Jonathan Franzen
Jonathan Earl Franzen (born August 17, 1959) is an American novelist and essayist. His 2001 novel The Corrections, a sprawling, satirical family drama, drew widespread critical acclaim, earned Franzen a National Book Award, was a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction finalist, earned a James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award. His novel Freedom (2010) garnered similar praise and led to an appearance on the cover of Time magazine alongside the headline "Great American Novelist". Franzen's latest novel Crossroads was published in 2021, and is the first in a projected trilogy.
Jonathan Franzen | |
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Franzen at the 2011 Time 100 gala | |
| Born | Jonathan Earl Franzen August 17, 1959 Western Springs, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Novelist, essayist |
| Education | Swarthmore College |
| Genre | Literary fiction |
| Literary movement | Social realism, New Sincerity |
| Notable works | The Corrections (2001) Freedom (2010) Crossroads (2021) |
| Notable awards | National Book Award 2001 James Tait Black Memorial Prize 2002 |
| Spouse |
Valerie Cornell (divorced) |
| Partner | Kathy Chetkovich |
| Website | |
| jonathanfranzen | |
Franzen has contributed to The New Yorker magazine since 1994. His 1996 Harper's essay "Perchance to Dream" bemoaned the state of contemporary literature. Oprah Winfrey's book club selection in 2001 of The Corrections led to a much publicized feud with the talk show host.