The Best Comments from Oprah Book Club's Online Discussion of "Freedom"

The Best Comments from Oprah Book Club’s Online Discussion of “Freedom”

by Reeves Wiedeman

Today, on the nearly-over Oprah Winfrey show: “One family comes forward about their secret relationship with Michael Jackson. Then, best-selling author Jonathan Franzen and Oprah’s new book club pick.” While Franzen has taken the Oprahtunity to recommend 34 books to America, Oprah’s America has already weighed in on him. Note: sic throughout.

Emily72: I sware! don’t people know how to raise kids anymore?! Parents keep apologizing for being incharge, for heavens sake! No wonder people are insecure and act like idiots.

Buckley06: I cannot understand what Oprah saw in this unless it is the constant political rants. If I have to read one more, I swear I will upchuck! I get enough of this on every single show I watch on Tv. Even Law and Order shows have a political rant within each show.

victoria48: I don’t know about the rest of you but I have had people tell me that it is hard for them to say “I love you.”

Hakanen: Could have done without a lot of the sex scenes but great character development.

Norkdo: This section (reading right now) would be equivalent to the stage Robert Bly would describe as the Baba Yaga stage. Walter has survived to date by adhering to rules (a head-led state, as opposed to a heart-led state).

sweetpotato79: I have a problem with Franzen’s condescending attitude towards motherhood.

6dinnersid: I am extremely disappointed in this Oprah book selection and even more so that I spent $28 on this book. Love Oprah and her show!

Boxofcats: My only issue is that for some reason I just can’t picture Patty. I usually “cast’ most books I read, but I am finding that impossible with Patty. Any ideas — who would you cast as Patty?

kdip66 : Worst book I have ever read!

billiep: Maybe consider donating your copy to your local public library and you won’t feel so bad about the money spent! Just a thought. Now go find yourself a book that you can really enjoy. Life is short! 🙂

MKM1234: Walter was a dolt.

DMerkl : Stupid guy question and way off-topic: what does Patty mean on page 174 — Im 42, she said, it would cost me twenty-thousand dollars to get pregnant now? Is that how much an abortion cost (seems way too high)? Or — do abortions cost more for older females? Or — is the implication that she would keep the baby despite her age and possibly have a more complicated (expensive) pregnancy and delivery?
teammom62: The key word is GET, it would cost twenty thousand dollars to GET pregnant, meaning at her age she would have fertility problems
DMerkl: Thanks for clearing that up, teammom62. I misunderstood Patty’s sarcasm.

donya34 : I started this book thinking WHY; why did Oprah think this was a good choice, why should I spend my time reading this, why does this author feel it necessary to use every word he knows, some of which aren’t even in the dictionary on my Kindle.

sjames85296: I ABSOLUTLY AGREE WITH YOU ON YOUR INTERPRETATION OF FREEDOM. SOOM PEOPLE GO THROUGH THEIR ENTIRE LIVES AND DON’T BREAK AWAY FROM THE FEELINGS THEY SURPRESSED IN THIER CHILDHOOD AND ARE UNHAPPY OR JUST THINK SOMETHING JUST NOT RIGHT WITH THEM AND THEY JUST DON’T GET IT!

Bchuma: This book is a piece of jewelry that Amricans give to the world.
Bookread: If this is considered a piece of jewelry that America gives to the world I can only say that to me the material contained it’s share of fool’s gold.

bethy47: Surely you understand that many people live their entire existence without being “aware” of much beyond what they see and touch.

judicraig : OMG, make it END! I one of those people that HAS to finish a book once I’ve started it no matter how bad it is, but for the love of God, make it END! Thankfully I’m listening to it rather than reading it so I don’t feel like I’m completley waisting my time. At least the house is getting cleaned and the laundry is getting done!

EvilWylie : I cannot wait until Emperor Franzen visits Oprah’s set for his coronation!
d4729mmm : Another of Oprah’s fake supermen.
producerji: Is he going to wear his cape???

Reeves Wiedeman actually enjoyed being a member Oprah’s Book Club.