DISCOMFORT ZONE

THIS IS A BRILLIANT, AWARD-WINNING MEMOIR FROM THE AUTHOR OF "THE CORRECTIONS". JONATHAN FRANZEN ARRIVED LATE, AND LAST, IN A FAMILY OF BOYS IN WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI. "THE DISCOMFORT ZONE" IS HIS INTIMATE MEMOIR OF HIS GROWTH FROM A 'SMALL AND FUNDAMENTALLY RIDICULOUS PERSON,' THROUGH AN ADOLESCENCE BOTH EXCRUCIATING AND STRANGELY HAPPY, INTO AN ADULT WITH EMBARRASSING AND UNEXPECTED PASSIONS. IT'S ALSO A PORTRAIT OF A MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILY WEATHERING THE TURBULENCE OF THE 1970S, AND A VIVID PERSONAL INSIGHT INTO THE DECADES IN WHICH AMERICA TOOK AN ANGRY TURN AWAY FROM ITS MID-CENTURY IDEALS. THE STORIES TOLD HERE DRAW ON ELEMENTS AS VARIED AS THE EFFECTS OF KAFKA'S FICTION ON FRANZEN'S PROTRACTED QUEST TO LOSE HIS VIRGINITY, THE ELABORATE PRANKS THAT HE AND HIS FRIENDS ORCHESTRATED FROM THE ROOF OF HIS HIGH SCHOOL, HIS SELF-INFLICTED TRAVAILS IN SELLING HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE AFTER HER DEATH, AND THE WEB OF CONNECTIONS BETWEEN HIS ALL-CONSUMING MARRIAGE, THE PROBLEM OF GLOBAL WARMING, A