Jonathan Earl Franzen (born August 17, 1959) is an American novelist and essayist. His 2001 novel *The Corrections* drew widespread critical acclaim, earned Franzen a National Book Award, was a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction finalist, earned a James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award. His novel *Freedom* (2010) garnered similar praise and led to an appearance on the cover of *Time* magazine alongside the headline "Great American Novelist". Franzen has contributed to *The New Yorker* magazine since 1994. His 1996 Harper's essay *Perchance to Dream* bemoaned the state of contemporary literature. Oprah Winfrey's book club selection in 2001 of *The Corrections* led to a much publicized feud with the talk show host.