(7) Snow Line
Besides its experimental first chapter, The Corrections tells a pretty straightforward story. Franzen writes in an engaging matter that, while certainly highbrow, isn't difficult to understand. That being said, there are a few things that make this one a bit of a toughie:
- The story isn't told chronologically;
- the perspective shifts between five different characters;
- it features a lot of specialized lingo (especially financial jargon);
- there are plenty of plot points to keep track of;
- and the book is filled with little Easter eggs that require extra effort to unearth.
In other words, it's not going to kill you, but you'll have to put your thinking cap on—and, please, wear your nice thinking cap this time. That off-brand one you wore the other week was just tacky.
Here's our advice: take notes. Before you groan at our suggestion, let's make one thing crystal clear: Franzen has constructed this novel like a jigsaw puzzle—he provides the pieces, but it's up to you to put them together. So grab your favorite highlighter, and get ready to pull your weight.