Jonathan Earl Franzen (born August 17, 1959) is an American novelist and essayist, known for his profound impact on contemporary literature. His 2001 novel The Corrections, a sprawling, satirical family drama, drew widespread critical acclaim, earning Franzen a National Book Award and making him a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The novel also received a James Tait Black Memorial Prize and was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award.

His novel Freedom (2010) garnered similar praise, culminating in an appearance on the cover of Time magazine alongside the headline "Great American Novelist". Franzen's contributions extend beyond novels; he has been a consistent contributor to The New Yorker magazine since 1994 and made notable commentary on the state of contemporary literature through his 1996 Harper's essay "Perchance to Dream". His engagement with Oprah Winfrey's book club selection of The Corrections in 2001 led to a well-documented feud with the talk show host.

Franzen's latest novel, Crossroads, published in 2021, is the first in a projected trilogy, continuing his exploration of American life and family dynamics. Beyond fiction, Franzen has published two works of nonfiction, How to Be Alone and The Discomfort Zone, both of which delve into personal and societal issues with his characteristic insight and wit.