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Crossroads
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
The highly anticipated new novel from one of our greatest living writers. It's December 23, 1971, and the Hildebrandt family is at a crossroads. The patriarch, Russ, the associate pastor of a suburban Chicago church, is poised to break free of a marriage he finds joyless--unless his brilliant and unstable wife, Marion, breaks free of it first. Their eldest child, Clem, is coming home from college afire with moral absolutism, having taken an action that will shatter his father. Clem's sister, Becky, long the social queen of her high-school class, has veered into the era's counterculture, while their younger brother Perry, fed up with selling pot to support his drug habit, has firmly resolved to be a better person. Each of the Hildebrandts seeks a freedom that each of the others threatens to complicate. Universally recognized as the leading novelist of his generation, Jonathan Franzen is often described as a teller of family stories. Only now, though, in Crossroads, has he given us a novel in which a family, in all the intricacy of its workings, is truly at the centre. By turns comic and harrowing, a tour-de-force of interwoven perspectives and sustained suspense, Crossroads is the first volume of a trilogy, A Key to All Mythologies, that will span three generations and trace the inner life of our culture through the present day. Complete in itself, set in a historical moment of moral crisis, and reaching back to the early twentieth century, Crossroads serves as a foundation for a sweeping investigation of human mythologies, as the Hildebrandt family navigates the political, intellectual and social crosscurrents of the past fifty years. Jonathan Franzen's gift for wedding depth and vividness of character with breadth of social vision has never been more dazzlingly evident than in Crossroads.
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review
BarbaraBB
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

All members of the Hildebrandt family seem to have an existential crisis at exactly the same moment. God, a lack of God, sex, a lack of sex, drugs and rock ‘n‘ roll: it‘s all there.
Franzen writes about a real unrealistic dysfunctional family but it was so fun to spend some time with them - despite their crises.

I am sorry it took so long to pick it up Helen, I really enjoyed it 💕

squirrelbrain I‘m glad you liked it - I really did too! Love the photo. 2mo
See All 22 Comments
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain Thanks. View from my bedroom 😀 2mo
TrishB Must get to…. 2mo
Librarybelle That‘s a gorgeous view! My bedroom view is not as glamorous. 😂 2mo
squirrelbrain I wondered if it was from your house! I‘d spend all day staring out at the view! 2mo
BarbaraBB @Librarybelle @squirrelbrain Lol it isn‘t as glamorous as it may seem. Or maybe I am used to it! 2mo
Becker Enticing photo 2mo
Hooked_on_books Add me to the “great view!” crowd. You‘re a lucky woman! I‘ve found this prompt to be difficult. I finally found one book on my shelves that fits it after looking through about 500 books. Either instruments aren‘t a common cover theme or that‘s just the case with the books I tend to pick. 2mo
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books It was the only book on my shelves with a musical instrument! And about the view, yours is the best 🌴 💚 2mo
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books Which book did you find? 2mo
Megabooks Count me in the “Barbara has a fantastic bedroom view” camp!! 🤩🤩 this is supposed to be book 1 of a trilogy, and I‘m very excited to see where he takes it! 2mo
BarbaraBB @Megabooks Really? That is cool and I have to admit the book ended rather abruptly so a sequel would be welcome! 2mo
Soubhiville I love your view as well 🙂 2mo
Hooked_on_books I do indeed have a fabulous view. My good one is from my kitchen, so eating breakfast is lovely. Here‘s the book I found: 2mo
jlhammar I really must get to this! I bought it when it first came out and there it sits. Looking forward to it. 2mo
BarbaraBB @Hooked_on_books it‘s been awhile since I read Proulx. It might be an unexpected surprise! 2mo
batsy Oh, that is a very stunning view. And great review. (Franzen and I didn't get along so well in The Corrections 😆) 2mo
Crazeedi @BarbaraBB this book looks really good, adding, and yes the description says it's book 1 of a trilogy!! 2mo
Chelsea.Poole Loved this one! 2mo
KarenUK I‘ve been debating this one, but the #pagecountphobia is real! 😉 2mo
101 likes2 stack adds22 comments
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Hilary427
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

I loved it! I feel like the last hundred pages dragged on, and the ending seemed random, but I really liked it!
⭐️: 4/5

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Aimeesue
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

To the surprise of everyone - even me - I ended up not hating this book. Low pick, because I was interested in the story and characters, but he took forever to get there. The man can write, though.

The first book in a planned trilogy, this is the story of the Hildebrandt family across several generations. Told from the viewpoints of each member of the family, it charts the moral quandaries, doubts, and hubris that leads to a crisis point. ⬇️

Aimeesue Low pick. You need to have some stamina to get through it, but by the mid- point, I actually wanted to see what happened next. 13mo
40 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Aimeesue
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Halfway through, and I'm not entirely sure what I think of it yet.
I AM highly amused that this is the first in a planned trilogy. A trilogy titled "The Keys to All Mythologies," which is the title of Casaubon's laborious tome in Middlemarch, which, weirdly and entirely coincidentally, I am also currently reading (a chapter a day with the #Pemberlittens)

merelybookish Oh dear. I do find him insufferable. 13mo
Aimeesue @merelybookish it's for an IRL book club, otherwise I wouldn't touch it, having successfully avoided him lo these many years. He does go on. And on and on. 13mo
Aimeesue I will say that the '70s nostalgia is amusing, at least. 13mo
CarolynM I read it for my IRL book group too. Really disliked it. 13mo
Aimeesue @CarolynM There was a lot of really cringy stuff going on, that's for sure. 13mo
35 likes5 comments
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Oryx
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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We're giving this a go this weekend

squirrelbrain Enjoy! And stay away from those baubles, Daisy!🎄 1y
RaeLovesToRead 🐶💕💕 1y
Yuki_Onna That look ...🥰😍 1y
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LeahBergen Daisy seems uncertain about Franzen. 😆 1y
MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen “I‘ve heard that guy is a dick but he can write.” 1y
Oryx @MicheleinPhilly @LeahBergen "Does the world really need another book by a white American man? Also, I heard there were treats somewhere?" 1y
LeahBergen 😆😆 1y
jhod Did you get anything from it Emma? Wondering whether to go for the 99p deal... 1y
Oryx @jhod I'm halfway through - had to leave it for holiday travelling - I like it though and will finish. I think it's worth a go for 99p. 1y
jhod Ah thanks! Hope you're having a great break in N Ireland 1y
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Abailliekaras
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

A compulsive read. Franzen does dysfunctional families well. I enjoyed the propulsive writing, sense of humour & the depth of characters with their flaws & attempts to redeem themselves. The prose is rich, knowing & textured but focuses on story & characters rather than feeling showy. The addiction parts had echoes of DFW (but doesn‘t soar like his work). A white perspective on religion & Native American issues. I didn‘t warm to the family.

ClairesReads One of my faves from last year 1y
33 likes1 comment
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Hanna-B
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
Mehso-so

It started well but it was unevenly paced and too long. Why are books not edited better these days?
The chapter devoted to describing Marion‘s descent into mental illness was way too much and too long again.
I feel that if it had been tidied up and condensed with a thorough editing it could have shone. But for me it just dragged on and by the end I was skipping pages. Glad it‘s over tbh.
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#franzen #crossroads #modernliterature

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Hanna-B
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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The characters are so well drawn and I‘m totally hooked. Has anyone else loved this? Feels like a real return to form. #franzen #crossroads #booklover

CarolynM I really didn‘t like it, but I didn‘t like The Corrections either. 2y
Hanna-B @CarolynM interesting! I am enjoying it and loved Corrections 2y
8 likes2 comments
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Hanna-B
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Just starting this bad boy

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BookwormM
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
Pickpick

Great aga saga about a midwestern family and all their faults and foibles.

The Hildebrandts are a family with secrets and no-one is what they seem to be. Not Russ the Pastor, not his perfect Pastor's wife Marion and not the children who are living their own lives regardless of parental wishes.

Will be interested to see where the rest of the trilogy takes us.

Also making in on to my Booker predictions list

Brimful On my Booker predictions as well! 2y
Brimful We were wrong! 2y
BookwormM I know!! Most of them weren‘t even on my radar 🤣🤣 2y
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LisaLovesToRead
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

I am glad I flipped to a physical book instead of e-book to read this. It is the first in a trilogy. Now I‘m eagerly waiting for #2! The characters are relatable — complicated with good, bad, & annoying characteristics in each.

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mija333
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
Bailedbailed

It started making sense at page 53 but by then I was too frustrated. Bail.

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Mkhoshy
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

Unlike all the other novels of his I've read; very focused and way less of him showing off what a great writer he is. Truth is I loved freedom best - it was all over the place and every sentence felt like franzen saying LOOK HOW GREAT MY WRITING IS. I did like this though, and I will read parts 2 and 3 when they come out (though it will take him at least a decade to write them).

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Kimberlone
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Mehso-so

Mixed feelings on this one. This was my first Franzen, though I am familiar with his books by reputation. If you prefer a book with forward moving plot and a conclusive ending, this isn‘t the book for you. If you‘re looking for richly drawn characters with deep backstories, who are struggling with moral ambiguity, mental illness, temptation, crises of faith, and complicated relationships, then you might love this book. 👇🏼

Kimberlone Set in suburban Chicago in the early 1970s, Crossorads follows members of the Hildebrand family: Russ (former Mennonite & conscientious objector, now associate pastor at a liberal non-denominational church), Marion (his wife w/ deep buried family trauma and history of mental illness), and their 4 children. The titular Crossroads is a youth fellowship many of the characters are involved with. Franzen excels at White People Problems™️ (edited) 2y
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AmyG
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Volunteering today at the hospital giftshop and starting my #Bookspin book. So far it is a SLOW day so I should get lots of reading done.

Kimberlone I just finished this one on audio! 2y
AmyG @Kimberlone Ha! I just saw that. 2y
83 likes2 comments
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AmyG
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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I only do #Bookspin. My May book.

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
Megabooks That‘s a good one and plenty long to keep you busy! (edited) 2y
AmyG Thanks @Megabooks -It looks like a big one! 2y
68 likes3 comments
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peacegypsy
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

This wordy volume presents many interesting ideas for contemplation, but one can‘t help but wonder if it would be more effective as a collection of short stories. This is my first reading of Franzen, and I listened to it via audio instead of reading it, and I‘m always curious how that changes my perception of a book. Even at this length, it did hold my interest; I just think he could have done so as efficiently with fewer words.

Leftcoastzen I like this one better 2y
peacegypsy @Leftcoastzen Thanks for the recommendation. I‘ll try that soon! 2y
36 likes2 comments
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DrexEdit
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

So it seems that people either love or hate Johnathan Franzen & feel similarly toward his books. That said I think the book was worth the time invested. It's a pick if you don't mind JF. If you don't like him, this won't change your mind. It's still very Franzen-y.

I'm going to put this on my #ChunksterChallenge2022 list also! Nearly 600 pages and it's the start of a trilogy! I guess that makes it a #SeriesRead2022 also!
@Amiable
@TheSpineView

DrexEdit The best part here, I think, is the depiction of family relationships and interior lives of the characters. The writing is solid, but not fancy or inspiring really. None of the characters is really likeable if that is a box you check for your reading. You may sympathize or empathize with them though. Set on the backdrop of the 70s, it's all about how a person leads a moral life (or tries to) and is a good person, or if that is even possible. ⬇ 2y
DrexEdit And I still don't like the way JF treats women characters. It seems out of all the crisis stories in this family depiction, the mother and the daughter come off with the worst stories and the worst fates. There are some connections to Middlemarch that I only realized after finishing the book and reading some reviews. Now that #Chunkster is on my list! Thanks @SerialReader! 2y
TheSpineView Awesome! 2y
45 likes3 comments
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DrexEdit
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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1. This weekend I'm working on finishing up Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen.

2. I almost never go to the library anymore. (Is that sad?) I put the books I want on hold and my husband, who works at the library, picks them up for me. It's a good system that always leaves me overwhelmed in books!

3. the last disc of season 2 of Succession! Woot!

#WeekendReads
@rachelsbrittain

rachelsbrittain I don't think there's a wrong way to get your library books! Holds make everything super convenient 2y
39 likes1 comment
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Leftcoastzen
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

The quote from Tolstoy about unhappy families being unhappy in their own way really applies to this family, the Hildebrandts .Set in 1971 , assistant pastor Russ is lusting after a widow in the church group, his wife is remembering her difficult past pre marriage, which she never explained to her husband.The kids are struggling,sex,drugs, the possibility of Vietnam for the oldest. Franzen says this is part of a trilogy.There was one part thought⬇️

Leftcoastzen Franzen was losing his way or putting one over on us a bit..maybe the later books will tell. still recommend, though it didn‘t really get me going till about page 85 .. (edited) 2y
64 likes1 comment
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CarolynM
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Mehso-so

#unpopularopinion
I think this book is phony. Very little rings true for me. I'm not convinced Franzen has ever truly known a woman, let alone a member of a clergy family & his lack of insight in describing his characters' experience of the divine was marked. Even the set up was weak - every member of the family (other than the 9 year old) at a crisis point on the same day? Really? It was a book group choice or I would have bailed. 👇

CarolynM 👆 It's a near thing, but I'm going with so-so rather than pan because it was always readable, just never really believable. 2y
batsy I love how bold that first sentence is 🤩 The Corrections is one of the few books I've bailed on & I never wanted to read Franzen again, but so many positive reviews for this made me wonder if I judged him too hastily. In any case it's good to know it can fall further down the TBR. 2y
sprainedbrain I wasn‘t impressed with this either. Great review! 2y
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CarolynM @batsy I bailed on The Corrections because I just wasn't interested in it. I wouldn't have chosen to read this but it was an IRL book group choice. Interestingly, one of the group who liked The Corrections disliked this one as much as I did and for much the same reasons. 2y
CarolynM @sprainedbrain Thanks🙂 Glad it wasn't just me. 2y
MrsMalaprop How fascinating! My husband is on the final pages. Dare I ask him what he thinks & share your thoughts? 🤔😆 (Love me a robust discussion). 2y
Reggie I like a spicy so-so take! 2y
CarolynM @MrsMalaprop Share away. I'd be interested to know what he thinks too. 2y
CarolynM @Reggie 🌶 at your service🤣 2y
Centique @batsy I didn‘t bail on The Corrections and wished I had, so you‘re one up on me 😂 Thank you for calling it @CarolynM ! ✊ 2y
73 likes10 comments
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peacegypsy
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Time to start this via audio.

35 likes1 stack add
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Brimful
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

This was engrossing and compelling. The characters were beautifully crafted. The 1970s setting was so credible. I loved my immersion into the complicated flawed lives of the family and the resonances between their lives and the big issues of the time- war, religion, sexual liberation and drugs. Whilst they have not become friends exactly I do want to know what happens next and how if at all they resolve their demons. Roll on part 2.

Cathythoughts Atmospheric picture 👍 2y
Brimful @Cathythoughts we have had some wonderful winter sunsets here in the south east of England 2y
15 likes2 comments
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Brimful
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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It‘s a very long time since I read franzen. I loved The Corrections but nothing else really appealed. Then in the Waterstones hardback sale I chose this. After a slow start I am loving it. Only problem is it‘s too heavy to carry on my commute!

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Readerann
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Mehso-so

I can‘t seem to resist Franzen even though he, in turn, enthralls, disgusts, fascinates, and annoys me.

rmaclean4 I am on the fence about this one. 2y
21 likes1 comment
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Leftcoastzen
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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So I start reading, is this going to be too churchy , too preachy ..😬my interest is wavering..🙄get to around page 85 , it just clicks & there comes the razor sharp caustic descriptions of a middle class 1970s family on the cusp of implosion!Oh,Franzen!😀

MrsMalaprop My husband is reading & enjoying this one right now. 😊 2y
Megabooks I was about to say, hang on keep reading! Glad you did. 😁 2y
readordierachel I love when that happens. When you're iffy on a book and then it just clicks 💕 2y
70 likes3 comments
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DrexEdit
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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The sky broken by the bare oaks and elms of New Prospect was full of moist promise, a pair of frontal systems grayly colluding to deliver a white Christmas, when Russ Hildebrandt made his morning rounds among the homes of the bedridden and senile parishioners in his Plymouth Fury wagon.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

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Chelsea.Poole
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

Another epic from Franzen, this one about the Hildebrandt family in the 70s. Russ and Marion have 4 children: Clem, Becky, Perry, and Judson. Each (minus the youngest, Judson) has their own involved stories with themes of war, mental illness, faith and religion, faithfulness, addiction, and ultimately, with each story, finding one‘s place in the world.
No one writes characters like Franzen. I can‘t wait to see what unfolds with the planned series.

AmyG Great review. I look forward to this one. 2y
BarbaraBB Me too! 2y
Megabooks Same! 2y
97 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Chelsea.Poole
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Spent my morning organizing some reading lists, starting my 2022 list of titles I‘ve read, and started the Franzen. With the help of some hot tea ☕️ 🕯

Texreader Sounds like a great way to spend the morning! 2y
107 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Leftcoastzen
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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#WeekendReading After doing some cleaning & fixing at moms rental , the only thing I‘m good for tonight is reading or film. I‘m reading Libertie my #bookspin Crusades for Justice my #doublespin and trying to get back to the Franzen .I loved his book , The Corrections, wish I was as drawn to this one.

vivastory Do you know what you're going to watch? I was planning on going to see Nightmare Alley, but am basically taking pre-vaccine precautions for the next month until this wave passes. 2y
Leftcoastzen @vivastory me too ,our numbers here need to go down! I have not been to a theater since all this started. Should have gone in the summer ! I want to see Nightmare Alley too ! Nothing set in my brain probably something on Criterion.Did you ever watch On The Bowery? Working men & real drunks , no plot really but Bowery NY at its most gritty . Think it‘s just an hour. 2y
Leftcoastzen @vivastory I settled for Pickup on South Street , Thelma Ritter is fantastic! (edited) 2y
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vivastory @Leftcoastzen I love Pickup on South Street! I haven't watched On The Bowery yet, adding to my list! 2y
vivastory @Leftcoastzen Shock Corridor is another great Fuller movie 2y
Leftcoastzen @vivastory thanks, I will check that out. I‘ve seen South Street before, but it‘s been awhile & I love it! 2y
Leftcoastzen @vivastory oh also Sidney Poitiers first appearance No Way Out is up on Criterion, a Joseph Mankiewicz 2y
63 likes7 comments
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notreallyelaine
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen

“I don‘t deserve joy!”
“No one does. It‘s a gift from God.”

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Paperback.Propensity
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one. It's my first time reading Jonathan Franzen, and I'm so glad I picked it up. His characters are so real. This family will stay with me.

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sprainedbrain
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Mehso-so

My expression while listening to most of this book: 😒

Don‘t get me wrong, the writing is really great (if a bit long-winded) and the author really gets in to the messiness of family, religion, mental health, and other complex issues, but it‘s hard to call a book a pick when I didn‘t like most of the characters and outright loathed two of them.

Did not help that it‘s narrated by David Pittu, who I apparently can‘t hang with.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Leftcoastzen What‘s weird, I‘m reading it and not liking it much , I abandoned Freedom,didn‘t even try Purity after reading reviews.He may be a one book guy or at least a one book guy for me . I can‘t tell you how much I adored 2y
sprainedbrain @Leftcoastzen that is good to know! This was my first of his, and I did think it well written. Maybe I will give The Corrections a shot! 2y
68 likes1 stack add2 comments
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staci.reads
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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My daughters and I decided to make the drive and hit up B&N's 50% off hardcovers sale. It was pretty picked over by the time we got there yesterday afternoon, but we still walked away with a few good ones and had a fun day together ❤.

quote
Paperback.Propensity
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen

"Luckier snowflakes were blindly evading the Fury while others met their end on the windshield."

I just love the way Franzen constructs his sentences, the way he makes you look at something in a whole different way. This sentence is very creative.

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cariashley
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Merry bookmas, chunkster edition! 📚🎄

My mom did a good job this year - these were all on my list. Especially happy to get the Ozeki for #TOB22.

MrsMalaprop Got my hubby the Franzen for Christmas. Enjoy 😊. 2y
BkClubCare Strong arm there! 💪 2y
cariashley @BkClubCare it was quite the workout 🤣 2y
48 likes3 comments
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Paperback.Propensity
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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[Last night]
Merry Christmas!

Nute Merry Christmas!❤️🌟💚 2y
14 likes1 comment
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Beatlefan129
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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@Skeebies05 Amazing!!! You really went above and beyond this year! Thank you so much and hope your Christmas is Merry and Bright ❤️🎄

Skeebies05 💜💜💜 2y
85 likes1 comment
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jdiehr
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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@bridge12 You knocked it out of the park!! I'm so excited to read Crossroads and the candy specifically from Kansas City looks awesome! Also - the card 😂

#jolabokaflodswap is always so much fun!

Thanks again @MaleficentBookDragon
#jolabokaflod

StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego I love that card. 2y
bridge12 Yeah! Have a wonderful holiday season ❤️ 2y
50 likes2 comments
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TrishB
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Thank you lovely friends for gifts and cards- Cindy, Cathy, Helen, Katie and Jess.
I love all these and thank you for continuing friendships and book-talks ❤️❤️

batsy Pretty cards! And I thought I was done with Franzen but I'm curious about this one 🙂 2y
squirrelbrain Ooh, Crossroads…I really liked it! 2y
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Cathythoughts Happy Christmas Trish 😘🎄 2y
TrishB @batsy I‘m very curious too! 2y
TrishB @squirrelbrain I was just looking at the reviews and saw you liked. I love a good family saga tbh. 2y
TrishB @Cathythoughts you too Cathy ❤️ hope you and the family have a wonderful time. 2y
Cinfhen I think you‘re gonna like Crossroads @TrishB and it works for #Booked2022 #AboutReligionOrCult 2y
TrishB @Cinfhen it definitely sounds like my sort of thing! 2y
youneverarrived Have a lovely Christmas 🎄 2y
LeahBergen Lovely gifts! 😍 2y
TrishB @youneverarrived you too 🎄🥂 2y
81 likes13 comments
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Howard_L
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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This is much more engaging and compelling than The Corrections, which I wasn‘t as enthusiastic about as the critics apparently were. I hesitated to begin another of his novels but find myself enjoying the story of all the crossroads encountered by the family of Russ Hildebrandt, associate pastor of First Reformed Church in a Chicago suburb in the early seventies.

DrexEdit This #chunkster is on my list for 2022! 2y
Megabooks I‘ll definitely read the sequel. 2y
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thevagabondlawyer
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

It took me more than a month to finish reading this massive book (580 pages) and Mr. Franzen delivers his story magnanimously. Like his previous novel, The Corrections, which I have loved, Crossroads is an exploration of fractured family dynamics, spiritual and religious tensions, infidelity, jealousy, 👇

thevagabondlawyer addiction and so much more. Franzen is known for his acuity and prolificacy. He is a wordsmith through and through. This novel is quite an immersive journey. Sometimes bumpy, sometimes perplexing, but in the end, a rich and fulfilling reading experience. 👏👊 2y
40 likes1 comment
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Cinfhen
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Mehso-so

I thought I would have enjoyed this book more than I actually did. I felt it‘s heaviness, both physically and emotionally but I grew restless with the religious aspects & loquaciousness of the author. Franzen crafted some really interesting characters, I loved Marion (until the last 25 pages) but the book was about 200 pages too many for me. I‘m sure I‘ll pick up the next book (FoMo), but hoping it‘s less of a tome. #ToBLongList

BarbaraBB That‘s disappointing, my expectations are very high! Do you think it‘ll make the longlist? 2y
Cinfhen I do! It‘s probably more me than the book. Lately I‘ve become a fidgety reader. I don‘t like long winded paragraphs and endless backstory. The book was just wayyyyy to long for me. I think you‘ll enjoy it @BarbaraBB 😘 2y
Ruthiella @BarbaraBB @Cinfhen I also have the feeling this will make the shortlists . Just a hunch... I‘ve only read one book from Franzen so far. (edited) 2y
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Cinfhen Yeah @Ruthiella he‘s a prolific author who tends to garner literary attention. (edited) 2y
Megabooks You would‘ve enjoyed this more as an audiobook I think. I know I could‘ve only made it through in that medium. 2y
BkClubCare I am going to pass on this book despite the low hum of a nagging FOMO feeling. 2y
Cinfhen I tried a sample of the audio @megabooks but I didn‘t care for the narration 🤷🏼‍♀️I‘m not sorry I read this one @BkClubCare but it didn‘t live up to my expectations 2y
Megabooks Interesting. It wasn‘t my favorite narration ever, but I liked it fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2y
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blurb
Cinfhen
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Woohoo 🙌🏻 Finally, Marion #PREACH ❣️❣️I‘ve been waiting for this book to start moving and now on page 366, I feel the beginnings of a great story 📚 Up until this point, I‘ve felt like this novel was a bit of a slough. I‘m here for it, Pastor Russ Hildebrandt is a total A-hole( nicest word I could think of). Hope the next 200 pages don‘t disappoint.

review
mklong
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

Gosh I loved this! A complex look at a family at a crisis point, with the vivid characters that we have come to expect from Franzen. It weighs in at about 600 pages, but never feels bloated or unwieldy. Every one of the 600 pages are essential. There is a lot of talk about faith and goodness and I admired the respect that Franzen showed for those with strong Christian faith, those with none, and everyone in between.

merelybookish I saw that chunkster and thought there's no effin way I'll ever read it. Your review is actually making me rethink that decision. 2y
mklong @merelybookish Haha! It goes down smoothly, I blew threw it in about three days. You get perspective from five different characters and something about switching between their voices seems to keep it moving. 2y
vivastory I've yet to read Franzen, but I admit I have been intrigued by all of the positive reviews for this one 2y
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mklong @vivastory You and @merelybookish should buddy read it! Some friends and I were discussing last night who to compare his writing to and all we could come up with was Michael Chabon or, possibly, George Eliot (Franzen is clearly inspired by her). Don‘t know if that helps give you an idea of him or not. 2y
Megabooks I am so excited for the next one!! 2y
mklong @Megabooks Me too! I hope we get more from Judson 2y
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blurb
Cinfhen
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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#MorningCoffee ☕️Thinking of you @Kalalalatja I still use this mug ALL the time!! I hope you‘re feeling well 🤰💕That was a FUN swap @TheKidUpstairs #MugLove …you should bring it back 🥰I haven‘t done a swap in ages but I‘d happily participate in that one🤩I‘m on page 349 / 200 more to go. I‘m liking this book, but NOT loving it. Its like a tasty dish but there‘s a lot of prep work first.

LeahBergen I loved the mug swap, too! 😊 2y
LeticiaToraci Nice mug! 2y
Cathythoughts I love the idea of the mug swap 😄👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 2y
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Cinfhen It was such a sweet & simple swap @Cathythoughts I don‘t even think a book was involved , I remember it was a mug and maybe tea or coffee. It was really perfect 💕 2y
Cinfhen I love this mug because it feels so right in my hands @LeticiaToraci the colors & textures 💜 2y
Cinfhen It was a good one @LeahBergen 🥰 2y
BarbaraBB Interesting thoughts on the book. I am curious where I‘ll end up. And that mug looks real Scandinavian 😍 2y
merelybookish Beautiful mug! I still have mine from that swap too. 2y
TheKidUpstairs This made me smile this morning! I'll think about hosting another one in the new year... 2y
Cinfhen Those were the good ole days @merelybookish when all 200 of us “knew” each other 😘😘 2y
Bklover Trying to decide if I want to read this one but definitely think a mug swap is in order! 2y
Cinfhen Hi 👋🏽 @Bklover what‘s going on!??? Isn‘t it your birthday soon??? The book was good, I think you‘d like it. But I agree,we need another #MugLove #Swap xxx 2y
80 likes13 comments
review
squirrelbrain
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

I loved this book. There‘s so much detail of the lives of the Hildebrant family that you really feel like you‘re there with them. There are also so many themes and plot lines it‘s difficult to think of them all; religion, morality, marriage, faith(fullness), drugs, war, friendship, mental health.

This is the purported first in a trilogy and I‘m looking forward to reading more.

Caroline2 Sounds interesting. Stacked. 😉 2y
Megabooks I can‘t wait until parts 2 and 3! 2y
BarbaraBB I can‘t wait to read this but I will until my Christmas break. It seems perfect to read during a few days off. So happy you gifted me this one!!! ❤️❤️ 2y
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squirrelbrain Don‘t forget you can use it for #booked2022 @BarbaraBB, so start it at Christmas and finish it in January! 😁 2y
BarbaraBB What prompt? 2y
BarbaraBB I am having a book to cross over already: 2y
squirrelbrain It‘s the religion one @BarbaraBB (can‘t remember the exact title) - Crossroads is a church youth group so it fits perfectly. I think @Cinfhen has it on her list for that prompt. 2y
Cinfhen Ohhh good idea to start in December but finish in January 2y
BarbaraBB Clever! I was thinking of this one for that prompt but now I can choose! 2y
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review
perfectlywinged
Crossroads: A Novel | Jonathan Franzen
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Pickpick

If you liked other Franzen novels then you will like this. What I enjoyed about this one was that the character perspectives switch a bit more frequently and that propels the narrative.

EvieBee You read some chunksters! 💫 2y
perfectlywinged @evibee it‘s chunkster month for me as I chose two monster novels😂 2y
15 likes2 comments