Reviews - The Bridge of San Luis Rey

The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder

634 reviews for:

I read this book while in highschool and did not really like it. I could not see the point in it. Since it is a classic and won a Pulitzer Prize in 1928, I thought I would tackle it again 40 years later.

I found myself not really like it too much again, but this time I got the point, but not until the very end. It was still a bit depressing as it delved into the lives of 5 people who died while crossing a bridge that snapped. Why them is the premise of the book. The characters were all a bit depressing in themselves. But in the end, it is all about love.

annacwick's review against another edition

2.0

Meh. I wanted to like this book after reading the premise....and actually I still want to read a book with that premise. I thought this book had poor execution on it's proposed premise. Parts were also confusing (many names for the same person, for example), and I just couldn't get into the story or the characters. A disappointment.

wardatulr's review against another edition

3.0

Interesting, curious, but dry? I don't understand the mixed reactions I have for this book.

rlibran's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective sad medium-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

mslaura's review against another edition

2.0

I had such high hopes for this book. It sounded like a plot I should love, and it's a classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning book by one of America's best-loved authors. How could it not be a wonderful reading experience? Somehow, though, I just didn't enjoy it. I never came to feel anything for any of the characters and the writing didn't age well for me. I was anxious to just finish it and move on. Sigh.

rockymtnhite's review against another edition

4.0

Thornton Wilder's prose is just as wonderful as his plays. Poignant and life-affirming. Loved it.

jilliegirl's review against another edition

3.0

Another classic that had been in my stack for a decade or more. I rather enjoyed this book, which surprised me. I think I would have enjoyed it even more had I known a single thing about Peru in the 1700's...the social class stuff was a little baffling for me. I would recommend this book and could see reading it again.

the_lilypad's review against another edition

3.0

3.5ish stars

I really enjoyed all the characters and brother juniper’s questioning of why things happen. But I wasn’t transported Lima or sucked into the story as much as I would’ve liked.