Freedom has the two-and-a-half-dimensional feel of reality television. I enjoy reading it, but I'm not convinced that any of the characters (especially Patty) is really so good at taking punches. I read this book as I might Greek mythology. Franzen the jovial God, getting kicks out of kicking his characters but never quite believing any of them could ever really exist. I don't believe any of them could exist either, but then again, who cares?
It's definitely a five-star so far. Very fun to read. No flowery, pretentious prose, just smart writing.
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Half-way through: the characters are getting there; even though I'm still not buying Patty, Walter and Richard came to life immediately. Perhaps Franzen shouldn't write female characters? To be fair, I don't remember thinking this when reading The Corrections, but I don't recall.

All in all, still going strong. There are passages in which I start thinking of other things I should be doing, or I start thinking maybe I'll take a nap. Then I read a few minutes longer, and I'm pulled back in.
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Still smart, still a tad unbalanced.

I'm getting distinct glimpses of Rabbit, Run; I Am Charlotte Simmons; something else...
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O.K., final assessment: strong writing, a little dry in places; Franzen could use more humor to balance out the seriousness of the characters and their situations (yes, literature needs humor (yes, I'm referring to this book as literature)). Some of the secondary characters seem more alive than the main characters. The story is mostly realistic and contains remarkable insight, bravely displayed, but the way it is disclosed sometimes--the awkward dialog, for example--is lacking.

I wonder why all the women characters are not only depressed, but on medication for depression and why none of the characters are capable of being faithful sexually. There are ways, other than infidelity, to abuse ourselves and loved ones. The political discussions, namely the discussions on population control, a taboo subject, won me over. Largely, a very good book.