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.