Loved it. It just got me through a week of being “sheltered in place” during the Covid 19 pandemic. It was Iike a movie I couldn’t wait to get back to. I was raised in the SF East Bay and have lived in Santa Cruz for many years so I enjoyed all the local references. Absorbing and distracting which is just what I needed. Mr. Franzen continues to be one of my favorite writers.

Can't download it to my iPad (latest IOS). Two years later: same problem. No help from Apple Tech Support. Sigh.

Psychologically and emotionally dense, true, and profound. The title suggests its theme is morality, but for me it was more about the power of data--be it information or secrets--and how people choose to use it.

Ugh... what a slog. No one is ever going to talk about this book past this year. Don't bother.

Possibly the best book I've ever read.

I usually love Franzen’s writing, and this one started out okay, but less than midway through it became such a slog …first to endure the overwrought tedious description of one character’s first marriage, then to endure page after page of another character’s dogma and explanation for it….on and on….it’s all i can do to get to the end. not something i’d recommend

Purity is a modern literary big novel. Jonathan Franzen is a talented wordsmith who is burdened with penetrating insight into the complexities of human beings. The novel is set within the issues of Internet leaks, corporate greed and nuclear arms. As typical of a Franzen novel the story is character driven and it delves deeply into motives and flaws. Once you start with this book it is hard to stop reading. I found this novel completely engaging and very rewarding to read. Five stars and highly recommended.

I'm a big fan of Franzen but I just could not get engrossed in this book. It went no where, fast. I gave it almost 300 pages but I really couldn't give a crap about any of the characters. Don't waste your $.

This book did not hold my interest at all. Too long and boring.

Franzen is a masterful author and he tells an engrossing story with many layers and surprises. At times I thought that the plot became subordinate to the various themes - clearly that was his desire, and as I entered the last 100 pages, I came to accept and embrace his narrative on his terms. I thought the ending was satisfying and it left me hopeful for the central characters - I hate it when a really good, long read ends with a "poof" - this book did not disappoint.