Tag Archives: How to Be Alone

“I want to be alone, but not too alone.”

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Kate Stover

I disagree with the description on the back of this book, which says that one of Jonathan Franzen’s “essential themes” is “the hidden persistence of loneliness in postmodern, imperial America.” Rather, it seems to me that in every one of … Continue reading →

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“Who is it you are writing for? It surely could not be the average person who just enjoys a good read.”

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Kate Stover

The reader who asked Jonathan Franzen this question touched a nerve. Franzen’s answer — a 30-page essay titled “Mr. Difficult” — describes two models for relationships between writers and readers. In the “Status” model, writers aim to create great art, … Continue reading →

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