Mark Porton's Reviews > Crossroads

I will try and keep this brief (Terry) because no review can justify Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen. It’s been a few days and I am still loitering about in 1970s Chicago with the Hildebrandt family.

Russ Dad, he’s an assistant minister at some sort of modern church. He has 4 kids and is married to Marion. It’s a tired marriage. He’s a resentful man – and is particularly jealous of a fellow minister, Rick. They don’t talk – mutual animosity. Russ fancies a widow called Frances; I must say she does sound a tad sporty, and she flirts with him too. It seems Russ might be ripe for the picking. The church kids – and his own kids, think Russ is a bit of a sap. We’re not sure what Frances thinks of him.

Marion Doesn’t seem to have much joy in her life and it’s easy to feel sad for her lot. I think she’s a terrific mum. But when a marriage aint working it’s a real case of 1+1= - 4, rather than 1+1=4. Many of us know all about that. Marion has obviously ‘grown apart’ (how often to you hear that?) from her husband and vice versa. She’s particularly close to Perry – kid number 3. Marion’s back story is one of the best parts of the book, almost a novel within a novel.

The kids from oldest to youngest. Clem goes to university, avoided the Vietnam draft. Has a passionate affair with a girl at uni. He has the strongest of bonds with Becky - kid number 2. My eldest is called Becky – so I am automatically in love with her – bright, beautiful, has a presence – she gets mixed up with a decent guy in a church band called Tanner (he has my seal of approval). Kid number 3 is Perry - he’s unforgettable. I think he’s about 9 when we first meet him – he has a MASSIVE intellect, but with that comes a lot of other stuff – he’s a troubled boy. If it makes you high – he’ll get it and sell it. Then there’s the youngest Judson - he’s almost an extra (in my view) cute kid – his main relationships are with mum and Perry.

Throw this lot into the 1970s – and the politics of a thriving church, and a youth group with all the shenanigans associated with that. Also, characters like Rick – (the guy Russ hates, yes – hates) – who just so happens to be charismatic, interesting, interested and a people magnet. The ‘dangerous’ widow, Frances adds to the excitement and intrigue.

There are also some fascinating interactions with Navajo tribes – we see that when the youth groups visit their land to ‘help’ with works and maintenance as part of their Christian obligations. This part of the story really made me think of how ‘us’ white people think, and often patronise, First Nations people – all with the best intentions. But we are often hopelessly misguided. It really confuses me how to best handle matter – I feel all at sea.

Faith does play a significant role in this and as a non-believer, I was initially worried. But the deep dive into faith and how the characters deal with their beliefs, was to me, so very interesting. It was so well done; I believe I have a slightly better understanding of the smoke and mirrors (to me) of this aspect of the human condition. That’s a good thing methinks.

Overall – just brilliant. I was thrilled to learn recently this is the first of an eagerly anticipated trilogy as the near-600 pages of this chunkster was nowhere near enough.

5 Stars

Note to a mate: Tezza sorry – I promised less than 400 words, I seem to have checked in at 624. I couldn’t help it! Try reading every second word – it’ll probably make just as much sense 🤗