The Corrections

The Corrections cover
Good Books rating 3.93

Technical:
  • ID: 608
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781841156729
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2002-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
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The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen is a panoramic vision of America at the beginning of the 21st century, seen through the turbulent lives of the Lambert family. Enid and Alfred Lambert, along with their three grown-up children, are a family grappling with their own personal struggles and the broader societal issues of greed and globalism. As Alfred's health deteriorates, the family is forced to confront their past failures, secrets, and long-buried hurts, seeking the corrections each desperately needs. The novel spans from the Midwest in the mid-century to Wall Street and Eastern Europe, contrasting old-time America with the modern era of technology and economic change. Franzen's masterful storytelling makes this a profound exploration of the American soul and society. The Corrections is not just a family drama but also a dissection of American society in an age of rapid transformation. It delves into themes of mental health, parenting, and the impact of globalism on personal lives. Through the Lamberts' journey, Franzen captures the essence of a nation in flux, making this novel a timeless piece of literary fiction that resonates with readers.

Reviews
Kara Reviews · Kara Babcock · 2011-12-23
indifferent 2.50

The book is not boring but it doesn't evoke strong emotions. It's a novel that requires the reader to bring their own emotional investment.

Kara Babcock finds the book engaging but not particularly emotionally stirring. She notes that it doesn't inspire much emotion unless the reader is willing to invest their own feelings into it. This makes the reading experience somewhat detached, as the novel's impact is largely dependent on the reader's personal engagement. The book's strength lies in its ability to hold attention without being overly dramatic or sentimental.


Quick quotes

    The Corrections is not boring, but it does not seem to inspire much more emotion than a reader is initially willing to give it.

    Hence, I suspect that the book's appeal is largely dependent on the reader's emotional investment.

    The novel's impact is largely dependent on the reader's personal engagement.

The Guardian · 2010-10-15
poignant 4.50

The book is tragic in most senses of the word, serious and challenging. The emotional depth is particularly poignant, especially through the character of Alfred.

The reviewer finds the book deeply tragic and poignant, highlighting its serious and challenging nature. They particularly appreciate the emotional depth, especially through the character of Alfred, whose dementia adds a layer of complexity and poignancy to the story. The novel's exploration of family dynamics and personal struggles resonates strongly, making it a compelling read that lingers in the mind long after finishing.


Quick quotes

    The book is tragic in most senses of the word.

    It's serious and challenging and poignant.

    Especially when Alfred, in the spite of his dementia, ...

brilliant 4.80

The book is wildly brilliant, funny, and wise, offering a rich cultural analysis. Despite its length, it captivates the reader with its depth and insight.

The reviewer is highly impressed with the book, describing it as wildly brilliant, funny, and wise. They appreciate the rich cultural analysis and the depth of insight it provides. Despite its length, the novel captivates the reader with its engaging narrative and profound exploration of family and societal issues. The reviewer is stunned by how much the book offers, making it a standout piece of literature.


Quick quotes

    The book is wildly brilliant, funny, and wise, a rich feast of cultural analysis.

    Though it runs to almost 600 pages, I'm stunned by how much ...

    The novel captivates the reader with its engaging narrative and profound exploration of family and societal issues.