You know that Franzen book that every seems to think is hot shit? Well, Andi and I tried to buddy read Freedom and it didn’t go well, as illustrated by my emails to Andi…
May 9th, in response to Andi’s idea: Sounds like a plan…especially since it’s scaring me, too! I have nothing else going on, reading-wise, so I’m ready whenever you are.
Later that night: Okay, I’ve plucked the book off of the shelf. Which was totally exhausting, so now I’m going to bed. 
May 11th: I have Officially Started Reading. Although I only made it to page 16 before I had to get ready for work. Hoping to make a bit more progress this evening…
That evening: Nightly update…I’ve made it to page 134, and I’m wondering how many pages of backstory we’re going to have to sit through. Or maybe that is the book? One giant backstory? This isn’t the type of book I typically like…unlikeable characters rehashing their lives. So I’m wondering if anything is going to happen, or if I’m going to have to put up with these awful people and their crap for 400 more pages. Also, while Franzen isn’t a hardship to read, I’m wondering just why, exactly, everyone thinks he’s all that and a bag of chips. Am I letting my prejudices against the story get in the way of my appreciation of his writing? And (if you’ve read this far in the book) the part about 9/11 (it’s on p. 26…the “great national tragedy”) seemed like it was just tossed in there because every book nowadays must have a 9/11 reference (not that all books do…but this one certainly didn’t need to, in my opinion). I’m starting to think there might be an East Coast/West Coast divide over 9/11…in that those of us out West didn’t necessarily feel the same intensity of the day. There was another book I read recently where 9/11 came up a lot (although that was non-fiction, and the person lived in NY) and I felt very disconnected during those discussions. But still, if I was writing this book (cue hysterical laughter) 9/11 would be the last thing I would think about inserting in that scene.
May 12th: So how’s it going? I finished Pathetic Patty’s section, which puts me at page 190 something. And honestly? I could care less about these people. I’ll go on if you want to, but I’m also good with quitting.
And in response to Andi’s agreement to quit (we both happily embraced our quitter-hood): HALLELUJAH! I’m going back to reading The Weird Sisters, who are also dysfunctional, but manage to be quirkily entertaining. And short. I don’t know what Franzen had planned for the next 400 pages, but I don’t much care. Also, he spoiled the hell out War and Peace. He’s on my shit list now. This was fun…we should do it again. Only with a book that’s good enough to finish. 
And then I sat around humming the freedom line from Aretha Franklin’s Think for the rest of the evening. Because freedom from Freedom is a very good thing.
I did read Freedom in its entirety and so while I obviously liked it more than you did, the part right after Patty’s rehashing of her life, etc., gets really rather painful for about 200 pages or so as it gets all cluttered with political/social issues. I don’t regret having read the book but, as I’ve said before, I really preferred The Corrections to Freedom and am not sure why everyone had such a boner for this book. (Am I allowed to say that? Oh well, I did!) Tony started reading it after I had finished with it and he stalled out somewhere around page 300 or so and has said he doesn’t really care to finish it, so you’re in good company!
LOL…you can absolutely say boner on my blog. Unless you’re a spammer.
I’ve heard such great things about The Corrections, but now I’m afraid of Franzen. Not afraid of the writing, but afraid of the possibility of boredom and disappointment.
Share your emails any time. LOVE!
I should have had a reading buddy who have given me permission to abandon the last book I read. Blurgh.
I did like Freedom, but I also have a habit of enjoying books about despicable people. I just can’t stop! Maybe it just makes me feel better about my own life
Lu´s last [type] ..Comic-A-Week- Apr 24-30 – Refresh- Refresh
Haha, those were some entertaining responses! I’m no fan of lengthy backstories either, so this may not be the book for me.
Aths´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon Getting into the swing of things – May 15- 2011
I tried listening to the audiobook of Freedom and couldn’t get past the first disc. Glad to know I’m not the only one who abandoned it.
Beth S.´s last [type] ..In My Mailbox 29
Sometimes it’s best to just put the book down; otherwise you might do bodily harm with it.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- Future Endeavors
I’ll be sharing the other half of this e-mail trail tomorrow. I’m so damn happy we quit. Dear HEAVENS it was painful.
Andi´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon – Gleefully DNFing
That was fun to read. It seems like people either love the book or hate it. I was planning to read it at first when it was all hyped up, but then I started reading the reviews and now I just don’t know if I’m willing to gamble my time on it. There are so many other good books out there higher up on my list.
Alyce´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon – May 15
The more I read about Freedom, the more confused I am about what the plot is supposed to be. Sounds like a bunch of annoying, dysfunctional people living an ordinary contemporary life. Boooring.
EL Fay´s last [type] ..Bookshelves in the Bathroom
Oh Jill, you would not believe the backlash I have heard about this book. I think Sandy summed it up best when she said that after she finished she felt like she needed a shower. I did buy a hardcover copy of this, but now I am pretty sure the only time I will ever read it is when I want to torture myself, which I can’t say will be anytime soon. I am glad that you decided to put it away. There is no reason for you to have to endure such a thing.
Yes I did say that I felt slimy after I read this book. I, being totally into pain and suffering, DID finish this book for my book club. Basically, the only person in our club that liked the damned thing was the guy who insisted we read it. And honestly I think he was just saving face. I spit when I think of this book. You didn’t miss anything, unless you think you needed more kinky sex, unhappy people, and ramblings from a self-absorbed asshole.
Sandy´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- The Calm Before the Storm
I wasn’t sure about this book for the longest time (about more than halfway through) but I ended up liking it and actually cried when it ended. So many people didn’t care it though. I thought I might end up being one but I ended up caring quite a bit for those characters in the end.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Book Blurb Friday- Tow Mater
I’m in the DNF camp on this one! I made it to page 217 …
I did read THE CORRECTIONS (5-6 yrs ago?), wasn’t crazy about it, but didn’t hate it. FREEDOM? I hated! No boners here!
http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2010/12/16/book-review-freedom-by-jonathan-franzen-dnf/
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon- On the Road to Louisa May Alcott’s Fairyland
I got tired of reading about Patty’s thing for Richard and almost quit, but I’m the one who recommended it for book group, so I had to soldier on and it got better. I liked the part where the son uh, lost his wedding ring.
bybee´s last [type] ..The DNF Files- A Terrible Honesty- Mongrel Manhattan in the 1920s
I can top you. I read one page and returned the book today. Yes, it was due today, but if I had liked the one page I would have been a rebel and kept it.
Ti´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon- Where did the weekend go
Revel in your quitter-hood! I will relish my status of never-startin’ this one. Thanks.
Care´s last [type] ..The Doctors’ Plague
He spoiled War and Peace? That bastard! I mean, I like spoilers, but I think it’s mean how people go around spoiling classics willy-nilly as if everyone in the world has read every book in the world. Nobody has read everything! War and Peace is always new to someone! (I don’t know what happens at the end of War and Peace.)
Jenny´s last [type] ..Review- The Bird’s Nest- Shirley Jackson
Good for you for cutting your losses. It seems wrong to ruin W&P though. I guess he thinks that if you take the time to read his book that won’t leave any time for it.
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..April Showers Scrambled Quiz
Loved your post… even though I loved the book. It was one of my favorites last year, but I could never get my thoughts together in any coherent form for a post. The Corrections was a favorite, too.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Tuesday Intro- Disturbing the Peace
I am determined to finish reading this, but I did start it months ago. I’m around 300-something on my nook and just have not been able to move very far in a long time.
Hahahahaha this just had me LOLing at my desk. What an excellent post.
I give you props for having the strength to quit on books. I usually finish them despite complaining the whole way through. My loved ones would probably be happier if I quit so I’d shut up.
Kari´s last [type] ..Empathy for the hopeless ones
I tried reading The Corrections back when it came out, but just couldn’t get into it, and it was a DNF. So I’ve had no urge to read this one.
And, I know what you mean about 9/11 novels, or ones that include heavy references to the events of that day. I have come across so many of those!
Valerie´s last [type] ..Starting Summer With a Bookstore Visit What Could be Better