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Book of the month

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MNHQ

Come and chat to award-winning author of Purity JONATHAN FRANZEN on Friday 2nd October, 12-1pm. Post your questions for him here.

109 replies

RachelMumsnet · 17/08/2015 12:18

We're delighted to announce that our September book of the month will be Jonathan Franzen's latest novel Purity, which is published on 1 September. We're also honoured that Franzen has agreed to join us for a webchat to discuss the book and his other novels on Friday 2 October, 12 - 2pm.

Jonathan Franzen is one of America's most acclaimed contemporary novelist and essayist. In 2001, his novel The Corrections, a sprawling, satirical family drama, won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction finalist and won Franzen a National Book Award.

Purity is a multigenerational American epic that spans decades and continents. The story centers on a young woman named Purity Tyler, or Pip, who doesn't know who her father is and sets out to uncover his identity. It's a story of youthful idealism, extreme fidelity, and murder.

Come and put your questions to Jonathan Franzen on Friday 2 October, 12-2pm

OP posts:
IamTheWhoreofBabylon · 23/08/2015 22:41

Me please. Love his books especially Freedom

Hobbes8 · 23/08/2015 23:20

Yes please!

choystory · 24/08/2015 03:06

I'd like one please, thanks

Biscuitsneeded · 24/08/2015 09:22

Would love to read this - yes please.

Corygal · 25/08/2015 23:27

oh misery, haven't heard from MN. I really wanted to read this and am too skint to buy it. Woe...

Corygal · 28/08/2015 21:15

Has anyone heard?

MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 01/09/2015 10:30

So sorry we're running a bit behind on this giveaway and all those who will be receiving books will be notified by lunchtime today. For those who don't hear, the book is published today and can be bought in hardback from Amazon for £13.60 or £12.99 on Kindle and also on Audio download. We'll keep you posted on the date for the webchat.

OP posts:
RhuBarbarella · 01/09/2015 15:12

Yay! I'm very happy, thanks Rachel!

Corygal · 01/09/2015 16:38

ayayayayayayya!!!!!! COMPLETELY DELIGHTED THANKS Rachel.

BeeBawBabbity · 01/09/2015 20:43

Wow, I'm getting a copy! I'm thrilled, thanks mumsnet. I will read and report back. I love Franzen.

BrendaandEddie · 01/09/2015 20:50

rachelmumsnet

WOT NO BOOK

Mybeloved7 · 02/09/2015 02:43

Me too please!

jackiekatu · 06/09/2015 21:30

Me please

Corygal · 07/09/2015 16:59

Has anyone's arrived yet? I've had nowt.

RhuBarbarella · 08/09/2015 15:44

Mine's just arrived! I had a good sniff, was doing stuff in the garden but those weeds can go have a merry time, I'm reading!

evelynj · 09/09/2015 20:29

Ooh, I just unexpectedly got one today, many thanks! When's the read by date? I'm in the middle off 2 other books so need to get a wriggle on!

Ellisisland · 14/09/2015 17:39

Just finished this book and loved it. Do we post reviews here or elsewhere ? Thanks

MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 24/09/2015 17:16

Hi Ellisisland - you can post your review on the boards here (remember Jonathan will be joining us on this thread later in the month) OR you can review the book here

Purity book reviews

OP posts:
StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 29/09/2015 13:53

The characters aren't really very likeable, the plot is convoluted and almost entirely beyond my scope of experience, but it's so well written that none of that seems to matter.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

aginghippy · 29/09/2015 13:58

The characters aren't really very likeable

I liked Pip. I was sad when I came to the end of the first section and it switched from Pip's point of view.

mrsronswanson · 29/09/2015 16:54

I'm only partly through the book, having had a very busy start to the school year. I am enjoying it so far. Hopefully I'll get more read tonight and tomorrow in order to ask a question - don't feel I've got enough to go on yet.

stayanotherday · 29/09/2015 21:03

Jonathan - where did the reclusive mother idea come from please?

sallyc06 · 30/09/2015 07:30

Fantastic book, but unfortunately cannot join the discussion as in work, sorry.

MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 30/09/2015 14:32

@sallyc06

Fantastic book, but unfortunately cannot join the discussion as in work, sorry.

Feel free to post a question to Jonathan in advance on this thread Sally.

OP posts:
BeeBawBabbity · 30/09/2015 14:53

spoilers

I'm another reader who doesn't like any of the characters. Andreas is horrid, he's such a creep. I don't understand why Pip cried so much after she turned him down? What was that really about? Did she want him as a father figure and his desire for her meant she couldn't have that relationship with him? (I haven't finished the book yet, this may all become clear!)

But once again I'm blown away by Franzen's sheer talent, style, insight and flair. I've yet to read an author who's writing makes me stop and think "wow" so often. (Ok, maybe Richard Yates).

Jonathan - it's interesting that so much of the story turns on secrets. The secret of Pip's father, secrets of the Stasi, crimes kept secret, exposing secrets. Was this an intentional theme? Do you think some things are best kept secret?

(Sorry but can't join the webchat as I'll be at work)