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Crossroads

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Crossroads

By: Jonathan Franzen
Narrated by: David Pittu
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About this listen

‘His best novel yet … A Middlemarch-like triumph’ Telegraph‘A pleasure bomb of a novel’ Vogue ‘A true modern master’ Independent

It’s 23 December 1971, and the Hildebrandts are at a crossroads. Fifteen-year-old Perry has resolved to be a better person and quit dealing drugs to seventh graders. His sister Becky, the once straight-laced high school social queen, has veered into counterculture, while at college, Clem is wrestling with a decision that might tear his family apart. As their parents – Russ, a suburban pastor, and Marion, his restless wife – tug against the bonds of a joyless marriage, Crossroads finds a family, and a nation, struggling to do the right thing.

‘Funny, moving, crackling with life, it has what all great fiction should have’ Financial Times

‘Intoxicating – a luxuriant domestic drama’ Guardian

THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A GUARDIAN BEST FICTION BOOK OF 2021 • AN INDEPENDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR • A WHITE REVIEW BOOK OF THE YEAR • A LIT HUB BOOK OF THE YEAR

©2021 Jonathan Franzen (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Marriage Inspiring
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Having finally finished Crossroads I just feel relief. I know Franzen has mastery of his craft, but I struggled to like or identify with any of the characters (except perhaps Clem). As a satire it was particularly brutal and I suspect that having grown up in Australia, where Christianity is less intrusive, I simply had my prejudices reinforced. Here was a family of Christians who seemed to ignore the tenets of their faith and I felt little sympathy for their wallowing self loathing. I was also jarred by the level of hatred being spewed. Perhaps I missed the point...cultural differences and all that, but I won’t be hanging out for the two other volumes of the trilogy.

I wanted to like this but I didn’t

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A heavy slow burn touching on a multitude of sociocultural issues. Great fun. “Page turner” is that applicable here? Addictive! That’s the one.

Epic.

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This story is long and satisfying as it delves into this family with all its nuances and idiosyncrasies. With the backdrop of the 70s, women’s liberation movement, racism and religion, a fantastic read.

A rich saga

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A wonderful exploration of faith and choice and consequences. Feels like Franzen didn’t know how to end it but more than worth the Journey.

Near Perfect

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Fantastic story - it is as good as The Corrections! Full of twists and turns and not a dull moment. I could not stop listening….

Fantastic book!

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