Sign Up | Log In

Write a Review
Post a Quick Tip
Create a List
Ask a Question
Create a Poll
Create a Community

Movies •Books •Music •Food •Tv Shows •Technology •Politics •Video Games •Parenting •Fashion •Green Living •more >

Lunch » Tags » Books » Reviews » Freedom: A Novel

Freedom: A Novel

18 Ratings: 3.2

A book by Jonathan Franzen

"Freedom" is Oprah Winfrey's 64th pick for September and places Franzen in a special category: The rare author to have more than one book in her club, the first being "The Corrections" back in 2001. … see full wiki

Tags: Books, Cafe Libri, Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Jonathan Franzen

Author: Jonathan Franzen

Genre: Literature & Fiction

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Date Published: August 31, 2010

8 reviews about Freedom: A Novel

Showing 1-8 of 8

Sort by:

review by gaelstat. September 09, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

"Freedom" may not be the great American novel, but it is a very good one.

I read "Freedom" in two days over the Labor Day weekend. I've structured this review in two parts - impressions that I jotted down while reading it, with a few paragraphs that try to provide a synthesis Scattered observations: *Writers probably can't ever ditch certain fundamental aspects of their style. With David Foster Wallace it's the slightly manic, ever-looping association of ideas as his brain connects his current thought … more

Comments (2) Compliments (41)

review by JenKnox. October 04, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

How many different ways can a person question the definition of freedom?

Freedom has the two-and-a-half-dimensional feel of reality television. I enjoy reading it, but I'm not convinced that any of the characters (especially Patty) is really so good at taking punches. I read this book as I might Greek mythology. Franzen the jovial God, getting kicks out of kicking his characters but never quite believing any of them could ever really exist. I don't believe any of them could exist either, but then again, who cares? It's definitely … more

Comment Compliments (18)

Quick Tip by BettiePageTurner. February 09, 2011

posted in Cage

A Quick Tip by BettiePageTurner

I'm just not a Franzen fan. This is my second attempt and I can't find a toehold in his work. Am I the only one??

Comment Compliments (2)

review by KerryHLW. February 10, 2011

posted in Cage

Firmly Middlebrow Entertainment

Too many of the pivotal scenes in Freedom have a ridiculousness to them. They are just real enough that the characters seem in earnest, but sufficiently unreal that they seem to be part of a joke. The book is infused with politics, but Freedom is never clear in revealing whether Franzen is trying to parody or to portray “intellectual” lefties who bungle basic economic ideas. Nor can I tell whether he is aiming for reality or satire with his “greedy” righties. The politics … more

Comment Compliment

review by Glanafosha. August 31, 2010

"Success at sports is the province of the almost empty head."

I will avoid the plot review, because so many others seem compelled to summarize, and the repetition becomes tiresome. I enjoyed this novel, and I think you will too. I gave it four stars because it is not perfect, but it is better than most current fiction. Franzen may be a "serious" writer, but he is also highly readable, with an interesting story that can be enjoyed for itself alone, absent any considerations of literary aspirations. This is a big, rambling tale of modern … more

Comment Compliments (9)

review by RobertYokoyama. October 04, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Freedom is a good book, but it is not perfect.

Freedom is a big book. I liked it, but it is not perfect. Jonathan Franzen presents characters in difficult relationships. I developed an empathy for these characters reading this book. There is relationship between a husband and wife. There is another relationship between a father and a son. There is a relationship between a mother and her children. There is also a rivalry between friends in this novel. These relationships are interesting to read, particularly the relationship … more

Comment Compliments (3)

review by Gail_Cooke. October 19, 2010

FREEDOM IS NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN - AUDIO REVIEW

Well remembered for his masterful readings of such titles as "Water For Elephants" and "The Second Horseman," David Ledoux gives a praiseworthy narration of FREEDOM, a story in which he's required to portray many characters. As has been said, "His voice inhabits the characters' psyches, sharing their loves, fears, and anxieties. Ledoux gives a vibrant performance, imbuing each character with a unique voice and tone." How true! The winner of two AudioFile Earphones … more

Comments (1) Compliment

review by Lynn_Harnett. September 16, 2010

posted in Cafe Libri: Reviewing Books & More

Franzen's wit keeps hope alive in the USA

Franzen's long-awaited fourth novel - it's been nine years since his National Book Award winning The Corrections - stands up to the anticipation. Mining similar territory - educated middle-class dysfunctional families - at pretty much the same length, Franzen uses his acerbic wit, unsparing insight, and deep sympathy to draw the reader into the fraught lives of his characters. The book opens with an introductory portrait of the Berglunds, Patty and Walter; a summation of their … more

Comment Compliment

What's your opinion on Freedom: A Novel?

rate