Novelist Jonathan Franzen says he considered adopting an Iraqi war orphan to better understand the y
Novelist Jonathan Franzen says he considered adopting an Iraqi war orphan to better understand the youthAs the story goes, Franzen’s career and relationship were thriving, but he felt frustrated and angry with the younger generation and there was only one logical solution. “Oh, it was insane, the idea that Kathy [his partner] and I were going to adopt an Iraqi war orphan,” he said in an interview with The Guardian. “The whole idea lasted maybe six weeks.”He added: “One of the things that had put me in mind of adoption was a sense of alienation from the younger generation. They seemed politically not the way they should be as young people. I thought people were supposed to be idealistic and angry. And they seemed kind of cynical and not very angry. At least not in any way that was accessible to me.”But before committing to the adoption process out of the goodness of his heart, Franzen’s New Yorker editor, Henry Finder, suggested he spend some time with some new university graduates, which apparently quenched his thirst to hang with the youth: “Part of what journalism is for me is spending time with people who I dislike as a class. But I became very fond of them… It cured me of my anger at young people.”So hey, the next time you’re experiencing an existential crisis, you can apply Franzen logic, and adopt a baby!Photo: Ulf Andersen/Getty Images -- source link
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