SENIORS CAN FIND THIS BOOK FUNNY BUT NOT COMFORTING

I've spent some time considering my attitude toward this book. From a contemporary's perspective of Alfred and Enid, the parents in this dysfunctional family it is a very funny book. No one need be ashamed of belonging to a dysfunctional family, every family is crazy even the ones that think they are normal. This is the every family novel for our time.

The experiences of Enid and Alfred are very close to normal. We all have delusions caused by health, we all want to have a little glamor and ease like Enid, we all have that closet in the basement with the things we have been saving, and our children think we are absurd.

The descriptions of the midwestern landscape are wonderful. To capture anything so bland and common and make it a delight to read is a real gift. Franzen deserves all the praise just for that talent.

His characterization of the three children in the family was sly. We start out thinking we liked this grown-up child but ended up seeing we were mislead. Gary, the oldest, and seemingly best adjusted ends up being the jerk. You can sympathize with his wife although he appears to be the one in right, he just wants to rule the family like his domineering father. Denise seems the most sensible until we get to know her but she is the one to manage the family when she has to. Chip, the errant college professor and semi-crook of international proportions, becomes rather lovable with a fairly decent wife. I can't decide who I like better, Chip or Denise.

The twists and turns known within the family are blessedly not obvious to the outside world. Like Enid, we select the best and ignore the problems.

My two favorite episodes was the one on the cruise ship when Albert falls/jumps 8 stories to the ocean and still survives. If you have ever stood on the top deck looking down at the ocean you will understand his urge. Especially after two weeks on board.

Enid's junk closet being rifled by Denise was an impetus for me to clean out mine. However, 6 months from now it will be as full as ever.

The family's final gathering for Christmas is sad but satisfying. We have all live through plenty of that type of event. The happy ending for Enid after Alfred's death is every widow's reward. The untold secret of the relief of having a marriage over in old age. You can bridge to your heart's content and not listen to a husband or son. You can let everyone get on with their own dusty destinies. This is really a book for the over sixties.