This is a long, uneven but ultimately worthwhile novel. It is Franzen’s second work and as thematically all over the map as 27th City, Corrections and Freedom. It deals with induced seismicity, the influence of evangelical Christianity on American politics, the nature of environmental discourse, the moral conundrum that is abortion, the curse that inheritance can be and many other issues besides. It also is notable for once again being like his first novel, a book that features major protagonists who are not very likeable. But what is going to linger for me is probably the very realistic depiction of a charismatic young anti-abortion campaigner:
He nodded. “Persecution, sure, that’s your line on it. But not deportation and murder. See, I think what’s bothering you about these videos is they’re so effective. They affect you. But there’s even more effective ads on TV for buying jeans or buying beer. Ads that use sex, which is the most powerful and dishonest thing of all. You know, like if I drink Bud Light I’ll get my own hot little beach girl to mess around with. You talk about dishonest and manipulative and harmful. And if you’re up against a pernicious thing like that, you need some powerful images yourself. And the fact is, there is something beautiful about a mother and her baby, and there is something ugly about abortions. All I want’s an equal shot at the market. And the thing is I can’t get one.”
– Jonathan Franzen, Strong Motion, p. 326.
Your Correspondent, Religions can’t have shots at the market without being subject to hostile takeovers