300 Reviews

Every so often, my mother calls me up and asks me what hip, new book she should read.  This is because, according to O magazine, literature is “Botox for the mind.”

The last time she called, I was ready.

“Mom,” I said, “The thing you’ve got to read now, right this minute, or more specifically when it’s available on a yet-to-be-determined-date in August, is FREEDOM A NOVEL JONATHAN FRANZEN AUTHOR OF THE CORRECTIONS.”

“Can you repeat that?” my mother said.  “I’m not sure I caught the whole thing.”

“Sure,” I said, “It’s FREEDOM A NOVEL JONATHAN FRANZEN AUTHOR OF THE CORRECTIONS.  Available in hardback.  August 2010.”

“Wonderful,” said my mother, “That just sounds so interesting.”

“Doesn’t it?” I said

“FREEDOM,” she said.

“A NOVEL,” I said.

Etc.

“It’s good to keep your mind young,” I said, eventually.

“The book club’s going to love this,” my mother said.  “What’s it about?”

“Songbirds,” I said.  “Gigantic, genetically engineered songbirds.”

“Genetics—it’s political?” she said.

“Well, FREEDOM and all,” I said.  “You know.”

“Oh, right,” she said.  “Oh, right.”

My mother sounded confused.

“There’s also a lake,” I offered.  “Some trees.”

“Is it a coming-of-age tale?” she said.

“Maybe for the birds,” I said, doubtfully.

“What do you mean by that?” she said.  “The birds?”

“It appears they’ve learned to read.” I said.  “They can read at least nine words.”

“You said they’re genetically engineered?” she said.

“Yes,” I said. “A NOVEL.”

“What?” my mother said.

“Sorry,” I said.  “It just slipped out.”

Just then, my mother had to get off the phone and make dinner for my father (who thinks that fishing is Prozac for the soul).  I can’t wait to hear what she thinks of that book.  She didn’t much like REALITY HUNGER A MANIFESTO DAVID SHIELDS, but my mother has never really cared for humor writing.

-Sara Joy Culver

Tags: birds coming of age, cover art, fiction, Freedom, Jonathan Franzen, novel, politics, Sara Joy Culver