Impressions of Freedom and Franzen

[Noomninam]

Just getting started, but I'm immediately struck by the book beginning with an extended character study – albeit a very entertaining neighborhood portrait. This goes completely against the minimalist, "show, not tell" writing style espoused by all the creative writing teachers I had (the same generation of educators whose approval DFW both sought and rejected). Not unlike Michael Chabon in mood and style – but again, I'm only a few pages in. What does anyone else think?

[Thomas]

I think you're spot on about it, John. It's been a siphoning of action through character development. But very entertaining early on. As a fan of sprawl (Wallace and the only Chabon I read, Kavalier and Klay), I like it so far.