The Open Book series: Jonathan Franzen, "The Corrections"

Jonathan Franzen will be on campus to discuss his National Book Award-winning novel, “The Corrections,” at 6 p.m. in Hootie Johnson Hall.

When “The Corrections” was published, Jonathan Franzen was probably better known for his nonfiction than for his novels. In an essay for Harper’s, Franzen lamented the declining cultural authority of the American novel and described his search for reasons to persist as a fiction writer. “The novelist has more and more to say to readers who have less and less time to read,” he said. The Corrections was an international bestseller, with translations in 35 languages, U.S. hardcover sales of nearly one million copies, and nominations for nearly every major book prize in the country, including the National Book Award, which it won. The author’s profile was further raised by controversy surrounding the novel’s selection for Oprah’s book club. Franzen has gone on to publish several more award-winning books and to appear on the cover of Time. During his visit to USC, he will revisit the book that made him famous. “You will laugh, wince, groan, weep, leave the table and maybe the country, promise never to go home again, and be reminded of why you read serious fiction in the first place,” writes the New York Times Review of Books about the experience of reading The Corrections.

The Open Book is a literary series and community read rolled into one. The 2017 Series will run Mondays and Wednesdays for five weeks: March 27 – April 26, 6-7 pm. Each Monday will feature host Elise Blackwell (or a guest speaker) discussing that week’s book, followed by the author’s talk on Wednesday. Author visits conclude with a book-signing reception.

Sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences, The Open Book is free and open to all.