Reviews

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

thesimplereader's review against another edition

3.0

So, so, so sad. What can be said about this book that hasn't already been touched on? Ahh.. what a story.

reader1147's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

spiderelsa's review against another edition

3.5

I understand why this book traumatized whole generations. I feel like this also is a piece of the American convinction that 'I didn't die' is a great achievement and endorsement from childhood adventures. I guess I'm glad I now have this cultural touchstone. 

sandiet's review against another edition

4.0

Very late to the game reading this wonderful book. Definitely a children's/teen's book but it's a satisfying read for anyone. If you've ever struggled with being different or not being able to find your own voice, Bridge to Terabithia teaches us how to be brave and move forward in the face of bullying and death. I really enjoyed this book and I have no shame in saying this brought tears to my eyes. Well written and will appeal to all ages.

catbrigand's review against another edition

2.0

Okay, I know I’m not the target demographic for this book. I read Jacob Have I Loved and Lyddie in elementary school and hated them so much that I swore off the other things that Paterson had written, so I read this for the first time as someone in her late 20s. But I couldn’t get into it. At all.

rissa41's review

challenging emotional sad

4.25

alli_thebookgiraffe's review against another edition

2.0

honestly after seeing this movie many years ago and many times in my life I thought this tiny book would be a no brainer to love. I was sadly wrong.
it started out that I didn't like Jess. he was just mean and flat as a character. he was unrelateable and annoying. then when he reacts to what happens closer to the end he just seems like he doesn't care for a while. I just don't get his character. he ruined it for me. loved the movie, hated the book.

bungadinding's review against another edition

3.0

Kenanganku tentang Terabithia adalah sewaktu nonton filmnya (dibintangi Josh Hutch dan AnnaSophie Robb) bareng ibuku di bioskop, waktu aku SMA. Terus aku nangis. Nggak ingat juga kenapa waktu itu rasanya sedih banget, nggak bisa berhenti sampai filmnya selesai.

Filmnya ternyata cukup nurut dalam mengadaptasi novelnya. Aku ingat garis besar alur filmnya. Yang sebelumnya nggak aku perhatikan di film adalah dinamika antara Jess dan keluarganya. Somehow ingin ini lebih dieksplorasi. Ingin ada lebih banyak waktu yang dihabiskan Jesa dan Leslie di Terabithia. Novelnya terasa singkat sekali.

dreadandsolace's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Solace: My heart! I totally get why people love this book. This story is an amazing telling of a friendship going from painful change into beautiful growth and meaningful loss. I loved the characters, the relationship between them, and the dynamics at battle between them (gender, class, familial roles). The ending absolutely destroyed me. The realness and relatability with what our main character goes through is thick and palpable - it's just so well done. 

The Dread: My only criticism is a pacing concern, and that's really only because of the back cover. The book preview revealed that something happens, which we don't encounter until we're 100 pages in. Knowing somethings coming made me aware and catch more foreshadowing than I might have if I didn't know, though.

Overall, I am cry. I am in awe of the way this story captures friendships, and loss so accurately. This was just so heartbreakingly incredible.

tthe_cancerian's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad fast-paced

4.5

emotionally damaging but the friendship was so damn beautiful.