"While the rain lashed and the sky flashed, he tried to fill her with self-worth and desire, tried to convey how much he needed her to be the person he could bury his cares in. It never quite worked, and yet, when they were done, there came a stretch of minutes in which they lay and held each other in the quiet majesty of long marriage, forgot themselves in shared sadness and forgiveness for everything they'd inflicted on each other, and rested." (page 330)
Freedom
by Jonathan Franzen
It's taking forever to read this 562 page book. The characters aren't especially likable, but they are so
real. I love Franzen's writing, and it seems there's a sentence on every page that begs to be read several times. This one is from last night's reading.
oh this quote has almost made me well up. It's exactly the type of quote that pre blogging I would have written in my notebook. It's made me want to read this book. Just off to re read it again.
ReplyDeleteI watched him on Oprah the other day and thought he was a bit eccentric. I do want to read this one.
ReplyDeleteI saw him on Oprah, and wrote a post citing the whole quandary about his earlier pick (The Corrections); on the show, he seemed quirky and introspective, which is just the kind of writer to come up with that passage. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Corrections and I can't wait to start reading this one. But I know it will have to be the only book that week....
And wow!! Your gorgeous header has me gazing at it longingly....
I've be waffling on reading this book because it sounds like it may be depressing. But, the quote here makes me believe I may be missing some very good writing if I don't read it.
ReplyDeleteThat reference is beautiful...altho probably not my kind of book -- if it takes pondering to get through it :) I might give it a chance if the cover was more appealing.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the writing and the realness make Freedom worth reading. I'll get to it...eventually!
ReplyDeleteCorrections took awhile to get through but was SO worth it! Sounds like this one is too - I will definitely get to it in 2011!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this quote!
Joan Hunter Dunn - That quote had the same effect on me.
ReplyDeleteStaci - I saw just the last minute of it. Thanks for reminding me - I was going to look for the whole segment online.
Laurel-Rain Snow - Freedom is definitely a time-consuming book, but worth it. Glad you like the header photo!
Margot - It doesn't seem depressing, but it is full of unlikable characters (often making bad choices). The writing is outstanding.
Kim - That cover is a little disappointing...
Erin - It's a slow read, but I really like it.
Booksnyc - If you appreciated The Corrections (my bookclub was so divided on it), then Freedom should be a must read.
Oh no. Is this one I'll have to add to my list? Glad you're liking it--I kind of want someone to say they don't so that I don't have to bother. ;)
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful though aching passage.
Trish - Even though I really like this one, reactions seem to be split. I'm sure you wouldn't have to look very hard to find a negative opinion...
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your review of this. Although there have been quite a few reviews of this around I'm enjoying reading them as everyone seems to take something different from it.
ReplyDeleteJessica - It's funny how reviews of Freedom have varied so widely. I still have about 100 pages to go... not much reading with the holiday frenzy. Hope to finish over the weekend.
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