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Book review: Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

This was a really long book. 

Franzen received lots of attention when Freedom was published back in late 2010, so I put it on my Christmas list. Stacy bought it for me. I read it mainly before bed, about 5 pages at a time due to my tiredness, which probably ruined the momentum of Franzen's writing for me. 

I'm giving it 3 out of 5 because it wasn't as good as everybody said it was. I try to read objectively, but The Corrections (which I would rate 4.5 out of 5, BTW) was simply more fun to read. I spent a huge amount of time on this book and didn't get the payout that I usually get from novels of this length. 

On the plus side, I do still have respect for Franzen's ability to describe, in great detail, the moments and emotions that the characters share. He's obviously an obsessive writer, but I felt a little underwhelmed with this particular novel. 

Favorite intrinsic message: Acting on freedom is more important than having it. Freedom is only as good as what you do with it. 

Favorite scruffy rock star character: Richard Katz

Favorite funny scene: When Walter (the progressive songbird-loving protagonist) tries to persuade his stubborn conservative suburbanite neighbor to keep her house cat indoors. 

PS: I won't blame you for skipping this book, but I do think you should take a few minutes and read TIME's well-written profile of Franzen