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gavig's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
kategci's review against another edition
4.0
Chris of Wildmoo Books and Thomas of The Readers have inspired me to read more of Willa Cather. I had read 2 over the past couple of years and have decided to read the rest in order this year. I picked this up while on a book jaunt with some other Booktoopians; the Melville House Novella edition drew me to it. This is set on the east coast of the US as well as Europe and is the story of a bridge architect who loses his way personally and professionally. He is unable to make a decision and thus he keeps hurting the people who are most important to him. As well, he ignores his conscious and does not make professional decisions. This was a quick read and not as deep as Cather's later works, but it is a great example of a flawed protagonist inadvertently destroying that which he is trying to save.
Addendum: I have reread this for a discussion with the Willa Cather book group I belong to and led by the aforementioned, Chris. I have a much better appreciation of this book as I have read all but 2 of Cather's other novels. I have increase my rating to 4 stars as it is well written. This is Cather's first published novel and while she was not as pleased with it as she was with later works, there are clear through lines connecting her novels. Description of place, clothes and scene are all strong in this book. At times, the main character, Bartley Alexander is a little overwrought and dramatic in his thoughts. In later novels, her characters seem to keep a tighter rein on their emotions. Overall, this is a quick, worthwhile read.
Addendum: I have reread this for a discussion with the Willa Cather book group I belong to and led by the aforementioned, Chris. I have a much better appreciation of this book as I have read all but 2 of Cather's other novels. I have increase my rating to 4 stars as it is well written. This is Cather's first published novel and while she was not as pleased with it as she was with later works, there are clear through lines connecting her novels. Description of place, clothes and scene are all strong in this book. At times, the main character, Bartley Alexander is a little overwrought and dramatic in his thoughts. In later novels, her characters seem to keep a tighter rein on their emotions. Overall, this is a quick, worthwhile read.
lgpiper's review against another edition
4.0
The first thing you need to know is that Willa Cather wrote this book. That is really all you need to know. That means, of course, that this book is a GoodRead. As nearly as I can tell from Wikipedia, this is Cather's first "novel", although perhaps novelette would be more apt. It's fairly short. She published it as she was closing in on 40. She had published short stories and a bunch of magazine thingies previous to this book, but no novels. Those many delights for us readers came from her later life.
The book is about an engineer who is famous for his bridges. But there's very little about the bridges and rather a lot about Bartley Alexander, his wife, Winifred, and his first love, an actress named Hilda Burgoyne. I don't think I'll say any more. Like all Cather books, this one is not a riotous adventure, so if you're looking for dragons, stud-muffin sword wielders and hotty archer chicks, you won't find them here. What you will find is an engaging exploration of the human condition, in this case a man who feels like there two different people living inside him (not such an unusual feeling, as nearly as I can tell).
The book is about an engineer who is famous for his bridges. But there's very little about the bridges and rather a lot about Bartley Alexander, his wife, Winifred, and his first love, an actress named Hilda Burgoyne. I don't think I'll say any more. Like all Cather books, this one is not a riotous adventure, so if you're looking for dragons, stud-muffin sword wielders and hotty archer chicks, you won't find them here. What you will find is an engaging exploration of the human condition, in this case a man who feels like there two different people living inside him (not such an unusual feeling, as nearly as I can tell).
oldenglishrose's review against another edition
3.0
Alexander’s Bridge tells the story of Bartley Alexander, an American engineer famed for building bridges. He lives a perfect life in Boston with his loving, supportive wife Winifred. However, his life starts to unravel when business takes him to London and he meets Hilda Burgoyne, an Irish actress with whom he had been in love when he was younger. He begins to question how happy he really is and soon finds himself divided in two and under the terrible strain of leading a double life.
It seems that I picked a particularly interesting author for my reading in order experiment, as Cather later distanced herself from this first novel of hers, saying that it ‘does not deal with the kind of subject matter in which I now find myself most at home‘ and that: "The difference in quality in the two books is an illustration of the fact that it is not always easy for the inexperienced writer to distinguish between his own material and that which he would like to make his own. Everything is new to the young writer, and everything seems equally personal. That which is outside his deepest experience, which he observes and studies, often seems more vital than that which he knows well, because he regards it with all the excitement of discovery."
She continues: ‘The writer, at the beginning of his career, is often more interested in his discoveries about his art than in the homely truths which have been about him from his cradle.’ Certainly, this book was not what I was expecting from what I have heard about Cather’s later and more famous works. Alexander’s Bridge has quite an urban focus, which I hadn’t anticipated, and the way that it develops puts me in mind more of Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence than what I had been awaiting from Cather. The plot does feel a little strained at times, and this may well be because she is trying to mimic other literature than to write her own, although equally it may reflect the tensions between the characters, echoed in the bridges that Alexander builds.
However, I do not agree that this makes Alexander’s Bridge a book filled with ‘youthful vanities and gaudy extravagances’ as Cather terms these early works of a writer; although the plot is somewhat lacking there are moments in the writing of quiet introspection and deep beauty. For all it feels as though she is writing someone else’s plot, she still does so from her own perspective and with her own perceptive vocabulary, allowing the emotions of her characters to shine through in a way that is instantly understandable. Take, for instance, her description of Bartley Alexander’s thoughts as he becomes increasingly dissatisfied with his perfect life: "His existence was becoming a network of great and little details. He had expected that success would bring him freedom and power; but it had brought him only power that was in itself another kind of restraint. He had always meant to keep his personal liberty at all costs… He happened to be a engaged in a work of public utility, but he was not willing to become a public man. He found himself living exactly the kind of life he had determined to escape. What, he asked himself, did he want with these genial honours and substantial comforts? Hardships and difficulties he had carried lightly; overwork had not exhausted him; but this dead calm of the middle life which confronted him — of that he was afraid. It was like being buried alive."
Moments like this one make the novel worth reading, despite the disappointing storyline. It shows a thoughtfulness, an insight and an awareness of humanity which hopefully develops into something really special in her later works. I can’t wait to continue on my journey through Cather.
It seems that I picked a particularly interesting author for my reading in order experiment, as Cather later distanced herself from this first novel of hers, saying that it ‘does not deal with the kind of subject matter in which I now find myself most at home‘ and that: "The difference in quality in the two books is an illustration of the fact that it is not always easy for the inexperienced writer to distinguish between his own material and that which he would like to make his own. Everything is new to the young writer, and everything seems equally personal. That which is outside his deepest experience, which he observes and studies, often seems more vital than that which he knows well, because he regards it with all the excitement of discovery."
She continues: ‘The writer, at the beginning of his career, is often more interested in his discoveries about his art than in the homely truths which have been about him from his cradle.’ Certainly, this book was not what I was expecting from what I have heard about Cather’s later and more famous works. Alexander’s Bridge has quite an urban focus, which I hadn’t anticipated, and the way that it develops puts me in mind more of Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence than what I had been awaiting from Cather. The plot does feel a little strained at times, and this may well be because she is trying to mimic other literature than to write her own, although equally it may reflect the tensions between the characters, echoed in the bridges that Alexander builds.
However, I do not agree that this makes Alexander’s Bridge a book filled with ‘youthful vanities and gaudy extravagances’ as Cather terms these early works of a writer; although the plot is somewhat lacking there are moments in the writing of quiet introspection and deep beauty. For all it feels as though she is writing someone else’s plot, she still does so from her own perspective and with her own perceptive vocabulary, allowing the emotions of her characters to shine through in a way that is instantly understandable. Take, for instance, her description of Bartley Alexander’s thoughts as he becomes increasingly dissatisfied with his perfect life: "His existence was becoming a network of great and little details. He had expected that success would bring him freedom and power; but it had brought him only power that was in itself another kind of restraint. He had always meant to keep his personal liberty at all costs… He happened to be a engaged in a work of public utility, but he was not willing to become a public man. He found himself living exactly the kind of life he had determined to escape. What, he asked himself, did he want with these genial honours and substantial comforts? Hardships and difficulties he had carried lightly; overwork had not exhausted him; but this dead calm of the middle life which confronted him — of that he was afraid. It was like being buried alive."
Moments like this one make the novel worth reading, despite the disappointing storyline. It shows a thoughtfulness, an insight and an awareness of humanity which hopefully develops into something really special in her later works. I can’t wait to continue on my journey through Cather.
sin_flore's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
chewbazza's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
rainbow1218's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mirtlifthewise's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
katmackie's review against another edition
4.0
A powerful portrait of a man in crisis - midlife crisis - and his attempts to feel young again while still holding on to his present life and responsibilities. As he gets further caught in his desires, he loses control of things he worked hard for, amongst other things.
I didn't relate to Alexander's choices, but he didn't really frustrate me either. I understand why people say he's selfish - but I think Cather really showed a realistic portrayal of a human in earnest conflict, as well as the consequences of rampant indecision and inner turmoil. Alexander get's eaten away by his own vacillation, and while he sucks others into his despair (some unknowingly) the reader will certainly see what's about to happen during the climax. Alexander grows to have a weak foundation, and we see what this can do to a person, as well as all involved in their plight. Alexander may well be plainly selfish if one were to explain his predicament quickly (as I basically did by using the term 'midlife crisis,' bringing to mind new cars and ill-planned extravagances), but to read Cather's portrait I saw someone miserably grasping at the few crucial choices they presented for themselves, and the very real despair of time passed all too soon.
I didn't relate to Alexander's choices, but he didn't really frustrate me either. I understand why people say he's selfish - but I think Cather really showed a realistic portrayal of a human in earnest conflict, as well as the consequences of rampant indecision and inner turmoil. Alexander get's eaten away by his own vacillation, and while he sucks others into his despair (some unknowingly) the reader will certainly see what's about to happen during the climax. Alexander grows to have a weak foundation, and we see what this can do to a person, as well as all involved in their plight. Alexander may well be plainly selfish if one were to explain his predicament quickly (as I basically did by using the term 'midlife crisis,' bringing to mind new cars and ill-planned extravagances), but to read Cather's portrait I saw someone miserably grasping at the few crucial choices they presented for themselves, and the very real despair of time passed all too soon.
akbates's review against another edition
3.0
Again I love the Barnes and Noble Library of Essential Reading Series, it brings me books I would have missed. Very different style from her other works, not as compelling but interesting and worth a read.