The Corrections

About “The Corrections”

The novel The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen follows the Lambert family across the past half century, highlighting two distinct aspects of American life. The patriarch, Alfred, is a distant, puritanical company man with Parkinson's-induced dementia, while his wife, Enid, is a traditional Midwestern housewife who is both deferential and controlling. Their three children—Gary, a troubled banker; Chip, a struggling screenwriter; and Denise, a rising restaurant executive—have little connection to their parents. When Enid calls for a final Christmas at the family home, the five characters come together, bringing their separate lives into focus. Published in 2001, the novel showcases Franzen's talent for blending humor and realism in a powerful family story.