The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

I only got to page 335 of 653 - this was the first time since we started Ashendon Book Group (January 2005) that I had failed to finish a book. I was, however, brave enough to turn up to our meeting and admit my defeat. 

Turns out I was not alone - of the 9 members who came along last night just 2 had finished this 'tome' of a book. 

It's not really a bad book though. The defence of the non-finisher was more that:

"It was hard to get into." 

"It lacked chapters." 

"It was taking so long that I read it 'diagonally' (not every word".) 

This is a book that takes time and commitment. It's not one to read whilst drying your hair, or for 5 minutes before bed. Mary (a finisher) said it all: "I realised I wouldn't finish if I kept trying to read a couple of pages at a time so I made time for it."

All was not lost as there was still much to discuss from the bits we had read and our discussion was as lively as ever. 

This story is about an American family very much in need of correction from their self-inflicted damage. It is loaded with rich language, numerous incidents and multiple twists and turns. It appears to be well, and extensively, researched and tells the story of an extreme, though not unreal, small town American family. Not one page was turned without having learned even more about the characters and their lives. 

Every character draws emotional response from the reader - here is what we felt:

Enid - was disliked throughout, she was supposed to be a loving mother and yet she let her family down through continual disapproval of her children's failings compared to the neighbours'. Those who did get close to the end of the story softened toward her a little though.

Alfred - as a young father he was not so easy to like, as a sick old man it was easier and it was easy to forgive him his failings as he had Enid to contend with and clearly Denise loved him, and he loved Denise AND we loved Denise...

Denise - she worked hard, was very talented, had some cracking affairs and was continually put down by her mother - why would we not love her too?

Chip - my personal favourite though clearly quite 'off the rails’ and his salmon incident raised the biggest laugh!

Gary - well, the poor man, he tried so hard not to be like his father yet was doomed to failure through his choice of wife - the horribly cruel (evil, nasty, manipulative) Caroline. 

So, would we recommend this book? Well, on balance no, not really - it was depressing and a bit unnecessary and, let's face it, all too easy to give up on.