63 pages • 2 hours read
Crossroads
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Book Brief
586
Novel • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen focuses on the Hildebrandt family in 1970s suburban Chicago. The novel delves into the lives of Russ, an associate pastor, and Marion, a stay-at-home mother, along with their children Clem, Becky, and Perry, exploring each member's personal struggles and relationships. Russ considers an affair, Marion confronts past trauma, Clem contemplates as the Vietnam War looms, Becky grapples with faith and love, and Perry battles drug addiction. The stories interweave as the family faces challenges and changes, revealing complex emotional dynamics and moral dilemmas. The book includes discussions of drug use, sexual assault, and suicide.
Contemplative
Emotional
Melancholic
Mysterious
Reviews & Readership
70,462 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jonathan Franzen's Crossroads is praised for its rich character development and intricate, heart-wrenching family dynamics. Critics commend Franzen's masterful storytelling and keen social observations. However, some find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally cumbersome. Overall, it is a thought-provoking exploration of human relationships and moral complexities.
Who Should Read Crossroads?
A reader who enjoys Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen likely appreciates character-driven literary fiction with complex family dynamics and moral quandaries. Fans of Franzen's previous works like The Corrections and those who enjoy Jonathan Safran Foer's Here I Am or Jeffrey Eugenides' The Marriage Plot will find it compelling.
70,462 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Russ Hildebrandt
Russ Hildebrandt
An associate minister at First Reformed Church who faces moral dilemmas and a strained marriage; his actions lead to familial conflict and personal regrets. He is the father of the Hildebrandt family, navigating personal challenges and trying to reconnect with his relatives.
Clem Hildebrandt
Clem Hildebrandt
The oldest Hildebrandt sibling known for holding high moral standards and being principled, though sometimes inflexible. He undergoes a journey of balancing moral integrity with personal relationships.
Becky Hildebrandt
Becky Hildebrandt
The popular and kind second child of the Hildebrandt family, known for her beauty and connections in New Prospect. She seeks independence and grapples with family tensions and personal identity.
Perry Hildebrandt
Perry Hildebrandt
The intelligent but misunderstood third Hildebrandt child, who struggles with deep-seated moral and spiritual questions. His journey is marked by internal conflicts and the influence of external pressures.
586
Novel • Fiction
Chicago, Illinois • 1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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