Jonathan Franzen

Easton Press Jonathan Franzen books

The Corrections - signed modern classic - 2007

 

Author Jonathan Franzen

Jonathan Franzen is an acclaimed American author known for his insightful and often complex explorations of contemporary American life. He was born on August 17, 1959, in Western Springs, Illinois. Raised in a middle-class family, Franzen developed an early passion for literature and writing. He attended Swarthmore College, where he studied German and philosophy, and later pursued graduate studies at the Freie Universität Berlin. Franzen gained widespread recognition with the publication of his third novel, The Corrections, in 2001. The novel, a family saga that delves into the complexities of relationships and the impact of societal changes on individuals, received widespread critical acclaim. It won the National Book Award for Fiction and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and keen observations, Franzen's writing often tackles themes such as family dynamics, the impact of technology on society, and the struggle for personal identity. His novels are characterized by a mix of wit, humor, and a deep exploration of human nature.

In addition to The Corrections, Franzen has written several other highly regarded works, including Freedom (2010) and Purity (2015). Freedom further solidified his reputation as a literary heavyweight, exploring themes of politics, environmentalism, and the complexities of personal freedom. Franzen has been a vocal advocate for the importance of literature and the role of the writer in society. However, he has also faced controversy, particularly for his outspoken views on technology and social media.

Beyond his novels, Franzen is an accomplished essayist, with his non-fiction work often appearing in prestigious publications such as The New Yorker and Harper's Magazine. His essay collection, How to Be Alone (2002), showcases his ability to dissect contemporary issues with intelligence and insight. Jonathan Franzen remains a significant figure in American literature, contributing thought-provoking works that capture the essence of modern society while delving into the intricacies of human relationships and individual struggles.

 

The Corrections

The Corrections is a grandly entertaining novel for the new century and a comic, tragic masterpiece about a family breaking down in an age of easy fixes.
After almost fifty years as a wife and mother, Enid Lambert is ready to have some fun. Unfortunately, her husband, Alfred, is losing his sanity to Parkinson's disease, and their children have long since flown the family nest to the catastrophes of their own lives. The oldest, Gary, a once-stable portfolio manager and family man, is trying to convince his wife and himself, despite clear signs to the contrary, that he is not clinically depressed. The middle child, Chip, has lost his seemingly secure academic job and is failing spectacularly at his new line of work. And Denise, the youngest, has escaped a disastrous marriage only to pour her youth and beauty down the drain of an affair with a married man - or so her mother fears. Desperate for some pleasure to look forward to, Enid has set her heart on an elusive goal: bringing her family together for one last Christmas at home.
Stretching from the Midwest at mid-century to the Wall Street and Eastern Europe of today, "The Corrections" brings an old-fashioned world of civic virtue and sexual inhibitions into violent collision with the era of home surveillance, hands-off parenting, do-it-yourself mental healthcare, and globalised greed. Richly realistic, darkly hilarious, deeply humane, it confirms Jonathan Franzen as one of our most brilliant interpreters of American society and the American soul.

A comic, tragic epic stretching from the Midwest of the Mid-century to the Wall Street and Easter Europe of today, The Corrections brings and old-fashioned world of civic virtue and sexual inhibitions into violent collision with the era of home surveillance, hands-off parenting, do-it-yourself mental health care, and globalized greed.

After almost fifty years as a wife and mother, Enid is ready to have some fun. Unfortunately, her husband, Alfred, is losing his sanity to Parkinson's disease, and their children have long since flown the family nest to the catastrophes of their own lives. Desperate for some pleasure to look forward to, Enid has set her heart on bringing the family together for one last Christmas at home.