If you are a Franzen fan, and I am, this is one of the best. He deeply buries his diatribe against the internet (it's akin to totalitarian communism!) in a juicy tale with characters you'll love or hate, but never be bored by. He's been known to say he thinks of his work as comic novels, so bear that in mind when the plot veers toward extremes. But I am once again wowed by his ability to weave a complex tale so of our times.