Freedom (Jonathan Franzen)

This story of a dysfunctional family is beautifully written but painful to read. Ex-jock Patty is married to environmental activist Walter but more attracted to bad-boy rocker Richard, which poisons their marriage. Their children also suffer, especially Joey, who grows up a self-centered hedonist in and out of a troubled relationship of his own. The words and sentences are splendid, drawing such a vivid picture of all the characters and events, but I can't say I enjoyed the experience completely, because what they were going through was sad and twisted.