💡 Jonathan Franzen’s 2010 modern classic, Freedom, makes a case for The Great American Novel. Following the success of his 2001 novel, The Corrections, Franzen’s Freedom was met with similar widespread acclaim and was hailed by some critics as “the Great American Novel.” This contemporary work provides an astonishing portrayal of American life in all its absurdities and complexities, calling into question the very notion of American freedom.

Trouble in suburban paradise: Franzen drops us into Ramsey Hill in St. Paul, Minnesota, where we meet the Berglund family. A vivid, crowded picture of a gossipy, judgmental neighborhood comes into focus, with Patty, her husband Walter Berglund, and their children Jessica and Joey at its center. Patty stands out as a talk-of-the-town presence, an ideal neighbor who is friendly with everyone but has no real friends.

Franzen introduces his characters in small, gossip-laden vignettes — brief, witty, vivid portraits. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that none of them is meant to be particularly likable — nor are we meant to root for any of them. Everyone in Ramsey Hill holds opposing views, is affiliated with different political groups, and seems self-absorbed. Certain figures receive page-long tirades, and those most entangled with the Berglunds appear more frequently and more critically in the community’s chatter.

As the Berglunds pursue freedom — or the illusion of it — they make terrible choices, harming themselves and others. The novel is engrossing — somewhat hefty, but it flies by thanks to its bustling pace and expansive range. You’ll be surprised by how relatable it feels, and by how Franzen dismantles the ideal picture of America.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can get the eBook on Amazon and Kobo.

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