I'm so glad I came across this video. Franzen is a true literary genius but I was stumped by the lack of a change of voice in Patty's autobiography and wasn't sure if it was only me. I felt there was not enough evidence in the story to suggest she possessed the kind of writing acumen needed to produce that sort of work. Perhaps an oversight by Franzen? Or could it be that he wanted Patty to come across as having real literary talent?
Freedom is maddeningly uneven. Franzen's portrayal of Katz is sometimes painfully embarassing [ calling his alt country band 'Walnut Surprise'] and the lyrics Franzen concocts for him are still worse. Patty Berglund is the most well developed character, her errant son the weakest. There are a number of brilliant turns of phrase as well as some very pedestrian writing. Denis Johnson is the best of our younger novelists and Roth remains the master of American fiction, followed closely by McCarthy
@molloyxx1 Although I agree with your take on Katz' lyrics, I thought many of the characters were very strong. Walter was deffinitley an interesting voice, as was Joey. I actually found Patty to be the most boring of the characters, especially after her college years. I also think it's wrong to just bundle Roth and Franzen together in the same group, simply because they are American. Their writing is so different, on so many levels, it's apples to oranges.
I'm so glad I came across this video. Franzen is a true literary genius but I was stumped by the lack of a change of voice in Patty's autobiography and wasn't sure if it was only me. I felt there was not enough evidence in the story to suggest she possessed the kind of writing acumen needed to produce that sort of work. Perhaps an oversight by Franzen? Or could it be that he wanted Patty to come across as having real literary talent?
PLOttawa 2 months ago
Freedom is maddeningly uneven. Franzen's portrayal of Katz is sometimes painfully embarassing [ calling his alt country band 'Walnut Surprise'] and the lyrics Franzen concocts for him are still worse. Patty Berglund is the most well developed character, her errant son the weakest. There are a number of brilliant turns of phrase as well as some very pedestrian writing. Denis Johnson is the best of our younger novelists and Roth remains the master of American fiction, followed closely by McCarthy
molloyxx1 7 months ago
@molloyxx1 Although I agree with your take on Katz' lyrics, I thought many of the characters were very strong. Walter was deffinitley an interesting voice, as was Joey. I actually found Patty to be the most boring of the characters, especially after her college years. I also think it's wrong to just bundle Roth and Franzen together in the same group, simply because they are American. Their writing is so different, on so many levels, it's apples to oranges.
dogman652 4 months ago
Great bookshelf!
pesahson 7 months ago
beanie babies! totally hip!
maggiemouse6464 8 months ago