Books - Jonathan Franzen: Freedom

Author: Jonathan Franzen
Title: Freedom
Published: August 31st, 2010
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Jonathan Franzen; Freedom. The novel on the tip of everyone's tongue. The American writer has been heralded as one of the finest of the 21st century, which does seem like a bit of a sweeping statement. However, to those who hit the novels regularly, how much current material do you actually read? I for one don't delve into all that many current releases, as I'm too busy catching up on past gems and masterpieces alike. Like a lot of you, I'm sure.

With this qualification - or lack thereof - I'm not one to swing one way or the other to such a statement. However, those who put Franzen on the proverbial pedestal above his modern contemporaries may not be so wrong after all. The quality that Freedom delivers is quite evident. The characters are unique in their own right; the story in itself holds a deep relevance in today's society; and last but not least, it's extremely addictive for the reader. Franzen certainly knows how to tap into the vein of modern western culture, with various references throughout the journey pointing towards an obvious nexus of being 'down with the kids'.

The characters throughout Freedom are the clincher. They're shaped with aplomb. With a bridge in generations and a contrasting social demographic between them,  they have extremeley admiring facets, with Franzen making a clear distinction between admiring and liking somebody and how different these two feelings can truly be.   

Although Freedom is my first Franzen experience, it's evident that he demonstrates a vast knowledge on American suburban life. He seems to pick apart the stock standard American film on such a subject that you manage to see on television at least twice a week and articulates the notions to an absolute tee. Maybe his biggest message with Freedom is how anybody can be sucked into this way of life.

I've read that people have been critical of his works because his topics don't seem to venture all that far outside of his own labyrinth. Is it better knowing something well or only having a surface of knowledge on a wide array of issues and concepts? Tough one, but if people want to aim up and call Franzen a one trick pony the simple answer would this; It's a pretty special trick at that.

Words by Simon K.