Customer Comments

Franzen captures the complex lives of a relatively average suburban American family. Each character is developed so fully that while the audience comes to intimately understand all of his or her most repulsive shortcomings, one can't help but identify with each of them. A beautiful book with poignant dialogue and intricate relationships, Franzen explores the depths of love, purpose, intimacy, happiness, and liberty. An astounding accomplishment, recommended to anyone who is human.

This book is nothing short of incredible. I can't describe Strayed's work as Dear Sugar as that of an advice columnist without feeling I'm slighting Strayed and the beautiful essays she's written here. These are essays, not columns, brimming with compassion and delving into all of life's trickiest mysteries. This is a book I couldn't put down once I'd started it -- it's so profoundly satisfying I'll be reading it again as soon as my best friend gives it back to me.