Heavy, heavy fuel

In an effort to kick-start my own book, I decided to read Jonathan Franzen for inspiration.
No, I had not read him before.
For the millions that have read Franzen outside the US, an equal number seem to have not.
Now, halfway through ‘Corrections’ I suspect this is because his themes are heavy - life and relationships. Mostly their decay.
However, I am mesmerized by his ability to turn a simple act like, say, eating a cookie, into a deep, evocative, word-busting event, without sounding poncy.
Like a skilled artisan, even the small weave in his huge tapestry is exquisite.