Vinay, I know you do not read these comments. But your writing is so good, it cries for a copyeditor because your copyediting is NOT good. Isaac Asimov could type a draft on a manual typewriter once and have it be flawless. You are not he. I volunteered to copyedit your stuff when you first started this stack and I am still doing so. There is just no reason for high quality thinking to be deprecated by really bad grammar/spelling/punctuation. So I offer once a year, more or less, to do this, just in case you ever read comments.
Thanks for the review of this novel. I do love Donna Tartt so I'm excited to explore Franzen. A recommendation for you, All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Wonderful writing and storytelling. It is on my top 5 along with The Goldfinch.
VP. So good. I loved this book. You made me want to read it again and then re-read this article. You need to give up medicine and get a job at The New Yorker. Keep it up.
Not so sure America left God behind. But then I’m the son of a pre-boomer who drilled the same 2000 year old values into me and I into my children. Fortunately our house missed the boomer bullshit.
I’ll read the book, but will probably not feel much sympathy for folks who seem to only worry about themselves and don’t realize that the way to be happy it to sacrifice for and help others.
It’s just not that complicated, if you hew closely to age old verities.
Wish I had learned earlier on that helping others is the key to happiness. My parents didn't seem to know it though, so how could they pass it on? At least I know it now. And I too am not sure America has left God behind. Many of my age have left organized Christianity behind, but that's not the same as leaving God behind.
Dr. Prasad, I really am not sure what your worldview is and what God you believe in. But, my encouragement is to turn to the Bible. It really does hold the truth on who God is and puts everything into reality.
I recommend starting with the book of Genesis and Exodus, then reading one of the gospels (Matthew is very historical and goes through in a sequential manner versus John is more prose and artistic), then finishing with some of Paul’s books (I think Romans, Ephesians and Galatians). If you supplement it with a study bible from John MacArthur, that will really help.
Either way, always love your posts and I hope you keep them up.
WTF, Vinay? You may be overthinking this. Life is a bucket of irony, you just need to embrace it. Nobody has the answers. I do not have your genetic makeup or your upbringing or your educational background or your experiences. NOBODY DOES. Likewise for all 8,000,000,000 other idiots on earth. Figure out what matters to you and embrace it. That's as good as it gets.
This is a fascinating reading of Crossroads, especially the idea that the family’s personal crossroads reflects a much larger American shift. Marion’s character also sounds incredibly complex and memorable. What do you think Franzen wanted readers to understand most through her story?
My husband is an avid reader of a wide variety of literary types. I bought a Donna Tartt novel after hearing Dr. Prasad’s review. I will buy Crossroads for him now.
I so loved Crossroads, I checked Franzen's age when I finished to calculate how many years he might have to write the second and third. It stuns me that a man whose been accused of misogyny and patriarchal snobbery (I mean, he did sniff at Oprah...) writes women with such humor and affection. Marion's secret suffering and her attempts to be a decent wife and mother despite it all -- he made me sympathize even when I was exasperated. Totally human. The daughter's rage...Just horrifying and real. I am waiting for Crossroads II
Vinay, I know you do not read these comments. But your writing is so good, it cries for a copyeditor because your copyediting is NOT good. Isaac Asimov could type a draft on a manual typewriter once and have it be flawless. You are not he. I volunteered to copyedit your stuff when you first started this stack and I am still doing so. There is just no reason for high quality thinking to be deprecated by really bad grammar/spelling/punctuation. So I offer once a year, more or less, to do this, just in case you ever read comments.
Thanks for the review of this novel. I do love Donna Tartt so I'm excited to explore Franzen. A recommendation for you, All the Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Wonderful writing and storytelling. It is on my top 5 along with The Goldfinch.
VP. So good. I loved this book. You made me want to read it again and then re-read this article. You need to give up medicine and get a job at The New Yorker. Keep it up.
Adam
Not so sure America left God behind. But then I’m the son of a pre-boomer who drilled the same 2000 year old values into me and I into my children. Fortunately our house missed the boomer bullshit.
I’ll read the book, but will probably not feel much sympathy for folks who seem to only worry about themselves and don’t realize that the way to be happy it to sacrifice for and help others.
It’s just not that complicated, if you hew closely to age old verities.
I wish you well and may God have mercy on us all.
Wish I had learned earlier on that helping others is the key to happiness. My parents didn't seem to know it though, so how could they pass it on? At least I know it now. And I too am not sure America has left God behind. Many of my age have left organized Christianity behind, but that's not the same as leaving God behind.
Dr. Prasad, I really am not sure what your worldview is and what God you believe in. But, my encouragement is to turn to the Bible. It really does hold the truth on who God is and puts everything into reality.
I recommend starting with the book of Genesis and Exodus, then reading one of the gospels (Matthew is very historical and goes through in a sequential manner versus John is more prose and artistic), then finishing with some of Paul’s books (I think Romans, Ephesians and Galatians). If you supplement it with a study bible from John MacArthur, that will really help.
Either way, always love your posts and I hope you keep them up.
Just when I thought I couldn't hold you in higher regard, you write this about one of my favorite authors and books....
WTF, Vinay? You may be overthinking this. Life is a bucket of irony, you just need to embrace it. Nobody has the answers. I do not have your genetic makeup or your upbringing or your educational background or your experiences. NOBODY DOES. Likewise for all 8,000,000,000 other idiots on earth. Figure out what matters to you and embrace it. That's as good as it gets.
Doctor, I enjoyed your “review” and now plan to read this classic novel.
This is a fascinating reading of Crossroads, especially the idea that the family’s personal crossroads reflects a much larger American shift. Marion’s character also sounds incredibly complex and memorable. What do you think Franzen wanted readers to understand most through her story?
My husband is an avid reader of a wide variety of literary types. I bought a Donna Tartt novel after hearing Dr. Prasad’s review. I will buy Crossroads for him now.
Really interesting idea for a story.
You write so well
I never got through a Franzen book, but Donna Tartt is great.
I so loved Crossroads, I checked Franzen's age when I finished to calculate how many years he might have to write the second and third. It stuns me that a man whose been accused of misogyny and patriarchal snobbery (I mean, he did sniff at Oprah...) writes women with such humor and affection. Marion's secret suffering and her attempts to be a decent wife and mother despite it all -- he made me sympathize even when I was exasperated. Totally human. The daughter's rage...Just horrifying and real. I am waiting for Crossroads II
Longtime reader and admirer of your medical insights.
I'll give Crossroads a listen, but I was completely underwhelmed by The Goldfinch.
Since it's the navel-gazing Boomers, I'm afraid that we can simply blame them for their missteps at every decision point.
Your efforts, on the other hand, are greatly appreciated.