It's not surprising to see in my own work, looking back, and in the work of some of my peers, an attention to family. It's nice to write a book that does tend toward significance and meaning, and where else are you sure of finding it? Jonathan Franzen attentionbackbook share on social
When I finally gave up any hope of doing anything representative of the American family, I actually seemed to have tapped into other people's weirdness in that way. Jonathan Franzen americanfamilyfinally Change image and share on social
We may freak out globally, but we suffer locally. Jonathan Franzen freakgloballylocally Change image and share on social
But as far as being popular, yeah, I think Dave Barry is really funny. Jonathan Franzen barrydavefunny Change image and share on social
I voluntarily inflicted a certain level of insanity on myself. Jonathan Franzen inflictinsanitylevel Change image and share on social
It's just a matter of writing the kind of book I enjoy reading. Something better be happening at the beginning, and then on every page after, or I get irritated. Jonathan Franzen beginbookenjoy Change image and share on social
It seems to me self-evident that if you have a life, things happen in it, and certain things do change; certain things end. People you know die. Jonathan Franzen changedieend Change image and share on social
I was unwise enough to actually mention this in public a few times, and in fact to point out that there were two versions of the book now. One of them had somebody else's name on the cover, one had my name on the cover. Jonathan Franzen bookcoverfact share on social
The Mekons were kind of like the background music of my life. Jonathan Franzen backgroundkindlife Change image and share on social
