I was about 13, in some ways, when I wrote the first book. Approximately 18 when I wrote the second.
Jonathan FranzenI find it a huge strain to be responsible for my tastes and be known and defined by them.
Jonathan FranzenCertain kinds of things that the novel used to do, which was, "Oh, I'm living out here in West Nowhere, Nebraska and I'm curious how the upper class in New York City lives, I guess I'll read a novel about it." We don't have to do that now. You just turn on the TV. Turn on Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous. You can get that information anywhere. Novels don't have to do that anymore.
Jonathan Franzen