Between the time I excitedly pre-ordered Franzen's new book and when it arrived, I read the review in the NYTimes. The review seemed to me at the time to compare Purity unfavorably with The Corrections an Freedom - Franzen's earlier novels. Though I enjoyed both I found the latter too preachy and not as entertaining as The Corrections. So as I started Purity, some of the initial anticipation and excitement had dissipated. Once started to read, however, I was immediately drawn in and Franzen did not disappoint.

His prose is clear and his humor dark and dry. He is a master storyteller and as this rather complex story unfolds, the reader is given just enough to think she gets it. Only to be dealt another altered version as the narrative viewpoint, and even the shift to first person and back to third, changes over the course of the novel. Franzen fans will enjoy the rich detail and characters who slowly and plausibly come to life on the pages of this book. Not all the characters are likable at all, but the author has the talent and the temerity to bare them to us with all their faults first, leaving us (daring us?) to judge them, and then forcing his reader to reconsider once he lays out all the facts. The character you despise, merits sympathy and one you have tenderness for may disgust by the end. Franzen seems to manage this with such style that one almost can imagine him smiling at our gullibility.

I would have given the book five stars if not for the overly sentimental ending which I thought contrived. Yet, even this criticism is mild as the shear joy of reading Franzen was worth a couple of sappy pages at the end.

Recommmended.