Play Book Tag discussion

Oh how I loved this book. If I had read a print copy I would have clutched it to my chest when I finished it. This is the third Franzen novel I have read (the usual suspects, Freedom and The Corrections, being the other two) and this may be my favourite of the three. A bold statement, and it is fresh and raw, but oh how I loved it. I did read The Corrections many a year ago, when it was first published, and reading Purity has made me want to go back and read it again for comparisons sake, so I can really say which was my favourite of the three.

I don't want to leave a synopsis as I believe the less you know about Franzen novels going in the better. Hype can really kill the experience of reading an epic novel. I will say that, as with his other novels, it is not for everyone. He peppers his writing with a lot of social commentary and that might not be your cup of tea. I love it.

His writing is very character driven rather than plot driven, another negative for some, although I did feel as though Purity had a solid plot. He has a masterful way of deconstructing people and then putting them back together. Many reviewers have mentioned that they didn't find anything likeable about any of the characters, but I certainly did. There have been critics of his writing who have said that his characters are way too flawed, but I feel as though he is making a comment that all of us, when you scratch the surface, have flaws. He exposes those flaws in his characters, but to me that doesn't make them unlikeable, just human. The more flawed, the more fascinating for me in Purity!

I had that thing when I was reading this that I wanted to power through it as fast as possible, but at the same time I wanted to be measured in my reading to make it last. If you have liked any of Franzen's previous novels I suggest you give this a go. I don't know why I waited so long but I am so glad that I finally got to it. I read it this week as I am going to see him speak in a few days. I can't wait now! I hear he is a jerk and I am intrigued. I'll report back!

I am so glad you liked this! It will likely be in my top 10 this year and I have been highly recommending it to certain readers.

I am interested in hearing what you think after hearing him speak! I have also heard that he is a total asshat, which I can totally see from his writing, but I don't know that I particularly care when he writes books like he does...

Susie, you have methinking about changing the Franzen on my TBR to Purity (have already read Correction).

I'm scared to recommend it Denizen! I hope you like it. *fingers crossed*

I haven't read anything by Franzen, but he was on jeopardy this past week as a "power player" and I wasn't super impressed with him. I've heard great things about his work- this one in particular but he didn't seem super articulate- and didn't get a lot of the literary questions right. Maybe I'm prematurely judging. Seeing him didn't really make me want to pick up his books.

I can't decide if I'll love or hate it by yours and Nicole's reviews (I went back and read hers again too). I think I will have a strong opinion one way though. I'm often annoyed by books that are longer than they need to be to tell the story and it seems like the author just really likes the sound of their own voice (The Queen of the Night I'm looking at you...). The 576 pages in this book makes me wonder. And I know Nicole and I have differing opinions on that book.

Joi wrote: "I haven't read anything by Franzen, but he was on jeopardy this past week as a "power player" and I wasn't super impressed with him. I've heard great things about his work- this one in particular b..."
I think this is hilarious.

Jennifer wrote: "I can't decide if I'll love or hate it by yours and Nicole's reviews (I went back and read hers again too). I think I will have a strong opinion one way though. I'm often annoyed by books that are ..."

I still getting a sense of your tastes and I would guess that Franzwn would not be the type of author you would like. Similarly, from what I've seen Joi review, I doubt she would like his books either.

Jen wrote: "I still getting a sense of your tastes and I would guess that Franzwn would not be the type of author you would like. Similarly, from what I've seen Joi review, I doubt she would like his books either. "

I think you are right, I've also decided I'm not afraid to quit books after a chapter if I hate them.

It feels a little like Fates and Furies from these reviews, which I loved. I have a problem with people (not just authors) who are smart and really have to show you how smart they are all the time compared to people who are smart and you just know it. I don't need to be beaten over the head with a stick with your vocabulary and elaborate imagery unless it's necessary to tell the story (and sometimes it is!).

Jen wrote: "Similarly, from what I've seen Joi review, I doubt she would like his books either. ."

Interesting!! That makes me super curious to see if I would like it or not. I went and read the synopsis, and parts of it sound really interesting to me- girl in search of her unknown father, weird group that seems cult-ish drawing her in, weird man becoming obsessed with her, murder, whatnot. But I'm not super interested in German peace activists, and from what I heard it seems a little preachy to me.

Joi wrote: "Jen wrote: "Similarly, from what I've seen Joi review, I doubt she would like his books either. ."

Interesting!! That makes me super curious to see if I would like it or not. I went and read the s..."

I haven't read this one yet but was referring more to his style and sorts of books. I hope you do read it and end up loving it :)