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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This Pulitzer winner (1928) has been on my radar for awhile (I've been trying to read at least 5 Pulitzer winners a year and this was my 3rd of 2021). It's a short book, and the writing itself is technical as and beautiful, but somehow, I just didnt enjoy reading it that much. Part of my issue was that each chapter focuses on a different character which is vaguely connected to others in the book, not unlike in Olive Kitteridge. My other issue was that is felt almost... aloof? Like there was a sweetness but also a sarcasm or mockery to each story and I wasnt sure if I liked any of the characters. Both of my issues are more personal taste than any true "issue" with the book, so dont let me discourage you if you're considering, but it wasnt for me.
Давно хотел прочитать, и вот, наконец-то добрался.
Замечательная книга, о вере, любви и, конечно, людях, в которых живут эти чувства.
Замечательная книга, о вере, любви и, конечно, людях, в которых живут эти чувства.
A short, concise book that explores its themes by painting portraits.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
This was pleasant, but I felt so disconnected from the story for most of this book. I get the sarcastic tone several people have pointed out in their reviews. And I liked elements of the story and the prose, but I just wasn't feeling that connection to truly bring me into the story. Now, the whole story is told from an outside source looking back to see why these five died on the bridge that day. Were the wicked punished or was it an accident that has no source? That's the central question that never gets resolved. It is left to the reader, sure; but it's also only raised in the first and final (5th) parts of the book. What got me the most was the middle (Parts 2 through 4) where it was a series of short stories more than an continuous story. It allows for the exploration of each character to meet their fate on that bridge, and yet there isn't much exploration. The characters felt muted and yet somehow caricatures of people.
I can see giving this a reread in the future. Maybe I'm just not in the right place for this story at this time. It was still good, though.
I can see giving this a reread in the future. Maybe I'm just not in the right place for this story at this time. It was still good, though.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I heard of this book in a throwaway comment in a film, and wouldn't have come across it otherwise.
It manages to be both literary and accessible, which isn't always the case with prize-winning books.
I'm glad I sought it out.
It manages to be both literary and accessible, which isn't always the case with prize-winning books.
I'm glad I sought it out.
4 1/2 stars.
The premise is interesting and ambitious. A religious man, named Brother Juniper, tries to examine the lives of 5 people who just passed away in an act of God (a bridge collapsing). Brother Juniper's faith leads him to believe that there is some reason that these 5 were chosen to die. Maybe there is something about them that is evil, something that goes against God, or maybe it is clear from their stories that they sinned in a way where they deserved to die.
As we delve into the stories of these people, we (along with brother Juniper) realize that is this far from the truth. All of them are human with all the good and bad that includes.
I did think that Wilder could have used a different structure or way of presenting the novel. It was good, but there were certain parts of certain stories that were less interesting to me and I wanted to see Brother Juniper's examination of these people. Instead, we are served with stories of them which works, but I don't think is as effective as it could have been.
It was a 4 star book until I reached the last line, which I absolutely loved. It refers to an existential issue all humans face. How long will we live? How will we be remembered? I think I will be going back to it time and time again as I face all the things life has and will continue to deal me.
“We ourselves shall be loved for awhile and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.”
The premise is interesting and ambitious. A religious man, named Brother Juniper, tries to examine the lives of 5 people who just passed away in an act of God (a bridge collapsing). Brother Juniper's faith leads him to believe that there is some reason that these 5 were chosen to die. Maybe there is something about them that is evil, something that goes against God, or maybe it is clear from their stories that they sinned in a way where they deserved to die.
As we delve into the stories of these people, we (along with brother Juniper) realize that is this far from the truth. All of them are human with all the good and bad that includes.
I did think that Wilder could have used a different structure or way of presenting the novel. It was good, but there were certain parts of certain stories that were less interesting to me and I wanted to see Brother Juniper's examination of these people. Instead, we are served with stories of them which works, but I don't think is as effective as it could have been.
It was a 4 star book until I reached the last line, which I absolutely loved. It refers to an existential issue all humans face. How long will we live? How will we be remembered? I think I will be going back to it time and time again as I face all the things life has and will continue to deal me.
“We ourselves shall be loved for awhile and forgotten. But the love will have been enough; all those impulses of love return to the love that made them. Even memory is not necessary for love. There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning.”
This book brought my 50/50 February to a grinding halt. "How?!" you ask, "It's so short, it's practically a zine! It won a pulitzer prize! You loved [b:Theophilus North|112970|Theophilus North|Thornton Wilder|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348945032s/112970.jpg|1885789]!" To which I say, "because it is kinda boring."
Very amazing book. Thought provoking and a good evening.