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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
reflective
medium-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
The premise of the story was interesting and there were some well-written lines, but this was a shockingly mediocre book. I expected more since it's a Pulitzer Prize winner.
The story moved at a decent pace but I still put the book down multiple times because it was so boring. If this book was any longer, I would have given up on it. I couldn't get myself to care about any of the characters. The background stories for each character weren't terrible but they also weren't particularly rewarding and didn't do much to make me want to read more. There were some big ideas addressed — like why good or bad people die when they do — but the answers the author seemed to give felt simple and unsatisfying.
In the end, I wouldn't say this book is worth reading.
The story moved at a decent pace but I still put the book down multiple times because it was so boring. If this book was any longer, I would have given up on it. I couldn't get myself to care about any of the characters. The background stories for each character weren't terrible but they also weren't particularly rewarding and didn't do much to make me want to read more. There were some big ideas addressed — like why good or bad people die when they do — but the answers the author seemed to give felt simple and unsatisfying.
In the end, I wouldn't say this book is worth reading.
If you are seeking anything of historical value, this is not the book.
If you are seeking the simplicity of Our Town, this is also not the book.
The characters are not likable
The book is fast moving - or possibly it is because I listened to it, but you do not get attached to the characters (well maybe the actress or the Mother Superior a bit, but not much).
I'm giving it 2 stars because I finished it, but not because it was worth finishing.
If you are seeking the simplicity of Our Town, this is also not the book.
The characters are not likable
The book is fast moving - or possibly it is because I listened to it, but you do not get attached to the characters (well maybe the actress or the Mother Superior a bit, but not much).
I'm giving it 2 stars because I finished it, but not because it was worth finishing.
There was some definitely beautiful language in this short novel, but I couldn't feel strongly about any of the characters. In addition, this was a cause of an audio book being hindered by the reading style of the narrator.
Yet another disappointing Pulitzer to add to my list of disappointing Pulitzers. Yes, this book explores many important philosophical topics. Yes, the writing style is beautiful. Yes, the stories of the individuals involved in the collapse of the bridge are interesting. Yes, trying to use math to determine a person's worth using a system of markers and scores is fascinating. BUT, none of this added up to a fun read for me. Frankly, I was bored for most of the book, although I did enjoy the story of Esteban.
I was surprised to find this book shelved in both the adult and YA sections of my local library - I teach high school and I don't know many students that could handle the weighty Bridge of San Luis Rey, or would even try to finish it. I would NOT recommend this one for teens.
I am also going to add that I read this book before bed each night while on sleep-inducing allergy medication, so I might not have appreciated it as much as I could have. I think this one will need to be reread so I can assess it more fairly.
I was surprised to find this book shelved in both the adult and YA sections of my local library - I teach high school and I don't know many students that could handle the weighty Bridge of San Luis Rey, or would even try to finish it. I would NOT recommend this one for teens.
I am also going to add that I read this book before bed each night while on sleep-inducing allergy medication, so I might not have appreciated it as much as I could have. I think this one will need to be reread so I can assess it more fairly.
Wilder's 1928 Pulitzer Prize winning analysis of love and its disappointments was a quick read... indeed, two hours and time to eat a hot pocket. The setting of a 1714 Peruvian bridge crashing made for some very interesting characters, my favourites being an ambitious and spoiled actress; the introspective, shy twins; the convent's Mother Superior and her battle with her faith and God. I hadn't read any Wilder since we read Our Town in high school, and this was much more satisfying!
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No