Author: Jonathan
Franzen
Title: Farther Away: Essays
Description: This
is a book of collected essays that really don’t have much to do with one
another—they just appear to be what he could get together in order to get to
book length. They include a commencement address, a couple of travelogue type
pieces, some book reviews, and some miscellaneous pieces.
Writing style: It
varies. It’s very strong in the personal pieces—probably most strikingly in the
eulogy he gave for David Foster Wallace and in the commencement address. The
book reviews and other occasional pieces have a different voice.
Audience: Franzen
fans.
Major ideas: One
thing I didn’t realize before I read this book was how much Jonathan Franzen is
interested in birds. So, somewhat unexpectedly, several of the pieces here
speak to the preservation of species that are being hunted or that are losing
their habitat.
Wrap-up: A mixed
bag. 3/5*
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