The Corrections is a novel of social criticism by American author Jonathan Franzen. It won the 2001 National Book Award for Fiction. Jonathan Franzen (born August 17, 1959) is a USA novelist and essayist. ... The National Book Awards is the most important literary prize in the United States, presented annually for the best books by living U.S. citizens published in the U.S. The awards have been presented since 1950 in at least one category, and is presently awarded in each of four...

The book revolves around the troubles and strife of the Lambert family, and the travails of their attempts to get together for one last Christmas.

Alfred Lambert, the patriarch, suffers from Parkinson's disease and dementia. Enid, his long-suffering wife, suffers from Alfred, both vocally and perhaps unfairly. Gary, the eldest Lambert son, is attempting to cope with both depression and the machinations involved in maintaining a happy family. Chip, the middle child, is a politically correct university lecturer whose unfortunate predilection for attractive young girls lands him in a world of self-loathing and financial difficulty, and, eventually, Lithuania. Denise, the youngest of the family, is successful in her career as a chef, but unsuccessful in fulfilling her mother's requests of finding a nice young Midwestern man to marry, not least as she begins to question her sexuality. Dementia (from Latin demens) is progressive decline in cognitive function due to damage or disease in the brain beyond what might be expected from normal aging. ... Clinical depression is a health condition of depression with mental and physical components reaching criteria generally accepted by clinicians. ... The Midwest is a common name for a region of the United States of America. ...

Alongside the family dramas, the novel has an undercurrent of social commentary, taking in the topics of globalization, the spread of technology, and the changes in family values over the years, among other topics.

The book was a selection of Oprah's Book Club in 2001. Franzen controversially lamented his book's being chosen for this book club. Oprahs Book Club is a popular book club as decided on by talk show host Oprah Winfrey. ... 2001: A Space Odyssey. ... A book club is a club where people usually meet to discuss a book that they have read and express their opinions, likes, dislikes, etc. ...

A film adaptation is in the works to be directed by Robert Zemeckis and possibly starring Judi Dench and Brad Pitt. Director Robert Zemeckis Robert Zemeckis (born May 14, 1952) is an American movie director, producer and writer. ... Judi Dench as M in GoldenEye Dame Judith Olivia Dench, CH, DBE, better known as Judi Dench (born on December 9, 1934 in North Yorkshire, England), is an English stage, film and television actress. ... Brad Pitt at the Incirlik hospital, Incirlik Air Base, December 7, 2001 Brad Pitt (born William Bradley Pitt on December 18, 1963), is an American film actor, and one of the most widely recognized people in the world. ...

External links

• Jonathan Franzen's web page about The Corrections
• Listen to Franzen read from The Corrections
• Listen to 2001 Interview with Jonathan Franzen, conducted by Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air
• Most honored novels: The Corrections numerous honors puts it at the top of the list