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Howard's Reviews > The Corrections
The Corrections
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by
Howard's review
bookshelves: fiction, family, family-dysfunction, national-book-award, reviewed
Jun 10, 2014
bookshelves: fiction, family, family-dysfunction, national-book-award, reviewed
The critics loved The Corrections. Published in 2001, it won the National Book Award for fiction for that year and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize a year later. It also won or was nominated for a number of other prestigious literary prizes.
David Gates wrote in his glowing review in the New York Times that the book had “just enough novel-of-paranoia touches so Oprah won’t assign it and ruin Franzen’s street cred.”
Wrong, David. Oprah not only chose it for her book club but went so far as to proclaim it “the great American novel.” Franzen, who recognized that his book’s selection by Oprah meant that sales would sharply increase, was nevertheless ambivalent about the situation because he believed that heretofore her selections had been on the “schmaltzy” side. Consequently, when he voiced his feelings in several interviews Oprah withdrew her invitation to have him as a guest on her show (And the dust cover of my hardback copy does not feature her stamp of approval, which had been embossed on earlier copies of the book.). Of course, the publicity engendered by the tempest in a teapot may have had as much of a positive impact on sales as his appearance on her show would have had. But perhaps he did salvage his “street cred.” I hope so.
So how is it that I would give such a heralded book two out of five stars? I’ll answer that, but first here is another quote from David Gates’ review: “If you don’t end up liking each one of Franzen’s people, you probably just don’t like people.”
My answer for the two stars is I didn’t like any of the people. I didn’t like the father, the mother (I did feel some pity for her, but I can’t say I liked her.), the older son (or especially his wife), the younger son, or the daughter (At first I liked her, but only because I didn’t know her. When I did get to know her, I found her to be the most unlikable of the entire crew, except for the older son’s wife.).
Is this because, in Gates’ words, I “probably just don’t like people”? No, it is because I just don't like THESE people or for that matter, any of their friends or associates. There was not a single person that I could pull for – not one. And after 568 pages, I not only don’t like the people, I don’t like the book either.
The two stars were for the writing (otherwise it would have been one), and even then, there were times I wasn’t crazy about the writing either. For example: “…Susy Ghosh asked the table in a voice like hair in a shampoo commercial.” (p. 326) I’m still trying to figure out what the hell that means.
David Gates wrote in his glowing review in the New York Times that the book had “just enough novel-of-paranoia touches so Oprah won’t assign it and ruin Franzen’s street cred.”
Wrong, David. Oprah not only chose it for her book club but went so far as to proclaim it “the great American novel.” Franzen, who recognized that his book’s selection by Oprah meant that sales would sharply increase, was nevertheless ambivalent about the situation because he believed that heretofore her selections had been on the “schmaltzy” side. Consequently, when he voiced his feelings in several interviews Oprah withdrew her invitation to have him as a guest on her show (And the dust cover of my hardback copy does not feature her stamp of approval, which had been embossed on earlier copies of the book.). Of course, the publicity engendered by the tempest in a teapot may have had as much of a positive impact on sales as his appearance on her show would have had. But perhaps he did salvage his “street cred.” I hope so.
So how is it that I would give such a heralded book two out of five stars? I’ll answer that, but first here is another quote from David Gates’ review: “If you don’t end up liking each one of Franzen’s people, you probably just don’t like people.”
My answer for the two stars is I didn’t like any of the people. I didn’t like the father, the mother (I did feel some pity for her, but I can’t say I liked her.), the older son (or especially his wife), the younger son, or the daughter (At first I liked her, but only because I didn’t know her. When I did get to know her, I found her to be the most unlikable of the entire crew, except for the older son’s wife.).
Is this because, in Gates’ words, I “probably just don’t like people”? No, it is because I just don't like THESE people or for that matter, any of their friends or associates. There was not a single person that I could pull for – not one. And after 568 pages, I not only don’t like the people, I don’t like the book either.
The two stars were for the writing (otherwise it would have been one), and even then, there were times I wasn’t crazy about the writing either. For example: “…Susy Ghosh asked the table in a voice like hair in a shampoo commercial.” (p. 326) I’m still trying to figure out what the hell that means.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
June 10, 2014
– Shelved
June 10, 2014
– Shelved as:
fiction
June 10, 2014
– Shelved as:
family
June 10, 2014
– Shelved as:
family-dysfunction
June 10, 2014
– Shelved as:
national-book-award
September 2, 2014
– Shelved as:
reviewed
Comments Showing 1-50 of 65 (65 new)
Alejandro wrote: "Bold review, Howard!Not matter how popular a book is, and not matter if other fellow readers won't agree with you, always is important to express your honest opinion about your reading experience..."
Just trying to follow in your footsteps, Alejandro. You always go boldly where others fear to go. But I'm not sure how bold I am. The critics loved it, but it did not receive universal acclaim from the readers, even if Oprah loved it -- at first.
Question: Did the young Wicked Witch of the West look like a young green Margaret Hamilton? Just curious.
Howard wrote: "Alejandro wrote: "Bold review, Howard!Not matter how popular a book is, and not matter if other fellow readers won't agree with you, always is important to express your honest opinion about your ..."
Well, not always is popular going against the stream of the river, but I think that if you explain with solid reasons of why you didn't like a particular book and always without hate, just expressing why you didn't any novel, people will appreciate the polite honesty.
No, hahaha, Margaret Hamilton was wonderfully wicked as the Witch on the classic film, of course, but in the novel "Wicked", actually Elphaba, the name of the witch in this version, is quite pretty (maybe even prettier on the musical version) but it's clear that she is fair good looking only with an "unusual" greenish skin.
Makes me smile. So many get such perverse pleasure out of disliking the characters, and if that doesn't work some consolation pleasure out of disliking a lauded book. I hope you got some out of the latter, but I suspect not. So many other writers make a great tale out of dysfunctional families as either a comedy or a tragedy. This one kind of walked the line in a way that engaged me. But it would have taken the cake for me if it really did make me both laugh and cry like some special writers I favor.
Michael wrote: "Makes me smile. So many get such perverse pleasure out of disliking the characters, and if that doesn't work some consolation pleasure out of disliking a lauded book. I hope you got some out of t..."Gotta have at least one person to like, Michael. Didn't find that here. So there was no pleasure in the reading -- perverse or otherwise -- even though I have no objection to perverse pleasure -- in moderation, of course.
I would much prefer to read and review a book that I enjoy, especially if it is over 500 pages long, than one I dislike. But I also suspect that at least part of my disappointment stems from all the great reviews and hype that surrounded the book which elevated my expectations.
I delayed reading the book for a long time, but decided to do so when Franzen's new novel was published. I wanted to read it, but thought that I should read this one first. At least reading this one saved me from reading the other one.
Howard wrote: "...I delayed reading the book for a long time. ...At least reading this one saved me from reading the other one. LOL. "Freedom" gathers dust on my shelf, whispering "I've improved", "Give me a chance", "You could be missing the Great American Novel." For now I have enough candidates from candidates you've vetted for me ("The Power of the Dog", "American Rust", "The Last Crossing").
Michael wrote: "Gotta have at least one person to like, Michael. Didn't find that here."I truly do not have to like anyone in a novel I'm reading; but with any novel that relies greatly on character development, I do need to feel that the characters are living breathing human beings, which means I will likely end up feeling empathy at least for a member of the human race.
In any case, I haven't read Franzen and have not felt drawn to reading him.
Teresa wrote: "Michael wrote: "Gotta have at least one person to like, Michael. Didn't find that here."I truly do not have to like anyone in a novel I'm reading; but with any novel that relies greatly on charac..."
They are believable characters, Teresa, and I understand what you are saying about empathy. I did feel that to some degree regarding the mother. But it was pity more than empathy. Its hard, however, for me to say very much positive about a book in which the person I had at least some feeling for was a whining manipulator.
I own this book but haven't read it yet. Haven't felt any real pull to crack it open, and I just might not - doesn't sound like something I would enjoy after all. I enjoyed your review though and having just finished Serena, I was thinking about the question of whether I can like a book when the main characters are patently unlikeable. My answer is "no," but there are always exceptions, I suppose, and Serena had at least one character to root for.
Hi Mary. Since I wrote this review and read the comments, I have been reconsidering the question of the necessity of having at least one character that I can root for.I'm sure that if I thought about all the books that I have read, or as many of them as I can recall, that I could come up with an example in which I didn't like the characters, but still liked the book. But if I did, I think it would be the exception that proved the rule.
I felt the same way. I didn't like any of the characters and didn't care about them.
Howard, great review. I took a very meek middle of the road stance rating this book. I like your attitude much better. The characters and their dysfunction just became exhausting. I agree that you have to have a character you like, or at least one that has a hope of redemption if you don't exactly like them. Or even you liked the person that they used to be or that they could become? Anyway, three was really just my perfectionist, good girl upbringing getting in the way again. Thank you for making me think about books and characters and what makes me read. :)
Arnie wrote: "I felt the same way. I didn't like any of the characters and didn't care about them."And I can't believe that I invested that much time in reading about them.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Arnie.
René wrote: "Howard, great review. I took a very meek middle of the road stance rating this book. I like your attitude much better. The characters and their dysfunction just became exhausting. I agree that ..."Thanks Rene. You explained my feelings about characters perfectly and did it better than I did.
I tend to give high ratings because I try to carefully screen my books because life is too short to spend any part of it reading books that I don't enjoy. That is what graduate school was for.
But I missed the boat on this one. Two stars is as low as I have ever gone, which means I really didn't care for it at all. I guess I was taken in by all the hype surrounding its publication.
You are welcome Howard and thank you. I identified with what you felt about the characters and just ran with it. It really took your original thoughts for me to refine my feelings on the matter. It is almost like having a conversation in pieces. I completely agree with you. I wish I could have abandoned ship on this one early on. I have this inability to quit reading a book. I keep thinking I need to give it another chance. You know this book represented exactly what I hate about reality television. Why spend your time listening to or reading about people fighting and whining? Life is too short.
When I started out, broadening my horizons in books, I relied heavily on Oprah's selections, which, I thought, introduced authors to me I would never have gotten to know otherwise. But after about 10 of these selections, I couldn't stomach any of them anymore. Not only were the books expensive to get hold of, but I did not want to share it with friends.It was not books I wanted to discuss. The irony is that one of my school friends ended up working for Oprah as a book selector! That baffled me big time. Of course I had to bear in mind that she emigrated to America a few years earlier, and chose books for her new adopted country. However, there are millions of other American books which are highly popular in our country, mostly by word-of-mouth selections or good promotions. Oprah did not make a dent in the readers' choices as much.I was greatly surprised to learn how many friends and acquaintances share my point of view. Quite so, indeed!
I do admire this author for sticking to his guns, even if it meant he created more publicity and more sales by doing it. But he really meant it, and that took some serious guts, for sure.
Great review, Howard!
Margitte wrote: "When I started out, broadening my horizons in books, I relied heavily on Oprah's selections, which, I thought, introduced authors to me I would never have gotten to know otherwise. But after about..."Thanks Margitte. That's funny, because I took the opposite tack. If Oprah recommended it, with few exceptions, I knew I wasn't interested. Of course, that doesn't go for the classics, such as "East of Eden," that she recommended, but then I had already read those.
All of you my not understand this entire post, but I really did laugh out loud. I do agree with Alejandro that if you dislike with reason and mildness of commentary, the critique is often well taken. Not always, but often. I laugh because Oprah rec's are usually 2's for me, IF I try them. And beyond that, I am almost always the odd woman odd on high ratings for victim voiced books or sappy emoting "find myself" tomes or other moderns- MOST in the category of this particular review's novel. But I have to add that I do not have to like any character in the book to love a book if it melds and it has something to say or feel.
Howard, you really do make me laugh. You tend to strong dislikes or likes, one of my children is exactly the same.
Jeanette, I would agree up to a point. My problem is that if I don't like any character in the book then it isn't going to say anything to me and I'm certain I am not going to love it.I'm sure there are exceptions to my rule, but I've tried to think of one and so far I've come up empty.
But as has been said, even when we read the same book we don't read the same book.
It's harder to do so, but I can think of several, maybe dozens, of books where I disliked every character in the book- but it came out a 3 or 4 for the plot, or story or connection to place or some other aspect. To be truthful, there are few characters that I "like" in modern fiction. My eyes see majority moderns as 50% whining mixed with self pity. This particular novel, you are not alone at all. Counting my GR friends, you are one out of five 2 stars. But I guess that I am unusual at liking at book or enjoying the read without liking the characters. "Loving Frank" comes to mind. I disliked every character in that book, but it sure did say something to me.
Sorry for the typos and word omits, on that last post. And you do make me laugh. You are NOT the only one who comments on this book either. 7 GR friends have long comment threads on this book. That says something too. To me it does. Now I read for pleasure and don't finish books I strongly dislike. BTW, Serena was a book like that- it is on my "abandoned" shelf.
I've liked some books without any characters I like. I despised Humbert Humbert but liked Lolita because it was so well written and psychologically accurate (odd since Nabokov hated Freud and psychiatry. I also liked Sense Of An Ending by Julian Barnes because it was well written and provided so much food for thought.
Great review!I hated the book even more than you did - I think it is the only book on my list that has 1 star - and I felt like I was being generous giving it that.
It took me two years to finish it because I hated it so much and kept putting it aside - I would never, ever buy another one of his books - no talent whatsoever, in my opinion.
Jeanette wrote: "Howard, you really do make me laugh. You tend to strong dislikes or likes, one of my children is exactly the same."Your favorite child, no doubt.
Jeanette wrote: "Sorry for the typos and word omits, on that last post. No edit, and you do make me laugh. You are NOT the only one who comments on this book either. 7 GR friends have long comment threads on this b..."And I just ordered it.
Arnie wrote: "I've liked some books without any characters I like. I despised Humbert Humbert but liked Lolita because it was so well written and psychologically accurate (odd since Nabokov hated Freud and psych..."Hi Arnie,
I've never read either of those books, so I couldn't say that I would like them. I'm still trying to think of one. I guess I'll have to go look at my shelf and see if I can come up with one.
Beth wrote: "Great review!I hated the book even more than you did - I think it is the only book on my list that has 1 star - and I felt like I was being generous giving it that.
It took me two years to finish..."
Thanks Beth.
Two years? I think he is a good writer, so I believe he has some talent. But I'm not sure I will read another of his books either.
Howard wrote: "Beth wrote: "Great review!I hated the book even more than you did - I think it is the only book on my list that has 1 star - and I felt like I was being generous giving it that.
It took me two ye..."
Yes, two years because I put it aside so many times - this from a person who usually reads about a book a week - sometimes 2. It was like having root canal - you know you need to get it done but you can only subject yourself to the pain in small doses.
Beth wrote: "Howard wrote: "Beth wrote: "Great review!I hated the book even more than you did - I think it is the only book on my list that has 1 star - and I felt like I was being generous giving it that.
It..."
Ouch! You did hate the book.
Howard ,I disliked this book so much that I couldn't finish it so I have not rated it . It's on my abandoned - just not for me shelf . I thought I would try Freedom and I fund read it but thought it was just okay .
Loved your review .
Angela wrote: "Howard ,I disliked this book so much that I couldn't finish it so I have not rated it . It's on my abandoned - just not for me shelf . I thought I would try Freedom and I fund read it but thought ..."
Thanks Angela. I thought I might be in a small minority because I did not like the book. However, it appears that the minority, if it is that, is not so small.
I was getting ready to read "Freedom," but since I had not read "The Corrections," I thought I would read it first. Now I'm not sure that I will ever read "Freedom," despite the good reviews it received.
David Gates must have me pegged as a terrible misanthrope, too, because I was repulsed by those characters as much as you were. I will say the parts of Freedom had partially tolerable characters, but more often than not, Franzen reverted to form. Maybe he's conditioned to believe that flawed and unhappy is the same as realistic and deep. Had they come by these traits more honestly, I might have thought differently.
Had they come by these traits more honestly, I might have thought differently.Exactly!
"Maybe he's conditioned to believe that flawed and unhappy is the same as realistic and deep." This is my prime core objection to moderns in general, Steve. Although I have said it a bit differently because I see mood disorders so frequently. Almost every 5 star lauded here in the moderns surrounds a depressive. This refrain in the reviews most often interprets this and its expression as highly valued homo sapiens "truth" and value. While actually it serves more for validation toward the self-serving.
Jeanette wrote: "Almost every 5 star lauded here in the moderns surrounds a depressive."I see your point, Jeanette. It's meta-depressing, isn't it? I wonder if we can coin a new German word: Schadenschade.
OHHH, THAT is a good one, Steve! Schadenschade. Thank you. I'm going to use it too.
Howard, i am not finished reading the book.. but I give your review five stars..
John wrote: "Howard, i am not finished reading the book.. but I give your review five stars.."Thanks John. Let me know your opinion of the book.
Liked your review. I did not like any character either. But don't you think Franzen deliberately had the characters like that? That they are supposed to be ordinary people which is why they are the way they are?
Nageen wrote: "Liked your review. I did not like any character either. But don't you think Franzen deliberately had the characters like that? That they are supposed to be ordinary people which is why they are the..."Yes, that was his intention. I don't think Franzen liked them either. I think the reviewer that I cited missed that point. He liked the characters and thought everyone else should as well.
And, yes, they were ordinary people, I suppose, but there are many, many ordinary people that I like better and would much more enjoy reading about. Of course, it is my opinion and a matter of personal preference.
Thanks for reading the review and for you comments.
Yes, Howard. Exactly. I too enjoy reading about ordinary people, quite like the ones I know and like. Ordinary doesn't assume this flawed or self-involved, self-serving.
Jeanette wrote: "Yes, Howard. Exactly. I too enjoy reading about ordinary people, quite like the ones I know and like. Ordinary doesn't assume this flawed or self-involved, self-serving."I totally agree.
Someone else may have commented but the quoted line ‘in a voice like hair in a shampoo commercial’ seems immediately obvious and reasonably clever to me. Picture the slow motion deliriously beautiful hair waving luxuriantly across the airbrushed face of a smiling model. What sort of a voice is analogous to that? Not harsh nor squeaky. Overly rich and warm, effulgent, perhaps a bit too lovely, false?
After 40 pages I think I’m inclined to agree with a low star rating as, while certain passages take flight, he’s seeing people too much through a jaundiced eye. I suppose readjusting your frame and seeing it as comedy might help.
Gary16 wrote: "After 40 pages I think I’m inclined to agree with a low star rating as, while certain passages take flight, he’s seeing people too much through a jaundiced eye. I suppose readjusting your frame and..."Maybe it would help to see it as comedy, Gary, but I'm not sure I could. I'm just sorry that I devoted the time necessary to read 500 plus pages of a story about people that I not only didn't like, but didn't even find interesting. And I find it hard to believe that it won a National Book Award.
I enjoyed reading your review, Howard! I attempted to read two of Franzen's books... the one you reviewed and 'Freedom'.. but did not finish either.
Darlene wrote: "I enjoyed reading your review, Howard! I attempted to read two of Franzen's books... the one you reviewed and 'Freedom'.. but did not finish either."Thanks, Darlene.
After reading "The Corrections," I wasn't about to tackle "Freedom." I know there are people who like this book, but I'm amazed how many despise it.
I know what you mean, Howard! Franzen's books have always received so much hype and a number of the critics I read, seemed to love his books so I wanted to see what everyone was so excited about. I admit that his supposed 'genius' eludes me. :) I don't often feel this way but I find his books unreadable. I DO wonder though if sometimes people dislike his books so much because HE (as a person) often seems difficult and unlikable.
Darlene wrote: "I know what you mean, Howard! Franzen's books have always received so much hype and a number of the critics I read, seemed to love his books so I wanted to see what everyone was so excited about. I..."Well, he is unlikable, and that could be a factor. On the other hand, there have been other unlikable writers that I have enjoyed reading. Ernest Hemingway is a classic example. In my case, at least, I don't think it is a factor.
Not matter how popular a book is, and not matter if other fellow readers won't agree with you, always is important to express your honest opinion about your reading experience with the book.