Dog Art Today

Jonathan Franzen on Snoopy and Dachshunds

Written by

Moira McLaughlin

in

 

Jonathan_franzen_snoopy

I finished reading Freedom by Jonathan Franzen on Wednesday night and have been crabby ever since.  The book is that good.  Devastatingly good.  I finished it, and now I am mad, bereft, like he broke up with me.  Yesterday, I went to the library to find someone new.  Every book was stupid, like Joey, a character in Freedom, would say.  After two hours I left with Jeanette Winterson's Lighthousekeeping and The Portable Thoreau.   Last night I ignored Jeanette and I started Walden because Thoreau was interested in nature and solitude, just like Jonathan.  I miss him.  This morning, digging around Jonathan's background, I found a dog art connection.  He is a big Snoopy fan and wrote the introduction to The Complete Peanuts, Volume 4: 1957-1958 .  He also wrote about his love of Snoopy in a 2004  article in The New Yorker entitled "The Comfort Zone: Growing Up With Charlie Brown."   The article sheds some light on several characters and events in Freedom and also includes this quote about Dachshunds:

"We laugh at Dachshunds for humping our legs, but our own species is even more self-centered in its imaginings."
It made me laugh.

I know I'll get over him.  But it will take some time.  Anyone have a good book to read?

 

Comments

6 responses to “Jonathan Franzen on Snoopy and Dachshunds”

  1. Becca Collins Avatar
    Becca Collins

    I know you are a pretty young gal, but you come up with the most obscure stuff sometimes, you seem like an eccentric old lady with a head full of seemingly unrelated knowledge, that is all related. You will be a great old lady some day if you keep learning and sharing stuff at the rate you are going.
    Great post

    Reply
  2. Moira McLaughlin Avatar
    Moira McLaughlin

    Being a “great old lady some day” is as great a compliment as it is a goal. Thanks, Rebecca. You made me laugh too.

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    I’m reading Freedom right now, but I’m not as besotted as you. Have you read Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann? Or Jonathon Tropper’s new novel — it’s hilarious.

    Reply
  4. Moira McLaughlin Avatar
    Moira McLaughlin

    Thanks for the book tips Elizabeth. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on Freedom when you finish. I miss our book club with interesting perspectives like yours.

    Reply
  5. nancy Avatar
    nancy

    Love getting a book review! Love Johnathan Franzen too. “Strong Motion” had the most compelling description of the trading of the natural world for profit that the settlers in this country committed- sacrificing beavers for silver teapots was what most stayed in my mind the most, but it goes on for pages about the exchange we make stealing the lives of animals and ravaging the planet for personal gain. Heartbreaking and to the heart of the issue as well.

    Reply
  6. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    The alchemaster’s apprentice : a culinary tale from Zamonia / by Optimus Yarnspinner ; translated from the Zamonian and illustrated by Walter Moers, whose German text was translated into English by John Brownjohn.
    I just started this odd sounding book but it has drawn me in. Very imaginative. I have Freedom waiting to be read also but first I had to finish the new Dresden Chronicles. Sort of a Lord of the Rings and Sam Spade cross, very entertaining.

    Reply

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