John Gilbert's Reviews > Crossroads

Very well said, John!

Jodi wrote: "Very well said, John!"

😊

Crossroads is on sale today!! Hurray!

Jodi wrote: "Crossroads is on sale today!! Hurray!"

Enjoy the journey Jodi. Not an easy read, but well worth it I found.

Thanks John! It'll be my first Franzen novel.😬 But it takes place in the same year I was 15 and I, too, was involved in a church group with other teens, so I thought I might be able to relate. Fingers crossed I'll be able to make it through🤞 - I don't normally read such long books (although the one I'm currently reading is >650 pages).

I tried Franzen a long time ago - can not even remember the book - it was a book club read decades ago. I could not tolerate it so DNF and I have avoided him since. But I trust your judgment, John, and I am going to try this, try him again. Life is too short to struggle. I will get to him next year - too much to finish up this year. And I do love screwed up families because mine is so screwed up all the time. Right now, brother and his son are mad at each other (I don't know why - probably money), and great nephew is very angry with my brother and his mother, my brother's daughter in law. I can not keep track and will have ham, potatoes and green bean casserole here on Christmas - brother says he will come. I think nephew and family will go to his mother-in-law's. I should write a book - if Franzen can write about a screwed up family, I can too. Thanks for the good review. Will post later when I read/try to read the Franzen book. Happy holidays . peace, janz

Peacejanz wrote: "I tried Franzen a long time ago - can not even remember the book - it was a book club read decades ago. I could not tolerate it so DNF and I have avoided him since. But I trust your judgment, John,..."

You are brave Janz, sometimes books related to our lives can be extra hard going or bring on a new light. As I said it is not an easy read, but I find his writing insightful and gets inside his characters. They actually move and change, hopefully our own families can too. As for me, no family christmas this year for the first time in my 36th one here in Oz, but sad as it may be, I'm ok with it. Be well Janz.

Thanks, John, for the encouragement. And you are not alone -- all these friends on GR and FB. In fact, I find that am happy when I can go a day without talking to another human being. I failed today - was doing fine until the doc's office called, wanted to know about my secondary insurance. How is health care in Aus.? single payer government like UK or play an insane game of searching for insurance her in USA?
You are never alone with memories and good wishes from others. I already put it on my list at the library and should have it in a day or two. There are 7 different libraries in my county and a van goes on a route around the county every day and picking up books. If the book is in another library and goes on the shelf to be picked up for me and if the van has already been there it waits until tomorrow to get transported to my library and then a day or so to notify me. I do not know all the ins and outs - just depend on the library folks to get stuff for me. What a ramble. But here is truth - I try not to buy books for myself - there are too many here that I have not read yet. I try the library first and then buy if I have to. I buy lots of books to give away.
Enough, thanks for the encouragement - I have learned to live with my family - lots of $ and time with therapy. Hope you are at peace this holiday time and have something good to eat. peace, janz

Peacejanz wrote: "Thanks, John, for the encouragement. And you are not alone -- all these friends on GR and FB. In fact, I find that am happy when I can go a day without talking to another human being. I failed toda..."
Great library system, shit medical one, I'd prefer the latter thanks. I'm a member of four local libraries and now only download ebooks from them, which I love. When my mother in law was still alive, the local library would deliver to our home up to 10 books a week, which she did. I was able to find heaps of good books vicariously this way, especially woman writers from England as that was where she was originally from.

As for medical, Australia is pretty good. Basic medicare for all (we pay some each year with our taxes as a medicare levy) but we also have optional private insurance, gives extra benefits like choosing one's own doctor and hospital expenses. So much better in my view than the US system. When I lived there, you could not actually leave a job without having a new one as you were tied to your job with medical coverage.

And I also like being on my own, my wife and I rarely have visitors, only one daughter and two grandchildren since June. We like it.

You comment made me smile -- all through it. Thanks and happy restful reading holidays. peace, janz

I really wanted to like this book but could not get into it. I stopped. Your review is motivating - perhaps I will go back. Thanks. peace, janz

Peacejanz wrote: "I really wanted to like this book but could not get into it. I stopped. Your review is motivating - perhaps I will go back. Thanks. peace, janz"

Franzen is not an easy writer, nor does he create likeable characters, but they are all real and his writing insightful. I hope you are able to revisit him someday Janz. Ironically he spoke last week right near my home next to UNSW at NIDA, but I was unable to attend. My friend did and said he was excellent. Be well.

Nice write up John!! I thought this book was magic - as you know and you're right, Franzen can certainly write.