In recent times, two guardrails have been established, it seems to me, beyond which lies the writerly abyss. On the one hand the profane, badly written, misogynistic fare in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and absurd treacle on the other in Eat, Pray, Love.
In Freedom, Franzen achieves the sweet spot between those two guardrails, and accomplishes what a good novel should do - give us fully formed characters (whether we actually like them or not).
The opening chapter of Freedom is not like the rest. Its style is almost like a report, a journalistic report. Looking back, one realizes that the author has established a number of markers that evolve throughout the book. But it is difficult to spot them in the first reading, since they are so integral to the narrative itself.
The second chapter is a tour de force. It is in one of the three main characters Patty's, voice (only). This chapter fully explores her personality and psyche and is a beautiful explanation of the markers that were laid out in the first chapter. You develop enormous empathy with Patty, not because Franzen is yanking emotional levers, but because of where the character is placed.
The middle part of the book fully explores the main characters. Clearly there are primary and secondary characters in the book. Because this is a novel and there is room to breathe, everyone of them is given a chance to grow, explore and express. The character of Walter (Patty's husband) grows from a sketch of an eccentric and cranky individual to a fully formed human being one can relate to.
As the book was approaching the end, I was filled with a tad bit of anxiety. Here was a very recognizable world that Franzen has created, but with a depth that we fail to perceive as hurried live-rs of our lives. In the last chapter, Franzen clearly had a choice. He could have opted for any trajectory - comedy, tragedy, or guns blazing. But to my utter delight, he allows the world that he has created (and observed) develop organically. There is an internal logic to his plot that has a trajectory - and he lets the trajectory build without blocking it. In Mihlayi Czitzenmihalyi's prescription, he finds 'Flow' not only for his writing but for his characters - a twofer!
Some observations on the writing itself: Somewhere in the middle of the book it occurred to me that Franzen explores psychological and relationships terrain only. What I mean is that his characters find themselves in NY, MN, DC, abroad. But he never writes anything about the surroundings. Any other writer would record the sights and sounds of the environment and be evocative. Franzen (willfully?) ignores this and saves all his energies for character development.
Also, his language is contemporary. Sometimes in a riff, he gets to poetic lines. But then again reverts to the journalistic and the banal. If I had one complaint, that would be it. The language he employs is not consistently spectacular. It is uneven at best. A good summary might be that his ear for the language is contemporary, no more no less.
The title of the book Freedom, is more than appropos. The theme is freedom. The plot is about freedom. And the characters are about exploring freedom. It is also a poke at our thoughtless use of the word in modern society sometimes. It is also a meditation on what the word really means. The novel gives plenty of scope to explore this in cynical, aggressive, ruminative and psychological terms. A real reward for the reader.
Is this a great novel? Is Franzen a great writer? In the blush of reading this terrific novel, I am most tempted to say yes enthusiastically. Then in a sober moment I think of Coetzee and Naipaul, and have to conclude not yet. But clearly Franzen's writing trajectory is headed in the direction of Coetzee and Naipaul. And I can't wait!
In the meantime, please run, buy and read Freedom.
4 comments:
Enjoyed the piece very much. I particularly liked how in a sentence you explained what serious fiction writing (and even, on occasion, nonfiction) is all about: “But to my utter delight, he allows the world that he has created (and observed) develop organically.” Created… and observed. Nice.
Being the kind of guy I am, however, your burlesque tease concerning Franzen’s perspective of the central theme, freedom, was frustrating. But I suppose your theme was ‘read the damn book!’, so it was consistent with your objective.
Also appreciated your placing it in the wider context of literature today and taking a leap as to Franzen’s artistic trajectory.
Just got it this week - looking forward to it - thanks for the review!
The blogger in you will be taking you to wide readership. Truely a professional review!
Very Interesting Commentary. Will Check It Out.
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