Franzen was born in Chicago in 1959 but grew up in St. Louis (Webster Groves). He attended Swarthmore College and also earned a Fulbright Scholarship to study in Munich. His first novel, The Twenty-Seventh City, was based on St. Louis (fell from 4th city to 27th city). His other novels include Strong Motion, The Corrections, and Freedom. His last two books have both been selected for Oprah's Book Club. Remember when she picked The Corrections...it was a controversy. She announced on the show, "Jonathan Franzen will not be on the Oprah Winfrey show because he is seemingly uncomfortable and conflicted about being chosen as a book club selection. It is never my intention to make anyone uncomfortable or cause anyone conflict. We have decided to skip the dinner and we're moving on to the next book." The Corrections went on to be one of the best-selling books of the decade.
Oprah announced her next book club pick on Friday...Freedom. I guess the controversy is cleared up! Read more here.
He'll be at the Schlafly Library Branch in the Central West End on Monday 9/20!
