After reading The Corrections, Freedom and Purity and adoring all three of them, I firmly consider myself a die-hard Franzen enthusiast. Therefore, it was only natural that I would eventually return to read his debut and sophomore novels. Even though I continuously heard from everyone and their mother that his first two writing endeavors aren't as good and they just aren't like Franzen at all. Well, these people were both right and wrong, at least when it comes to Strong Motion. (I will ultimately pick up The Twenty-Seventh City too, so I will reserve my judgment on that until then).

The first half is undeniably Franzen through and through (even if it is a fledgling Franzen). We are presented with a family drama, a moderately large cast of characters, and his trademark style of jumping back and forth between different storylines. It may not be as tightly crafted as his later work, but this first half contains all the elements that I love about him: intelligent writing, humorous moments, excellent social commentary (which has aged remarkably well considering it was published in the early 90s), and characters that you love to hate and hate to love.

However, the second half devolves into a tiresome lecture about environmental ethics, corporate misdeeds, and exploitative capitalism, causing the character drama to take a backseat until it completely fizzles out and vanishes. Despite consisting of just over 500 pages, for some reason Strong Motion simply doesn't feel as rich as his other works, and the characters end up coming across as missed opportunities. This second half also reeks of Don DeLillo's influence, and no matter how hard I attempted to read through these parts while breathing only through my mouth, I still couldn't overcome their stench.

Strong Motion was Jonathan Franzen's highly anticipated follow-up to his debut novel The Twenty-Seventh City. Published in 1992, this book was remarkably prescient, foreshadowing many of the issues we face today. It delved into themes such as global warming, the contamination of the environment by big industry, and the rise of violent right-to-life movements. The story was engaging from start to finish, showcasing Franzen's unique writing style and his ability to bring conflicted characters and dysfunctional families to life. Strong Motion was a complex tale that intertwined themes of love and environmental catastrophe, with earthquakes serving as a powerful metaphor for the self-destruction that can occur when we忽视 the consequences of our actions.

The book was filled with a diverse cast of characters, each with their own motives and desires. Louis Holland, a passionate musical fan, loses his job at a radio station when it is taken over by a right-to-life movement. He forms a friendship with Renee Seitchek, a principled seismologist at Harvard, who discovers a connection between seismic activity and the secret dumping of toxic waste by a major company. Renee's investigation takes her to the Ipswich area of Boston, where a recent strong motion from a nearby epicenter results in the tragic death of Louis's grandmother. However, her passing also leads to the Holland family inheriting a large sum of money, which brings its own set of complications and responsibilities.

Overall, Strong Motion was a powerful and thought-provoking book that explored the complex relationships between individuals, society, and the environment. Franzen's masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions made it a captivating read that left a lasting impression on the reader. As we continue to grapple with many of the same issues today, Strong Motion serves as a timely reminder of the importance of taking personal responsibility and working towards a more sustainable future.

It is truly magnificent. However, the German translation is rather pitiful. It's a pity that despite the grandeur of the original, the German version fails to do it justice. One would expect a translation to accurately convey the essence and beauty of the original text. But in this case, it seems that something has been lost in the process. Maybe it's the nuances of the language, or perhaps it's a lack of understanding of the cultural context. Whatever the reason, it's a disappointment. We can only hope that in the future, more care and attention will be given to the translation process to ensure that the true spirit of the original work is preserved.

Franzen is a remarkable writer who delves deep into the human experience. He writes about what he knows, never straying too far from his personal and real-life inspirations. His novels are rich with the highs and lows of everyday existence, filled with characters who are both intelligent and flawed. In "Strong Motion," we see this vividly. The characters, like Renée and Louis, are complex and relatable, with their insecurities and bad habits on full display. Franzen's writing style is unique, trimming the fat only in a structural and grammatical sense while still maintaining a sense of authenticity. His use of dialogue and inner monologue adds depth to the story and makes the characters come alive. The book also explores themes such as love, loss, and the meaning of life, all while keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.

One of the things that makes Franzen's writing so great is his ability to create a sense of realism. The characters and their situations feel genuine, as if they could exist in the real world. This is especially true in "Strong Motion," where the story takes place in a world that is both familiar and strange. The earthquakes that occur throughout the book add an element of danger and uncertainty, making the reader feel as if they are right there with the characters. Franzen also does a great job of exploring the relationships between the characters, showing how they interact and how their actions affect one another.

Overall, "Strong Motion" is a great book that showcases Franzen's talent as a writer. It may not be his best work, but it is definitely one of his most memorable. The story is engaging, the characters are well-developed, and the themes are thought-provoking. If you're a fan of modern literature, then this is a book that you won't want to miss. It will take you on a journey through the lives of its characters, making you laugh, cry, and think about the world around you.