Crossroads Reviewed in The Atlantic

Crossroads Reviewed in The Atlantic

Jonathan Franzen’s Best Book Yet At last he’s put aside the pyrotechnics and gone all in on his great theme: the American family. “Jonathan franzen writes big books about small lives. This may sound like a curious characterization of a writer who has sweated to...
The Church of Jonathan Franzen

The Church of Jonathan Franzen

In “Crossroads,” bad decisions and bad faith weigh down the characters—and propel the novel to startling heights. A rabbi, a preacher, and a drug dealer walk into a Christmas party. This is not the setup to a joke; it is the setup to a pivotal scene in “Crossroads,”...
Crossroads Reviewed in The New York Times

Crossroads Reviewed in The New York Times

Jonathan Franzen’s ‘Crossroads,’ a Mellow, ’70s-Era Heartbreaker That Starts a Trilogy Jonathan Franzen’s new novel, “Crossroads,” is the first in a projected trilogy, which is reason to be wary. Good trilogies rarely announce themselves as such at the start. And the...
Jonathan Franzen Interviewed in The Guardian

Jonathan Franzen Interviewed in The Guardian

Jonathan Franzen: ‘I just write it like I see it and that gets me in trouble’ It is 11AM Pacific time and Jonathan Franzen has just turned on the light. “Special occasion,” he says drily of our video call. A sliver of sunshine dares to creep under the venetian blind...
Jonathan Franzen interviewed in The Wall Street Journal Magazine

Jonathan Franzen interviewed in The Wall Street Journal Magazine

The bestselling novelist talks about his latest book, ‘Crossroads,’ and taking a more compassionate stance toward his characters—and himself. Jonathan Franzen’s mother knew how to wound him in just the right way. “It requires a high level of subtlety,” says the...