What Makes Jonathan Franzen.........Jonathan Franzen???????????????????????????????

                                          Writers are influenced by other writers, of course, but, the Brontes being a major exception, they are not descendants thereof.  If this corollary was true, Jonathan Franzen, operating at the top of his game with "Crossroads," would be considered a worthy descendant of Leo Tolstoy, Sinclair Lewis, William Inge, the Southern Gothic writers, and the  late Grace Metalious.  Oh, and don't forget Henry Bellamann, who wrote "Kings Row."

                                              These authors took  a region noted to  them, and peeled away its layers, exposing all  the hypocrisy, anger, and other human truths resting within.  When it comes to the Midwest, as Jonathan Franzen shows, people there are as fucked up as anyone else.   Most of  America thinks we in  New York or Los Angeles  are the most  messed up, but Franzen clearly demonstrates that is not so.  There is  plenty wrong  in the Midwest.

                                                   So, I think  Jonathan Franzen should be saluted as an activist in arms,  for peeling away at the idealized America too many cling to.  Before they go out, and attack the American capitol,  darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                      I can't wait to see what the Hildenbrandts are in for,  next!!!!!!!!!!!!