The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Franzen, Jonathan. Crossroads. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2021.

Jonathan Franzen's novel Crossroads is written from the third person point of view and in the past tense. Although the author employs unconventional approaches to point of view, structure, and form, the following summary relies upon the present tense and a linear model.

It is December of 1971, and the Hildebrandt family is anticipating Christmas at their home in New Prospect, Illinois. Russ Hildebrandt is the associate minister at the local church, First Reformed, and is distracted by his recent attraction to his parishioner, Frances Cottrell. Ever since she joined the congregation, Russ has been eager to get close to her. He invites her to the church groups he directs, and does everything in his power to get her alone with him. Though he knows that inviting her to drive the toy donations to their sister church in the inner-city is inherently wrong, he rationalizes his actions. He tells himself that his wife, Marion, is to blame for his unhappiness.

While Russ savors his six hours alone with Frances, Becky Hildebrandt is basking in the lingering thrill of her first kiss. She has been interested in Tanner Evans ever since he encouraged her to join First Reformed's youth program, Crossroads. She did not expect Crossroads to give her a transformative experience, and believes her newfound religiosity will bring Tanner closer to her. Despite the fact that Tanner is already dating someone, Becky thinks it is time to take a risk. After some weeks of chasing Tanner, they finally kiss. The next morning, Becky's spirits are buoyant. She decides that in order to resolve what happened between them, she must see him that night. When they meet up, however, Tanner still has not ended his relationship. Becky is wounded.

Perry Hildebrandt decides to become a better person. When he joins Crossroads and discovers that the leader, Rick Ambrose, and Becky think he is an egotistical troublemaker, Perry feels convicted. He decides to sell his stash of drugs and use the money to buy presents for his family. When he hears Becky crying in her room, he tries comforting her. Though he knows he is only being kind so Becky does not narc him out to their parents, Becky interprets the gesture as evidence of Perry's selflessness.

Marion rushes out for her therapy session. During her session, she has a breakthrough, and confesses her darkest secrets to her therapist. As a young woman, Marion struggled with manic depression and was hospitalized. She slept with a married man and had an abortion. When she met Russ, she was desperate to discard this version of herself, and hid the truth. Now, Marion feels guilty and trapped in her marriage.

After therapy, she tracks down her old lover's phone number and buys two packs of cigarettes. Then she meets up with Perry, and tells him about her mental health history and her concerns over his mental health.

Meanwhile, just before returning home for Christmas break, Clem Hildebrandt decides to drop out of college. He feels guilty that he has used his academic draft deferment, and trapped by his all-consuming relationship with a girl named Sharon. He convinces himself that leaving school and joining the war in Vietnam will grant him ultimate freedom. When he breaks up with Sharon, however, he feels guilty.

Clem arrives at First Reformed, desperate to talk to Becky. When he finds her, however, she is irritable and rude. He feels as if he does not recognize her. Then, when Clem finds his father in his office with Frances, he becomes convinced that Russ is cheating on Marion. He tells his father about going to Vietnam, and races home. At home, he tells his mother the news. Marion tells him to return to Sharon, insisting that he cannot give up on love. Clem boards the bus, but decides to start a new life in New Orleans instead.

When Russ returns home, he is shocked that Marion is drinking and smoking in the house. Although they argue, Russ suddenly feels attracted to his wife's oddly volatile behavior. When he tries to touch and kiss her, she pushes him away and tells him he has her permission to be with Frances, in whom she knows he is interested.

In the spring, the Crossroads group prepares for their annual trip to Arizona. They travel to a Navajo reservation and work with the tribe on various building projects. This year, Russ is especially excited about the trip because he has recently been accepted back into Crossroads, and because Frances is coming along. While on the mesa, Russ and Frances sneak away and have sex in a small house. Afterwards, Russ says he has no regrets. However, when they rejoin their group, Russ discovers that Perry has been caught under the influence and in possession of illegal drugs. Perry has also suffered a psychotic break, and burned down one of the farm buildings on the reservation. He immediately contacts Marion who is on vacation in Los Angeles.

Although Marion went to California to reunite with her ex-lover, Bradley, she resists her impulse to sleep with him. Feeling morally empowered, she is calm and resolved when she receives the news about Perry. When she and her husband reunite, they make amends.

Meanwhile, Becky's relationship with Tanner has rapidly advanced. The summer after she graduates from college, they take a trip to Europe together. While away, Becky gets pregnant. Because she told God she would not harm the child, she keeps the baby and marries Tanner.

When Clem hears about his family's state of affairs from his mother and sister, he races home to New Prospect. He finds that Becky no longer needs him or their parents. He realizes that he will have to prove his loyalty to her.