Photo of Jonathan Franzen
Open Library

Jonathan Franzen

1 series 2 books in order 1 standalone book

Jonathan Earl Franzen, born on August 17, 1959, is an American novelist and essayist. His 2001 novel The Corrections received widespread critical acclaim and won the National Book Award. It was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award. His 2010 novel Freedom received similar praise and led to an appearance on the cover of Time magazine. Franzen has contributed to The New Yorker since 1994. His 1996 essay Perchance to Dream, published in Harper's, commented on the state of contemporary literature. In 2001, The Corrections was selected by Oprah Winfrey's book club, leading to a publicized feud with the talk show host.

Born
1959
Known for
A Key to All Mythologies

Where to start with Jonathan Franzen

Begin with The Corrections, published in 2001. It is Franzen’s first standalone novel and serves as a foundational work in his career. After The Corrections, proceed with Freedom, released in 2010, which continues the narrative focus on family, personal responsibility, and contemporary American life. Both novels are standalone but share thematic and stylistic elements. The Corrections was followed by Crossroads, published in 2021, which is the first book in the series A Key to All Mythologies. Crossroads is not a sequel to The Corrections or Freedom but is part of a new series that continues Franzen’s exploration of moral complexity and personal identity. Read the books in publication order: The Corrections, Freedom, then Crossroads.

Series by Jonathan Franzen

A Key to All Mythologies

1 book in order · 2021

  1. Cover of Crossroads

    Crossroads

    2021 · Jonathan Franzen

    It's December 23, 1971, in Chicago, where heavy weather is forecast. Russ Hildebrandt, an associate pastor in a liberal suburban church, is…

    Read more →
    Buy on Amazon

Standalone books

  1. Cover of The Corrections
    Buy on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

How many books has Jonathan Franzen written?

We list 2 books by Jonathan Franzen across 1 series, published in 2021 — each shown in full reading order.

What order should I read Jonathan Franzen's books?

Read each series in publication order. A good place to start is “Crossroads.” Open any series above for its complete numbered reading order.

Where can I buy Jonathan Franzen's books?

Every title links to Amazon from its series page — see our affiliate disclosure in the footer for how that supports the site.

Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.