday on Ulysses… that`s put it right up to the top of my to-read list. Those are the kinds of things that help me pick books.
abc says
Well I'm on team Franzen. The Corrections is one of my favorite books and so you can put me in the Will Read column.
There is a lovely Charlie Rose interview with Franzen (before The Corrections) and David Foster Wallace. What nice dining companions they would make, although I'd probably be totally self conscious.
Anonymous says
I loved loved loved the Corrections and I sure as heck will be reading Freedom! I don't mind the marketing juggernaut because it's all in the service of what I expect will be a genuinely wonderful, funny, thoughtful book. But there is something… oh, I don't know, juvenile or silly, maybe, about creating a lot of noise and frenzy around a serious book. It's like a judge showing up in court in a pink fur coat or something. Of course it gets our attention, but she's a judge. She'd get our attention anyway.
Nina says
I must be one of those few people who have never heard of it. It could be because I never watch telly.
Anonymous says
I was let down by The Corrections, so I'd have to hear a lot of good word-of-mouth recommendations from people I know and trust before I'd buy Freedom.
Daisy Harris says
I probably won't read it, but I didn't read the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo either. My brother saw the movie, though. Said it was good.
I prefer trashy-cool to depth-for-the-masses any day.
Anonymous says
I might give it a go. I'm a fan of big novels. I love Curtis Sittenfeld and Michael Chabon. However, I tried to read The Corrections and just couldn't get through it. I hated every single character.
I wonder how much peer pressure stabs into situations like these? People reading it because it the author was on the cover of Time and all that? Also, I wonder if it helps with the whole writer mythology if the author is considered an ass, as some are of Franzen?
D.G. Hudson says
Will I read FREEDOM? Possibly, but then I usually avoid the 'bestsellers'. I'll do my research first and decide. Since you say you're a fan, Nathan, that gives me more reason to check it out.
So I'm a big Maybe, but I do love to read an author that promotes thinking. So I'll probably swing over to the Yes side.
swampfox says
What was it about, again?
Locusts and Wild Honey says
Loved THE CORRECTIONS.
But I find Jonathan Franzen, the person, a little hard to love.
My compromise? I'll read FREEDOM, but I'll do it e-book form.
(I'm teasing. That's not why. I read all books as ebooks.)
Mira says
This reminded me of your post a couple of weeks back about the possible waning of lit fiction.
I think the culture tends to maintain something of a balance, so I'm not surprised that a lit fiction book is making a big splash.
For me – goodness no. I don't read things just because they are popular. I also don't read to think, I read to be entertained. And this may be terrible to say, but the book doesn't sound interesting to me. A 'wide-angled portrait of the materialistic 90s? Uh, no. Definitely not my thing.
Now, throw in some magic, a lost heir to the throne and a troll or two and I'm there. If that's high-concept schlock, then that's MY high-concept schlock. 🙂
one deal a day by Deidre says
I have not yet read this book -but the title of the book sound me interesting,hope to read it quick time.
onefinemess says
Nope.
Maybe I have some kind of brain damage that prevents me from being entertained by things grounded in reality? Either way, *YAWN*.
Rich Dailey says
I give it fifteen minutes.
All I'm interested in is if there will be a Franzen/Oprah death match.
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Rich
Jay says
I think I will skip directly to making fun of everyone who loves the book. Much like the smug Larsson haters.
Seriously, I'll read it eventually but the interviews have given me pause for no other reason than I am growing tired of the breathless "allegory to the awful Bush years" meme. (It will be interesting to see how many novels will be written by writers working through their angst of the disappointing Obama years.) People, please just write and let the reader apply their experiences and figure things out on their own. If you feel like you have to spell it out it might not be as awesome as you think.
MJR says
I'm not dying to read it (I liked, but didn't love, THE CORRECTIONS). Still, I enjoy reading the "big books" that people are talking about so I'll probably read it at some point–maybe take it out of the library etc.
Anonymous says
No. I will not. I'm not saying he's not a brilliant writer (I'm not saying he is either, as I haven't read him) but there's too much evidence to support that he's full of himself and adheres to the literary fiction mentality of "I'm better than you because I wrote this and if you don't 'get it,' then you don't deserve to read my work in the first place."
I also don't read Orson Scott Card because he's a virulent homophobe. I can't bring myself to support the writing career of someone I find distasteful. Not their work, but the person themselves. So I won't say anything bad about their work but I won't be reading them either. I'm quite sure neither of them loses any sleep over the fact.
Ellen says
Definitely. I'm a fan. I loved The Corrections and will probably love Freedom.
(But I still think Weiner and Picoult are right about the NY Times.)
ryan field says
I read and liked The Corrections, so I'll be reading this one, too. And it will be at the top of my list.
But I think I'm going for print with this one.
Ariana Richards says
I haven't read any of the reviews, only the reactions…which I will not comment on one way or the other. But your description of the book makse it sound exactly like the kind of story I enjoy (yes, really). Guess I have something new to pick up this weekend.
Julie20201 says
I probably will not read this book. My reading tastes are very picky these days. A steady diet of science fiction and mysteries. It didn't sound like anybody up and got murdered, so probably not my thing.
Is it a bad thing that most books I read feature a gruesome murder or an over-thrown planetary government?
christine zoe palau says
Just got my copy today! Can't wait for the train ride home. But not so sure about its jacket.
Marilyn Peake says
This sounds like exactly the type of book I love to read. I've been following all the recent uproar about FREEDOM, and loved Franzen’s video. Your summary of where this fits into our culture and how it is the opposite of gimmick, however, has convinced me that I must have this book. Your statement, "…from the early reviews this novel is everything that our Internet-manic, high concept craving, supposedly dumbed down culture is not…" is what did it for me. I will be purchasing a copy of FREEDOM today. Thanks for another fascinating Blog post!
Right now, I’m reading a couple of other books, including TINKERS by Paul Harding, the indie-published book that won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction this year. How cool that, after numerous rejections from the traditional publishing industry and sticking the TINKERS manuscript in a drawer for three years, Paul Harding finally submitted it to an indie press and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. And how cool for Franzen that he can go through traditional publishing channels and have access to all the hoopla and advertising and promotion that goes with that. If we want the publishing industry to take on intelligent books and pour money into those types of books, then we have to buy those types of books and make it worth their while. I think I might just buy several copies of FREEDOM if I like it, to give as gifts. 🙂
I know several authors who have received personal phone calls and emails from literary agents, praising the high quality of their work, but telling them they can’t offer them a contract because they don’t think they can sell their literary manuscripts in today’s market. Hopefully, Franzen’s book, FREEDOM, will change that and give more talented authors the opportunity to succeed.
flibgibbet says
Loved the Corrections, and am currently reading Oscar Wao (and loving every minute of it).
Too much hype does tend to taint the experience sometimes—makes me feel manipulated—-but both of the above are/were certainly deserving of the high praise, especially from peers.
So yep, I look forward to reading Franzen's latest in hardback and adding it to my library.
Happy to read you're a Franzen fan, Nathan. In the best of all possible worlds, good books—-high concept and "other" would share equal room on the shelves.
Anonymous says
So, what would be the two-line "elevator" speech for this book?
Laurel says
Every time Jennifer Weiner opens her mouth, she says something that makes me like her even more. I have only read one or two of her books but they are smart, funny, and engaging. I rather enjoy characters who don't wallow in angst ALL the time and plot threads that don't require a magnifying glass.
Melissa Gill says
Oh man Nathan-
Frankly I do a lot of escapist reading, when I'm not reading in the genre that I write in. This sounds like anything but escapist. I work in a soul sucking job, that's way too much like real life. This book sounds like a big dose of downer.
Plus, I'm not crazy about the idea that "to be considered a thinking person in America you have to read this". That kind of overt manipulation turns me off. If I want to tout my intellectual prowess, I'll read Ulysses.
momnivore says
I loved The Corrections, so I will be reading this book. Due to the crappy economy, I will probably read it at the bookstore, in spurts.
http://www.momnivoresdilemma.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
The problem in the United States is that we hate intellectuals, immediately assuming they think they’re better than us. Unfortunately, even if they have horrible personalities, it’s the intellectuals that move a country forward. Newsweek recently ranked countries for the best place to live. The United States – once considered the best place to live – only placed #11, not even making the top ten. In Education, the United States only came in at #26. Link to online interactive version of the article: The World’s Best Countries.
DCS says
I read the first few pages on Amazon and my reaction was: quite a lot of backstory here and LOTS of telling. Guess there are rules for newbies and not literary lions. I mean, guidelines. There, that's the out. Silly me, thinking there are actually rules about the craft of writing.
Besides, I live in the Twin Cities and when I meet people who live on Ramsey Hill, drive Volvos and read the New York Times, I cross the street.
Anne R. Allen says
The comments here are often as interesting as Nathan's posts.
Marilyn Peake, thanks for the positive thoughts on this subject.
Anon 1:46–I fear you are right and getting righter. There's anti-intellectual fervor going on in the US–fueled by sociopathic corporate/political pitchmen– that's increasingly destructive. People who lie for a living thrive in an environment of nincompoops. I fear more nincompoopery to come.
Duluk says
"in its You Must Read This To Be a Thinking Person in America,"
That's absurd and elitist. Sorry.
You, Nathan, personally may not believe it, but only echoing the hype the book is getting; however, if that is the hype it's getting – it's absurd and elitist. But apparently so is Franzen, so that isn't hard to believe.
John Jack says
Freedom arrived at the library today. By the time I posted a reservation it was backed up to next summer.
Going on the title, promotional copy I've seen, and a general familiarity with Franzen's writing, I'd venture to say the high-concept premise is the complications of freedom in Western society. Now I've got to read it to test my theory.
T. Anne says
I'm having Amazon send a sample to my Kindle. That's why the Kindle's so great. I'll report back if I like it.
Stu Pitt says
In a couple weeks people will start donating copies of FREEDOM to my library's bookstore and I'll pick it up for $2. Should be a good read.
Regarding the book's hype, I'd bet there is a better book out at the moment being completely ignored. Time has a way of making publicity exercises like this look weird.
Marilyn Peake says
I thought this was very generous and kind. Franzen has recommended four books written by other authors: Bestselling author Jonathan Franzen picks 4 new novels that you shouldn’t miss….
Mira says
Annie R Allen,
Hey!
I am NOT a nincompoop.
I just don't like reading lit fiction. I'm still THINK about things. Just not while I'm reading. I think about things when I'm NOT reading.
I do agree that our corporate culture is bordering on the sociopathic, though. That was well put.
mumble, mumble, not a nincompoop, Im' not, mumble, mumble
Kelly Wittmann says
I'm sure I'll eventually get around to it, but I'll wait and pick it up at the library. The hype doesn't really bother me so much, as long as it has the literary substance to back it up, which apparently it does.
Mira says
Oh. I'm not sure you were talking to me.
I'm a bit defensive on this topic.
Mira says
I just think that intelligence and taste in literature are not the same thing.
Let's not make is so personal. This is where literary sorts and commercial sorts really get into it.
Literary ficiton is one avenue to critical and exploratory thought.
But it is not the only avenue.
Okay, I've had my say. Thank you.
G says
Probably not. I usually don't read novels that people are super ga-ga over (no Twilight, Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, to name just a few).
Perhaps in two or three years. The again, still haven't read Harry Potter yet nor seen the movies.
Anne R. Allen says
Mira, I wasn't calling non-literature readers nincompoops!!! (I'm on team Jennifer Weiner myself.)
I was commenting on Anon 1:46's link showing the US is only #26 in the world in education.
Anita Saxena says
After all the hype, I think I'm going to have to read it.
Julia Rachel Barrett says
No. While I have no personal beef with Mr. Franzen, I detest the holier than thou, elitist attitude and narcissism that permeate his work. I've tried to read his books, but he bores me to tears.
Chuck H. says
No.
rachelslessonslearned says
Im not interested in reading it for two reasons:
a) its not my genre (non-urban fantasy Fantasies).
b) Its being hyped. Hype turns me off–thats why I don't like the Superbowl, why I waited YEARS to see The Titanic and why I still to this day couldn't give two figs about Heath Ledger and The Dark Knight.
Any exhortation prefaced with an "OMG THIS IS SO EFFING AWESOME YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE/HEAR/READ/WEAR THIS!" is immediatly answered with an definite NO.
P.Shaw says
Nathan, I love reading your posts.
Please tell me what you mean by "High Concept," as you refer to it in this post.
Maybe it's my cynicism, but I tend to think of high concept as a good thing, and what you allude to I would find a bad thing.