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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Perplexing. There was some great writing I enjoyed, but there were parts that seemed to ramble on.
Also, I found that the story wasn't about what the monk documented, but what he was unable to document, leaving me to wonder who was narrating (which is never revealed) and how the narrator came to acquire that knowledge (also not revealed).
Also, I found that the story wasn't about what the monk documented, but what he was unable to document, leaving me to wonder who was narrating (which is never revealed) and how the narrator came to acquire that knowledge (also not revealed).
“Some say that we shall never know, and that to the gods we are like the flies that the boys kill on a summer's day, and some say, to the contrary, that the very sparrows do not lose a feather that has not been brushed away by the finger of God.”
- Thornton Wilder, The Bridge of San Luis Rey
This little book seemed perfect to me.
There once stood a bridge in Peru, situated over a gauge, that one day, without sign or warning, broke. Five people fell to their end, five people each making a journey from one side of the bridge to the other, only for their journey to be suddenly and irrevocably altered.
Brother Juniper is fascinated by this. Brother Juniper wonders why this these five were chosen, why God willed these five to no more lead their earthly lives. There must be a reason. Brother Juniper spends years of his life pondering this question, asking friends, family and acquaintances of the deceased what they were like, how it could have been that God saw fit to do what he did. What he found he compiled in a book, and a very good one at that.
Although the premise is a religious one, this story feels more about people. We learn of such rich and developed characters whose lives overlap in intriguing ways. Wilder gives us just enough time with each character’s story, before concluding it neatly. I’d love to read this again, I’m already thinking about it.
- Thornton Wilder, The Bridge of San Luis Rey
This little book seemed perfect to me.
There once stood a bridge in Peru, situated over a gauge, that one day, without sign or warning, broke. Five people fell to their end, five people each making a journey from one side of the bridge to the other, only for their journey to be suddenly and irrevocably altered.
Brother Juniper is fascinated by this. Brother Juniper wonders why this these five were chosen, why God willed these five to no more lead their earthly lives. There must be a reason. Brother Juniper spends years of his life pondering this question, asking friends, family and acquaintances of the deceased what they were like, how it could have been that God saw fit to do what he did. What he found he compiled in a book, and a very good one at that.
Although the premise is a religious one, this story feels more about people. We learn of such rich and developed characters whose lives overlap in intriguing ways. Wilder gives us just enough time with each character’s story, before concluding it neatly. I’d love to read this again, I’m already thinking about it.
Speedy summary: A famous foot bridge in Peru breaks killing 5. Brother Juniper witnesses this and vows to examine the lives of each and determine why.
Thoughts: A short novel that weaves together the lives of individuals and ponders why they died. Each chapter covers the life of someone on the bridge and the end discusses the "reasons" that they may have died. Though you get no concrete answers, you see the links between people and in relationship. A quick, short novel that had a fun style.
Check out @realreaderreallife on instagram!
Thoughts: A short novel that weaves together the lives of individuals and ponders why they died. Each chapter covers the life of someone on the bridge and the end discusses the "reasons" that they may have died. Though you get no concrete answers, you see the links between people and in relationship. A quick, short novel that had a fun style.
Check out @realreaderreallife on instagram!
This is one of those short yet evocative books, the type that sticks with you longer after you finish reading. It's well written, stylish, fast moving—a real classic. Chance connections—when different threads suddenly join—are inherently fascinating, and Wilder exploits this to its full potential. Haunting yet rewarding.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
I went into this book expecting something very different, I expected it to be more about religion than it was. While it is true that most of the characters were religious, that wasn't the focus at all. Instead, I found a moving story about human lives, how the victims of this tragedy were connected to one another, and how love influences their lives.
One of the things you question as a religious person is why God allows tragedies to happen. I thought that this question presupposes that God micromanages our lives, and I think that it's a very unfair view. The character of the monk in this book initially believed that the fall of the bridge and the subsequent deaths were a result of a punishment. Instead, the characters' backstories and motivations for being on the bridge on that day, at that moment were far more complex. I thought this illustrative of how real life is also more complex and often averse to simple explanations.
Each story of each character was rich and thoughtfully introduced and told. The threads of how their lives cross with each other were beautifully woven, making for a complete story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will think of it in the months to come.
One of the things you question as a religious person is why God allows tragedies to happen. I thought that this question presupposes that God micromanages our lives, and I think that it's a very unfair view. The character of the monk in this book initially believed that the fall of the bridge and the subsequent deaths were a result of a punishment. Instead, the characters' backstories and motivations for being on the bridge on that day, at that moment were far more complex. I thought this illustrative of how real life is also more complex and often averse to simple explanations.
Each story of each character was rich and thoughtfully introduced and told. The threads of how their lives cross with each other were beautifully woven, making for a complete story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will think of it in the months to come.
It was a really interesting premise but it didn't actually go anywhere. I was disappointed that there was no analysis by the monk at the end, which seemed to be the original point. More detail on the reception to the study would have deepened it as well. The character sketches were still very well done. And it's weird how much of my reading lately references the same classical Spanish poets and playwrights.