Jonathan Franzen (born August 17, 1959, Chicago, Illinois) is an American novelist and essayist, currently living in New York City. Franzen's The Corrections, a novel of social criticism, garnered considerable critical acclaim in the United States. The book was originally chosen as part of Oprah Winfrey's book club, but after Franzen expressed some concerns about the book club itself and the effect it would have, Oprah removed the book as a selection. An article published in The Age (2006) titled 'You Go Girl' cites Franzen's concern that Oprah's book club endorsement would repel male readers, as the reason for Oprah's uninvitation.
Franzen was raised in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, and educated at Swarthmore. He lives in Brooklyn and currently writes for The New Yorker magazine.
