Like stories of narcissists? You'll love this.

I loved the two previous Franzen books and looked forward to this. However, right now I am struggling to put into words my feelings about this book. It is enough for me that I had to keep making myself listen - it felt like hard work rather than a pleasure to continue. I didn't like any of the characters, they were all annoying or loathsome or both. None of their characterisations rang true to me - they all seemed contrived to the point of being incredible. Much has been said of Franzen's inability to write women but the men were no more or less credible here.

The narrators were all fine except for the ridiculous way the Germans, when speaking German to one another, spoke in 'Cherman' accents.

There was of course some lovely writing (and some not-so lovely writing - what, no editors?) and a couple of laughs but overall, a struggle for this listener..

10 people found this helpful

Unbelievable, pornographic, beguiling...

If you’ve listened to books by Jonathan Franzen before, how does this one compare?

I hadn't read any Franzen before. The interview at the end of the audio book was a love-in for white American middle aged men. They avoided talking about all the sex which took up about 50% of the story.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The male and female readers brought out the gender and age differences well.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I got caught up in this book, but then found myself bored and irritated. The sex went on and on, and was written from a very male perspective. The character of Andreas Wolf was not believable whether he was having sex or masturbating - which he did frequently. Annabel was much more believable in terms of her self-obsession, and the conversations between her and Tom as she drew him into her world were masterly and disturbing. Her extreme position on the world, renouncing all her wealth, was much less believable, and her return to her expensive tastes towards the end of the book were unconvincing. Pip was more interestingly conflicted and unsure of herself, with a believable adolescent idealism to begin with. Endearing until Franzen had to fantasise about Wolf and she having sex and then she became a cardboard cut out - he really doesn't do women and sex well, except perhaps as pornography for middle aged men reliving their imaginary youth. There was an attempt to give Pip a happy ending which was trite, first she tries to get them to be reconciled, and then her parents pick up their arguments as if the 20+ years of separation had never happened.

Any additional comments?

Well I did finish it, although the long drawn out story palled eventually. If I'd been reading a print version, probably I would not have. I am not a techie, but I don't think Franzen is either, the technical details were patchy, and the part of the plot about the Sunlight Project exposing secrets was poorly supported with convincing detail. Perhaps prolific and successful male American writers don't need to do research, even when they could afford to employ a researcher.. Would I recommend this book? Well that depends on your taste in pornography, and your gender probably. Up to you!

7 people found this helpful

What does it take to be pure?

Any additional comments?

Pip Tyler (real name Purity) doesn't know who her father is, what her birth date is or why her mother is so determined to keep her ex-husband and daughter apart. Pip is stuck in a deadend job in small town Calfornia and is saddled with crushing student debt. She lives in a squat where she meets an East German woman (and the latter's radical friends) who describes to Pip an idealistic political organisation in Bolivia called the Sunshine Foundation, run by the charismatic German Andreas Wolff, who bears some resemblance to Julian Assange. Pip takes up the offer of an internship with the organisation in the belief that Wolff could help her to find her father.

During the course of a complex and deeply satisfyng plot, Pip comes to understand the nature of her relationhip with her mother, falls in love with Andreas( who uses her for his own political and personal reasons) and falls prey to the glamour of political idealism and investigative journalism. When Pip returns to the USA Wolff deliberately and vindictively 'leaks' information to Pip about his past and the role of her new employer in it,and she is forced to examine her morals, her beliefs and the 'purity' of her own existence and her family history, both past and present.

A hugely enjoyable novel which allows you to become submerged in wonderful characterisations, historical detail and a believable plot. It is a very long book but well worth the time you need to invest in it. Franzen at his best and there is an added bonus of an interview with him about the book.

2 people found this helpful

Unnecessarily long

It was too long in so many places and that really reduced my enjoyment overall. I was dying to get some parts over with as quickly as possible so I could get back to the story!!

1 person found this helpful

I love it! All of it, all the time!

If you could sum up Purity in three words, what would they be?

Truth hurts and mends our lives, this story helped in realizing that.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Purity

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

All the delightful emotions

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Pride of beeing who I am

1 person found this helpful

5 stars all the way

Like his previous novels I loved Purity. His writing is sublime. He gets under the skin completely and manages to get all the complexities and nuances of human beings and their relationships. While he tackles some major issues of today’s society. The reading performances were also outstanding which means a lot when you listen to audiobooks.

An epic and satisfying novel.

Amazing, unforgettable characters. Around halfway I became addicted and now I am sad it has ended. It makes my family seem functional.

Greatly enjoyed it.

An interesting story told with wit and compassion. The characters are believable and the plot is good fun. A good listen, well performed. I recommend it and look forward to trying more of Jonathan's work.

An incredible study of humanity

Loved this from the first few lines. This is a story that blooms into many others. Each character interconnects with another, all of them flawed and vulnerable and seeking some kind of redemption. Astonishing pace and breadth. Brilliant for addictive love, neuroses, personality disorder in contemporary US. Read it during time spent in Berlin and was thrilled by all the references to this city and its history, related with such authenticity. Franzen is extraordinary for what he's accomplished.

loved the writing. compelling.

there were small sections I found dragged but that is the same with every book. I enjoy Franzen's style of writing towards a goal or end. all the characters compelled me. A wonderful novel.