In 2001 I read The Corrections, which introduced Franzen to most literate people. It was one of those books that I remember really loving but right now couldn't tell you a thing about it.
After nine years he's finally published another novel, Freedom. He came to Decatur as the keynote speaking for the Decatur Book Festival over Labor Day weekend. My fabulous friend, Marilyn, hooked me up with a ticket to see him speak and he read from his book to us.
This was a new experience for me - I don't recall ever going to hear an author read his work before. In a way it was nice, later on when I read the book, to know how intended certain characters to speak, their inflection, and cadence.
After the reading I stood in this incredibly enormous line to get him to sign my copy of Freedom, which thankfully I didn't purchase for my iPad the day before as I had been contemplating. The line took so long because everyone wanted to have their moment of conversation with him. I almost gave up twice. But I was determined not to say a word to him when I finally reached the table so as not to earn the scorn of the hundred or so people behind me still waiting. I know I'm not important to him so I don't need him to pretend for me.
A clever little trick they do is write your name on a sticky note and put it on the page he's going to sign so he doesn't spell your name wrong. I thought this was brilliant because no one spells my name right after I say it. Finally at the table, he opened my book, looked at my sticky note, and said, "To Gina?" To which I of course responded with the correct pronunciation of my name. Normally people at this point apologize and get on with their business. But Mr. Franzen just stared at me for a beat, like I was the one who was wrong.
Eventually he came out of his trance and apologized, to which I said that it was okay, nobody ever got it right. Then he signed my book and I was on my way. So, I guess I had a few more words with him than I was intending.
Partway into his book I realized the reason for his perplexed and staring pause creating our awkward moment: Jenna is in Freedom. I wonder if he thinks now he should have spelled it my way.
Long anecdote for the shortest of reviews: READ IT. You won't be sorry.
