Continuing my trek through the NYTimes Best Books of the 21st Century list, I intended to buy a second-hand copy of The Corrections by Franzen but ended up with Freedom instead. From what I gathered, it seems the two are quite similar, with The Corrections being more “satirical” while Freedom seems more like a soap opera.
It’s funny, the book was simultaneously relatable and alienating at the same time. So much of the novel revolved around midlife crises, sexual frustrations, and societal angst that had no hold on me. Yet, at other times, it would discuss family dynamics and political frustrations which resonated quite deeply.
The book centered around a single family, Patty and Walter, who both grew up as the odd ones out in broken (in their own ways) families. They eventually meet in college, and through this relationship, Franzen brings in many supporting characters: their son (and daughter), whom Patty dotes on too much, which drove him away; Walter’s best friend, who complicates things with Patty; and a young, attractive woman whom Walter works with later in life when his marriage with Patty is on the rocks.
By switching the point of view four or so times in the novel, we get an interesting take on the events. For large parts, the novel was supposedly “Patty’s Journal,” where she detailed her, frankly confusing, motivations. When it was appropriate, we switched to Walt (and sometimes their son).
The story is expansive, yet also has a slightly meaningless ending.
But isn’t the journey the point?