Crossroads by Jonathan FranzenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Jonathan Franzen continues to establish himself as one of the definitive literary voices of his generation. "Crossroads" delves into the psychological angst of growing up and raising children amid a hypocrisy-laden structure in a time of tremendous cultural upheaval. Like Franzen's "The Corrections" and "Freedom," the writing pulses with rich dialogue, fascinating character development and sly cultural insifght.
Set in 1970s small-town Illinois, "Crossroads" centers around a family whose father is a minister at a powerful church. In addition to its numerous other connotations, the title serves as the name of the edgy youth group, which shepherds teens into channels of emotional expression and spiritual searches as a distraction from the allure of drugs and booze.
I was captivated throughout. Franzen's characters are all dense and soulful, and his writing shifts to guide you toward sensing their yearnings and drives as you see similar situations from differing perspectives. His clever narrative design allows for sudden flashbacks, insightful streams of consciousness and distanced, third-person bridges that allow you to lose yourself in his steady, confident storytelling.
Arresting themes emerge, as the parents and childrens come of age in intertwining paths. Deception, trust, religious-driven masking of psychological issues and sexual repression. It all flows naturally, with arresting storytelling threads pulling you along at high speed.
The first part of a proposed trilogy, "Crossroads" was a tantalizing effort, and by far my favorite of Franzen's considerable roster of novels thus far.
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