Franzen on Franzen’s dark inner torments

Judging by the critical reaction, Jonathan Franzen Freedom is a Marmite book. But, even those who love Franzen’s latest trip to the heart of America concede that The Corrections is a far superior book. The Corrections is a book of riveting scope, tempestuous depths and exact style: a convincing pretender to the title of ‘Greatest American Novel’. Franzen recognises that he may not surpass his earlier achievement. Much of what he has said in recent interviews has been, frankly, bland. His demeanour has not been wholly dissimilar to say, Jordan’s – I’ve a book to sell, let’s get on with it and kindly keep the banal questions to a minimum.

However, he cuts loose in the latest issue of The Paris Review, making an honest self-assessment that extends far beyond his ability as a writer.