Understanding Jonathan Franzen

"Perhaps no other contemporary American author elicits such pronounced responses as Franzen, but in this illuminating study, Timothy W. Galow accessibly and deftly argues for us to separate the public persona of Franzen from the complexity of his fiction. Focusing on the major novels of Franzen's career, Galow charts the layered and aesthetically nuanced work of a novelist fascinated by falsity, binaries, and changing socioeconomic patterns in American society."—Paul Gagliardi, Marquette University

"Understanding John Franzen is a road map for those who want to learn about Franzen's life and his highly controversial characters. Galow provides summaries and offers discussion of The 27th Century, Strong Motion, The Correction, Freedom, and Purity that question literary stereotypes and recurrent themes found in Franzen's novels. I have no doubt readers will be entertained by this must-read glimpse into Franzen and his life through Galow's detailed and entertaining story."—Dolores Greenawalt, Carroll University