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sterlingisreading's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
Some of these essays interested me more than others. My favorites were about technology, literary criticism, and Franzen’s more personal stories. There’s a lot about birds in here, which felt a little tedious in some essays, but in others it worked beautifully to illustrate the realities of climate change. Franzen’s birding obsession feels like an enthusiastic plea: a plea for all of us to create a passionate, personal, active connection to the natural world for ourselves. Maybe if we can all love the world just a little bit more, it may not end so swiftly.
kevin_milne's review against another edition
3.0
Franzen’s a good, intelligent, well-rounded writer, and essays are an under-appreciated medium. The literary equivalent of stand-up comedy, artists lay themselves bare for others to pick apart. Lots of good, motivational insights here, however the interplay of (admirably passionate) bird watching discourse with grand pontificating of the state of the modern world in this form comes across as a tad messy and unfocused.
jon288's review against another edition
4.0
A collection of essays - as usual with collections, some good, some uninteresting. The ones I liked made me want to read some of his novels
mundinova's review
3.0
You're a bad liberal.
But don't worry, Franzen will correct you.
You're a bad environmentalist.
But don't worry, Franzen will correct you.
You don't understand Edith Wharton.
But don't worry, Franzen will correct you.
Jonathan Franzen is one of the greatest living English writers. That's a fact and it's hard to dispute. He's intelligent, poignant, and a master of his craft. He has a voice that's specific, unique, and reflects our time. He's also contrary and a curmudgeon who doesn't understand those different from him. And he has no plans to do so. I love to hate him and will continue to read his work.
Reviewing Franzen is to be pulled against two counter ideals: He's too good of a writer, but his message is too off putting. He's the liberal "elite" poster-child the right-wing doesn't know it would love to hate. He's so liberal "elite" that liberals hate him.
I'll split the difference. 3 stars.
Themes: 1 star
Writing/Prose: 5 stars
But don't worry, Franzen will correct you.
You're a bad environmentalist.
But don't worry, Franzen will correct you.
You don't understand Edith Wharton.
But don't worry, Franzen will correct you.
Jonathan Franzen is one of the greatest living English writers. That's a fact and it's hard to dispute. He's intelligent, poignant, and a master of his craft. He has a voice that's specific, unique, and reflects our time. He's also contrary and a curmudgeon who doesn't understand those different from him. And he has no plans to do so. I love to hate him and will continue to read his work.
Reviewing Franzen is to be pulled against two counter ideals: He's too good of a writer, but his message is too off putting. He's the liberal "elite" poster-child the right-wing doesn't know it would love to hate. He's so liberal "elite" that liberals hate him.
I'll split the difference. 3 stars.
Themes: 1 star
Writing/Prose: 5 stars
rogerjpatterson's review
4.0
Thoughtful reflections on current events; a few of the birding essays are interesting, but most of them have limited appeal.