I have been meaning to read this book forever. Whenever somebody finds out I am from the Midwest (and Webster Groves in particular), they tell me I have to read The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen. I think Madison K. was the first person to tell me to read this book, though. After all that buildup, my expectations were pretty high and it would have been easy for me to be disappointed. But I ended up liking the book a lot. It was a little uncomfortable to read. Looking back at growing up in St Louis, so much of it rang true. But reading it was like looking at my hometown and relationships with my loved ones with yellow-colored glasses. If Jonathan Franzen were to observe my marriage, would he paint it as one of muted despair--even though I am very happy in it? If he were to see the house I grew up in and loved, would he only see the signs of disrepair? Reading this book, I felt as though I was peering out at the world with jaundiced eyes.
But still, it was a good book. There was compassion there, and you gradually ended up feeling for all the characters--or I did, anyway. I also appreciated how all the stories intertwined in small and large ways. I would recommend it, especially to any St Louis natives.
I wonder--is it odd that I have been reading so many books lately about parents growing old in far away places and difficult situations? Mom and dad, you'd better keep the burden light when you start getting on in years! You hear me?
-Kristin
10 comments:
I wrote this before somewhere, but get to type it again since you are talking about Corrections again:
Favorite food passage.
In the kitchen Enid dredged the Promethean meat in flour and laid it in a Westinghouse electric pan large enough to fry nine eggs in ticktacktoe formation. A cast aluminum lid clattered as the rutabaga water came abruptly to a boil. Earlier in the day a half package of bacon in the refrigerator had suggested liver to her, the drab liver had suggested a complement of bright yellow, and so the Dinner had taken shape. Unfortunately, when she went to cook the bacon she discovered there were only three strips, not the six or eight she’d imagined. She was now struggling to believe that three strips would suffice for the entire family…..
A dollop of mashed rutabaga at rest on a plate expressed a clear yellowish liquid similar to plasma or the matter in a blister. Boiled beet greens leaked something cupric, greenish. Capillary action and the thirsty crust of flour drew both liquids under the liver. When the liver was lifted a faint suction could be heard. The sodden lower crust was unspeakable.
This did catch things from my childhood in places, even if I didn't grow up in Webster. I gave it three out of five starts. (Most books get three I'd say) Freedom got 2 out of 5. (Didn't care for this one much) The Twenty-Seventh City 3 out of 5.
Oh, I forgot. What do we get to keep to go into our old age? You will be glad to know I filled my cars to the gills and dropped stuff off at the thrift shop today!
I think Freedom got only one star from me. As I think back on it, I think how awful it was. One of those books I shouldn't have bothered finishing. (There have been few of them.)
I'm betting you are just supposed to just go quietly into the nursing home, more than get rid of your stuff. I'm hoping I just fall over dead one day with no warning so nobody has to do anything but decide where to put my ashes. As often as I fall over for no reason, I feel this is a very attainable goal.
Yes, I agree Kaye. Just fall over dead. I think our time must be almost up. I'll say my goodbyes now. Bye all!!!! Love ya!!!!!
I was being kind in giving Freedom a 2 I think. Let's take it down to your 1.
That was a good was to describe it Kris. I felt the same way. I liked it, but wouldn't ever read it again. I think it just made me depressed is all.
Also - I think we all live too far apart. Families are getting father dispersed and then not as many are near by to share in the helping as families age. Poo!
Please don't fall over dead with that rain hot on though. We would be sad to lose you AND really embarassed. I can hardly ever sleep anymore so dying in it seems like less and less of a possibility.
You are so funny.
That food passage is unforgettable, mom! You know, I've never had liver! Is it really that bad?
We should all pick one place to move eventually, so nobody gets stuck taking care of you old folks alone. I think I will allow you one suitcase mom. Dad can have one too. We are limited for space, you know. You will have to sleep under Megan's loft bed.
Dad and I were talking about it today. Since we are getting rid of stuff so we are prepared, we thought we go ahead and send Conrad ahead of us. Is that ok?
I've cooked liver for the dogs' treats but could never make myself try it.
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