Mbla mbla mbla, the evil capitalism, mbla mbla, the layoffs, mbla mbla mbla, where is the train of technology taking us, mbla mbla, the decline of the institution of the family, mbla.

I don't like to speak badly of Jonathan because I have read two of his books ("Corrections" and "Freedom") and both excited me. However, with this particular one, I found it dark. Trimmed stories, dull themes, uninspired dialogues, thin psychology (I didn't expect this from you, Jonathan) and all this for over 600 pages. Not a little for a book that already started to tire me from the 200th page.

It's not that it's bad, but it is, slightly pointless and tiring. The only thing that saves it are some specific points where you see the famous Franzen waking up and saying something nice, something that reminds you of "Corrections". But okay, that's not a reason to read the book.

Also, the worst translation. I don't easily say bad things about translations because I understand that it is an extremely difficult job, but this one was simply bad.

I have to say I'm somewhat torn on this novel from Franzen for a couple of reasons. First of all, having read his more famous works, I'm committing the sin I try to avoid of reading authors backwards and always being disappointed in their less popular/acclaimed works. However, given the critical acclaim this received at the time (1992), I was more at ease with doing so, merely because I had forgotten about it when I read the rest of his works.

This is a large effort and the 508 pages of this paperback edition is misleading. The type is small and would be closer to the 700 page mark with conventional sizing. Also, the scope of the work is huge and involves many plot narratives that seem to quickly spin off, only a couple of which find their way back. This would be my chief critique of the book: that it seems like in the interest of providing backstory or enlivening the main cast of the work, Franzen is having to stretch and being forced to do so as opposed to allowing it to flow more gracefully. As a result, even though we hear more about them, the characters sometimes become less interesting, and the backstory doesn't help to give any more depth or clarity to the character in question.

However, the main narrative of the work is fantastic and combines elements of religion and secularism, environmental protection vs. corporate profit motives, and family strife combined with social strife, all the while maintaining a metaphorical connection to the book's seismological title and events. The last 100 or so pages are thrilling and quite engaging, tying together several disparate themes and narratives presented earlier. Also, throughout the work, this is still Franzen-level analysis and the depth of the backstories I mentioned above (though somewhat futile efforts) are still wonderful interpersonal and societal analysis.

If you are already a Franzen fan then this is definitely for you. For those who had a passing interest in his more well-known works - The Corrections, Freedom, Purity - I'm not quite certain this will be to your liking. The narrative is quite strong, but at least for me the characters were somewhat forgettable here. That is certainly not the case with the rest of his output. 3.5 stars, I rounded up.

I have always had a deep and profound love for Franzen. His works have always had a special charm that draws me in and keeps me engaged from start to finish. However, this particular book has made me question the very essence of my love for him.

At first glance, I was excited to pick up this new offering, expecting the same level of brilliance and depth that I have come to associate with his name. But as I delved deeper into the pages, something felt off. The story didn't seem to flow as smoothly as his previous works, and the characters didn't resonate with me in the same way.

I found myself constantly second-guessing my initial reaction, wondering if it was just a momentary lapse in judgment or if there was something more fundamental that had changed. Maybe my expectations were too high, or perhaps Franzen was simply exploring new territory and I wasn't quite ready for it.

Despite my misgivings, I am still reluctant to give up on my love for Franzen. I know that every artist has their off days, and I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I will continue to read his works, hoping to rediscover the magic that first made me fall in love with him.

My first encounter wasn't the best.

It was a rather disappointing experience. I had high hopes at the beginning, but things didn't turn out as expected.

There were some misunderstandings and difficulties that made the whole situation a bit awkward.

However, I believe that every experience is a learning opportunity.

Although this first encounter wasn't ideal, it has taught me some valuable lessons.

I have become more aware of what to expect and how to handle similar situations in the future.

Let's hope for something better in the future.

I'm looking forward to new opportunities and encounters that will bring more positive experiences and growth.

Maybe the next time will be the one that exceeds my expectations and leaves a lasting impression.

Only time will tell, but I'm ready to face whatever comes my way with an open mind and a positive attitude.

How far into a book is it reasonable before one gives up?

I managed approximately 200 pages into "Strong Motion" before finally deciding to stop. I could only read it in 20-page increments as it was dreadfully dull.

Usually, I like to provide a brief summary of the book before writing a review, but almost halfway through this one, I simply couldn't offer one. Is there a plot? I highly doubt it.

The main character is an extremely arrogant loser who is not the least bit interesting. There is something about an earthquake, environmentalism, and well, not much else.

I read several positive reviews of "Strong Motion" to see if I was overlooking something. Most of them discuss how Franzen creates an atmosphere, a vision of a cynical and crumbling world. However, the only emotion I could muster was boredom. There were very brief moments when Franzen actually gave his characters something meaningful to say, but these moments were so short that they couldn't possibly make up for the unendurable tedium one has to endure to reach them.

It reminds me of other writers like Thomas Pynchon, who are regarded by some as modern literary geniuses. I much prefer plot-driven books to these so-called atmospheric and directionless novels. Maybe I'm missing something, or perhaps this book was just as dull as I suspected it to be.

I finally managed to make my way through this enormous and astonishing epic of a book. I'm well aware that I frequently claim to love books here. However, this one is distinct. For starters, it has convinced me that Jonathan Franzen is a visionary genius (a belief I was far from holding before I picked up this particular work). The writing is incredibly precise and dense, yet simultaneously captivating and highly readable. The issues he grapples with are of great magnitude (such as coming of age after college, love, commitment, the relationships between parents and their adult children, abortion, corporate greed, and environmental hazards), and the characters he employs to depict them are extraordinarily deep.

There are resonances of numerous things within these pages. Most明显 (at least to me, and I'm certain that Franzen is eighty million times smarter than I could ever even imagine myself to be, so I won't even attempt to dissect what he has truly accomplished here as it seems truly indigestible) White Noise and Henry James. But all of these echoes are so skillfully placed that they make the book feel more alive than derivative (unlike my least favorite "reference" book, The Hours, which, in my opinion, is just a clever gimmick pulled off by a smart writer).

Caveat: There is a fair amount of complaining about "what will I do with my life" type of matters, and one can almost sense the author experiencing this dilemma along with his characters. If this bothers you, then perhaps it would be advisable to wait before reading this book.

I firmly believe that this book should be compulsory reading for every college graduate and for everyone who has ever felt lost, insignificant, lacking in identity, and powerless. So, anyone with intelligence should read this book. And invest a significant amount of time in it. I'm notoriously impatient, yet I have spent the past month with this novel to great benefit.

It is most definitely well worth the time it demands of you.

I really liked this book a great deal. It may not quite measure up to "Freedom" or "Purity," but that just goes to show that Franzen is improving with the passage of time.

This work is extremely well-researched, and it presents all of its diverse investigation paths, such as earthquakes, abortion, and environmental law, in a very engaging manner. What interests me is that "Freedom" and "The Corrections" didn't have a tightly plotted storyline, yet this one and "Purity" did, to a great extent.

There is also a good deal of classic Franzen humor. I found myself laughing in the laundromat while reading the scene where Renee meets with Louis' mother.

The last Franzen novel that I have left to read is his first one, "The Twenty-Seventh City." I really don't want to finish reading his works! I'm looking forward to seeing what his debut novel has in store.

In 2012, my favorite novel was Franzen's "The Corrections". In 2013, it was Franzen's "Freedom".

Will Franzen be able to maintain his top spot on my best list in 2014?

Unfortunately, my answer this time is: No!

Although the genius still shines through from time to time, Franzen does not reach the virtuosity of his later works here. But hey, when "Strong Motion" was published in 1992, Franzen was only 32 years old. Let someone try to match that.

And here's what it's about:

The radio technician Louis Holland moves to Boston to be with his family when, shortly after his arrival, an earthquake shakes the region. The seismologist Renée Seitchek suspects that a local chemical company is causing the earthquakes. When Louis and Renée come together, their relationship experiences its own unique turbulences.

As in "The Corrections" and "Freedom", this is also about a dysfunctional family from the academic upper class. Other recurring themes in his bibliography, such as criticism of growth and capitalism, environmental destruction, depression, and the reflection of the zeitgeist, run through the novel, which is told in the classic Franzen style from constantly changing perspectives.

Sometimes there is a historical digression, sometimes a section about artificial intelligence, and for a few pages, you even experience it from the perspective of a raccoon!

Almost all of the main characters have a massive character arc, which is quite entertaining for the reader in a voyeuristic-sadistic way.

You can't get rid of the feeling that Franzen enjoys making his characters suffer. Although in my opinion, he goes too far here and there.

What doesn't work so well for him in "Strong Motion" is a consistent narrative rhythm. Especially the first half of the novel is very tedious to read due to the lack of chapters.

You have to be careful not to skip over the passages that are sometimes written admirably during the tougher passages, which keep popping up here and there and make up the success of his later novels.

A central theme of the novel is the juxtaposition of religion and science, presented here in the debate between seismologists and anti-abortion activists. This discussion feels much less explosive and a bit dusty twenty years after the book was published.

Conclusion - Franzen for Advanced Readers
"Strong Motion" is not an easy book. But if you bring understanding and perseverance, you can definitely gain a lot from this 600-page novel.

The observant reader will sense the potential that Franzen has that led to the success of his later works. However, for those who have not yet had any contact with the author's bibliography, I would recommend reading "The Corrections" or "Freedom" first. "Strong Motion" is Franzen for advanced readers.

awesomatik Curiosity
If Jonathan Franzen can do one thing, it's write. So, for those who have ambitions in this area, they should take his ten writing rules to heart:

1. The reader is a friend, not an adversary, not a spectator.

2. Fiction that isn't an author's personal adventure into the frightening or the unknown isn't worth writing for anything but money.

3. Never use the word "then" as a conjunction – we have "and" for this purpose. Substituting "then" is the lazy or tone-deaf writer's non-solution to the problem of too many "ands" on the page.

4. Write in the third person unless a really distinctive first-person voice offers itself irresistibly.

5. When information becomes free and universally accessible, voluminous research for a novel is devalued along with it.

6. The most purely autobiographical fiction requires pure invention. Nobody ever wrote a more autobiographical story than "The Metamorphosis".

7. You see more sitting still than chasing after.

8. It's doubtful that anyone with an internet connection at his workplace is writing good fiction [the TIME magazine cover story detailed how Franzen physically disables the Net portal on his writing laptop].

9. Interesting verbs are seldom very interesting.

10. You have to love before you can be relentless.

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Während "Die 27. Stadt", obwohl auch ein gutes Buch, noch etwas ungeschliffen daherkommt, ist in Jonathan Franzens zweitem Roman schon der Stil zu entdecken, der später in "Die Korrekturen" und vor allem "Freiheit" so meisterhaft vollends zur Entfaltung kommt.

Franzen zeigt bereits hier, dass er ein herausragender Schriftsteller ist. Es gelingt ihm wie nur wenigen Autoren, den Leser in seine Figuren eindringen zu lassen. Man kann ihre Probleme durchleben, selbst wenn man sich nicht einwandfrei mit einem Charakter identifizieren kann. Gleichzeitig gibt er ein kritisches Sittengemälde unserer Zeit wieder.

Dieser Roman ist also für alle Fans von Franzens späteren Werken absolut empfehlenswert. Man kann hier bereits die Anfänge seines einzigartigen Stils entdecken und sich in die Welt seiner Figuren eintauchen. Es ist ein Buch, das man nicht entgehen lassen sollte, wenn man an guter Literatur interessiert ist.

A tour de force of storytelling and unbelievably profound insights into technical matters, this work is truly remarkable. The inside and backstory about how corporations become corrupt is presented in a way that rings true, and it also delves into the human elements that shape such a phenomenon. Franzen is indeed one of the greatest modern American novelists. The story is told from the perspectives of flawed yet interesting protagonists, highlighting the excesses of industry that lead to catastrophic consequences. It offers a thought-provoking exploration of various aspects. I have only his latest work left to read, and I am eagerly anticipating it, hoping to gain more from his masterful storytelling and incisive commentary on society and human nature.

This was an incredibly deep, thoughtful, intelligent, and funny novel. I couldn't help but notice some similarities with the great Don DeLillo.

It begins with Louis Holland, a rather sad and pathetic young man. He falls for seismologist Renee Seitcheck when she is investigating a recent earthquake.

From there, it takes on the form of an odd sort of industry/scientific thriller, with a religious/pro-life element thrown in as well. Set in and around the Boston area, every location is finely detailed, and each page is brimming with energy and life.

The dialogue between the main characters is excellent, especially that of Melanie, Louis' mother, who is a memorable character. At times, the technical aspects are so detailed that it feels like you're being educated about seismology.

Franzen has achieved what many other writers fail to do. He has written a 500+ page novel that I never once found boring. In fact, I wanted more because it was just so enjoyable.

This novel is a true gem that combines elements of different genres to create a unique and engaging story. It keeps you on the edge of your seat while also making you think and feel. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.

I discovered this to be an extremely excellent read.

The central issue revolves around the irresponsible deeds of a chemical company. Their ultra deep digging in the Boston area is giving rise to earthquakes. Boston is not typically renowned as an area where earthquakes are commonplace. So, when the tremors commence there, there is a great deal of fear within the community.

A post-doc in Seismology from Harvard University is of the belief that she can demonstrate that the company is culpable and enlists the assistance of her unemployed boyfriend. The matter is further complicated by the fact that his mother has inherited shares in the company, and his sister is the partner of the son of one of the main executives.

Adding to the complexity of the story are the usual dysfunctional families and the anti-abortion campaign led by a minister who endeavors to persuade the public that God has dispatched the earthquakes to penalize the population for permitting abortions to occur.

The story unfolds at a rapid pace and maintained my interest right through to the conclusion.