This is a genre that just isn't for me. Franzen was recommended by my boss, but this is absolutely not working for me.

I hated the characters, especially Gary and pre-Lithuania Chip, with a passion. I kept groaning about Enid and Alfred and how unnecessary difficult they made their life. The most accomplished seemed to be Denise, and after what she did, that success doesn't come easy. I think I like her, though.