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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I originally read this novel in high school, and had almost no memory of it, except for the bridge falling that is mentioned in the first sentence. I decided to pick it up again after reading about it on Jeremy Anderberg’s Read More Books Substack (he is reading all of the Pulitzer-winning fiction; The Bridge of San Luis Rey won in 1928).
So what did I think of it this time? It’s a set of interconnecting stories, all of which kept my interest. The language was sometimes slow going, but often beautiful. This novel retained all of the five stars that I originally gave it mostly because of the final few lines, which are stunningly evocative.
As an aside, I totally enjoyed the lengthy afterword, written by A. Tappan Wilder, Thornton Wilder’s nephew. He tells the story of the creation of “The Bridge”, and how it influenced Thornton Wilder’s life, and also how the novel has endured in the almost one hundred years since its publication.
So what did I think of it this time? It’s a set of interconnecting stories, all of which kept my interest. The language was sometimes slow going, but often beautiful. This novel retained all of the five stars that I originally gave it mostly because of the final few lines, which are stunningly evocative.
As an aside, I totally enjoyed the lengthy afterword, written by A. Tappan Wilder, Thornton Wilder’s nephew. He tells the story of the creation of “The Bridge”, and how it influenced Thornton Wilder’s life, and also how the novel has endured in the almost one hundred years since its publication.
This is a good, but short, book. It is very well crafted. It is deep and philosophical in some places, and just funny in others. Wilder captures human personalities so well.
It was very moving in parts, but I really struggled with others. The introduction really drew me in, but it was patchy otherwise. I just couldn't really get into it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was recommended this little book by a friend, and although I procrastinated horribly on reading it, I am very glad I did. The characters are lovely, their stories are poignant, and Wilder's writing is a joy to read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Single-mindedness of the book is very interesting. Basically it's nothing but a number of psychological portraits: any actions that are described are motivated by illustration of the characters or tracking their development, their passion. Practically no attempt is made to complicate the construction of the story and craft some additional plot driver, suspense source. In this sense you might call it truly unadulterated literary fiction.
I wasn't blown away by it but don't quite see how it could have been better at its thing than it is. As it is basically just a series of oddball character portraits it naturally reminded me of Weinsburg, Ohio, only this book is more nakedly optimistic (it earns it by aspiring to be more of a universal fable, I guess).
I wasn't blown away by it but don't quite see how it could have been better at its thing than it is. As it is basically just a series of oddball character portraits it naturally reminded me of Weinsburg, Ohio, only this book is more nakedly optimistic (it earns it by aspiring to be more of a universal fable, I guess).
For such a small book it gives you a lot to think about.
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated