Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen is a big book. It covers a church group's characters and the pastors and their families. Everyone has a drama. The Hildebrandt's are the main characters. Russ is the head of the clan. He is an associate pastor with a tiny wage. He does his best to support his family of six. They don't have much materially. They live in an old house, the church provides. He has his hands full. Even so, he finds time to chase a young widow who is too receptive.
Marion, Russ' wife has hidden her wild, young life from Russ. Lately, however, Marion wonders "what could have been."
Clem is the oldest and in college--for awhile. He flunks out because he discovered sex and couldn't control his lust. He doesn't know what he wants.
Betsy was very popular in High School but she rebels against her parents and sadly cuts herself off from them.
Perry is the problem. He's a drug addict and dances on the edge. He falls in and is mentally damaged.
Judson is in grade school and is absorbing all this.
The power struggle over Crossroads was interesting. Poor Russ has to face that he is just a "has been." The kids don't like him.
But I liked this book and recommend it.
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