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sarahanne8382's review against another edition
3.0
After receiving a mountain of mail begging for the rest of the story about Robert (we more or less learn Francessca's whole story in Bridges), Waller finally satisfies his fans by telling a story of the later years of Kincaid's life interwined with memories of woman from his early days. This woman comes to play a bigger role in his life than he realized, but Francessca is still the possessor of his heart. This one still maintains the mood of Bridges, but is not an essential tale. If you liked Bridges and want to live in Robert's world a little longer, check this one out.
amotisse's review against another edition
4.0
This is somewhat gut wrenching.
I suppose from their beautiful story, we already knew that they never saw each other again, but it is so frustrating that they should miss each other only by a few minutes, it seems so cruel.
I liked Carlisle's story. It was nice for Robert Kinkaid to find more than less at the end of his days, despite the brevity and sadness.
It was a thoughtful story, as in pensive and though I enjoyed it, it didn't move me in the same way as the first.
I suppose from their beautiful story, we already knew that they never saw each other again, but it is so frustrating that they should miss each other only by a few minutes, it seems so cruel.
I liked Carlisle's story. It was nice for Robert Kinkaid to find more than less at the end of his days, despite the brevity and sadness.
It was a thoughtful story, as in pensive and though I enjoyed it, it didn't move me in the same way as the first.
coinchantal's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted this to be as fulfilling and likeable as part 1. It was, but only after I had read the first half of the book. I couldn't get into it because it was written in another way as part. It was more difficult to read and not as natural. Still, it was a good story and I loved reading it. So that is why only 3 points.
vikingwolf's review against another edition
2.0
This was better than the first book as it explores how Robert and Fransesca almost meet again when he returns to see the bridges in Iowa once last time. I was kinda rooting for them to meet again, the big sap that I am!, but of course you know that they will not. It explores part of Robert's life and a previous girlfriend that he meets again on his final travels. A good quick read for those who liked the film and wondered 'why does he not go and see her!!!'
pickleballlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent book that ties up some loose ends from Bridges of Madison County. While not as great as Bridges, I highly recommend this for fans of that book.
rachelevolve's review against another edition
3.0
May contain spoilers.
I didn't know where this book was heading at the beginning. At first I wondered if I was even reading the epilogue to Bridges.
I remember I once went to a performance by Dave Brubeck, the recently deceased famed jazz musician. Dave was wrapping up a wonderful show when he asked the audience if we had any special requests, and of course, having not yet heard him play Take-5, we all echoed take-5. But Dave asked if instead we wouldn't prefer to listen to Laura, but we were like "noooo, we want take-5!" people kept chanting Take-5, Take-5! Dave Brubeck was so annoyed. With a frown Dave swatted the audience, as if to say, "you people always asking for the same thing, always wanting to hear take 5." and so Dave rolled his eyes and pushed out the shittiest rendition of Take-5 he has ever done. He did that on purpose, just to show us. I felt so cattle-like at that moment. A bunch of dopes.
It seems as if Robert Waller did this with A Thousand Country Roads to shut up undying fans of his original novel The Bridges of Madison County. He probably wanted to turn people on to Laura, but people were like noooo, Bridges! I Can't exactly say it was "a shitty rendition", but it definitely felt like a toss of a dirty metal bowl of food on the porch for the dogs type of deal.
I guess readers simply couldn't accept the fact that Francesca and Robert don't ever meet again. We all knew that from the first book, so why read this one? For me it was wanting to have them in my heart, alive again. I remember reading Bridges back in the early 90'a and literally bawling my eyes out, same when the movie came out, which is odd because movies to me don't usually translate well on film, but it was that good. I think many people easily dismiss bridges because "it's a love story of two old people"... but replace Meryl and Clint with two young sexy actors and I think it would've had a broader, wider appeal. This entire novel has been unfairly judged by many from the beginning, even myself, thinking how silly and sentimental the title alone was.
I recommend this book to people who read The Bridges of Madison County, or watched the movie.
I didn't know where this book was heading at the beginning. At first I wondered if I was even reading the epilogue to Bridges.
I remember I once went to a performance by Dave Brubeck, the recently deceased famed jazz musician. Dave was wrapping up a wonderful show when he asked the audience if we had any special requests, and of course, having not yet heard him play Take-5, we all echoed take-5. But Dave asked if instead we wouldn't prefer to listen to Laura, but we were like "noooo, we want take-5!" people kept chanting Take-5, Take-5! Dave Brubeck was so annoyed. With a frown Dave swatted the audience, as if to say, "you people always asking for the same thing, always wanting to hear take 5." and so Dave rolled his eyes and pushed out the shittiest rendition of Take-5 he has ever done. He did that on purpose, just to show us. I felt so cattle-like at that moment. A bunch of dopes.
It seems as if Robert Waller did this with A Thousand Country Roads to shut up undying fans of his original novel The Bridges of Madison County. He probably wanted to turn people on to Laura, but people were like noooo, Bridges! I Can't exactly say it was "a shitty rendition", but it definitely felt like a toss of a dirty metal bowl of food on the porch for the dogs type of deal.
I guess readers simply couldn't accept the fact that Francesca and Robert don't ever meet again. We all knew that from the first book, so why read this one? For me it was wanting to have them in my heart, alive again. I remember reading Bridges back in the early 90'a and literally bawling my eyes out, same when the movie came out, which is odd because movies to me don't usually translate well on film, but it was that good. I think many people easily dismiss bridges because "it's a love story of two old people"... but replace Meryl and Clint with two young sexy actors and I think it would've had a broader, wider appeal. This entire novel has been unfairly judged by many from the beginning, even myself, thinking how silly and sentimental the title alone was.
I recommend this book to people who read The Bridges of Madison County, or watched the movie.
booksnest's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
tomaind's review against another edition
3.0
This was a quick read, but I never became too involved in the story. I thought The Bridges of Madison County was much better. I would have been happy with the way that book ended. I really didn't need to read this "Epilogue".