Customer Reviews

Bridge of Sighs

5 star:		(84)
4 star:		(46)
3 star:		(33)
2 star:		(21)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

I don't think that anyone could dispute that there are countless advantages to achieving literary success, but the flip side of that coin is that that there are disadvantages as well, some of which are born of those aforementioned perks. Winning a prestigious award like, say, the Pulitzer Prize, which Richard Russo did in 2002 for his previous novel, Empire Falls, gives an author freedom to explore the range of their talents without the interference of an editor. This is a blessing, no doubt, but can also be a hindrance for a writer like Russo, who has a tendency to get so caught up in his lush storytelling that it may come across as endless rambling to the casual reader. That he actually has a firm grasp on the plot no longer matters, because that impatient reader will already be lost to the story. And that's quite a shame when it comes to "Bridge of Sighs" since it's actually quite a good novel despite the fact that a good editor could have pruned some passages here and tightened a few plot-points there. The first hundred pages in particular are a little slow, but stick with it. Russo is one of the best storytellers in current fiction, and trusting him a little will be well worth the early effort.

After winning the Pulitzer Prize Russo took a gamble on a different format with a short story collection entitled The Whore's Child: Stories, which was an unfortunate misfire for him, an author who truly shines when he sticks to what he knows best, and in that regard "Sighs" is a glorious return to form. What Russo really understands are middle-aged characters (especially men) with seemingly simple ambitions and quiet lifestyles - in short, the average American citizen. Like Marilynn Robinson (another Pulitzer winner, she for her novel Gilead: A Novel), his talents lie in making ordinary lives extraordinary. He did it for Miles Roby, the college dropout and proprietor of the Empire Grill in "Empire Falls," and he does it again for Lou `Lucy' Lynch, the college dropout and owner of Ikey Lubins Corner Market at the epicenter of "Sighs" (you probably noticed how similar those character descriptions sound, but don't be fooled - Russo is an expert at playing off the tried-and-true without making it feel redundant for a second).

What "Sighs" is ostensibly about is the relationship between Lynch and Robert Noonan, his childhood friend who is now a successful artist living in Venice while Lynch remains (stagnates?) in their old hometown of Thomaston, NY. The two men are polar opposites: Lynch timid and needy, prone to `spells' when he feels stressed and can't handle it, Noonan aggressive and independent, prone to lashing out with his fists when someone tries to cross him; Lynch comfortable living in the past and fearing tomorrow while Noonan actively tries to escape his past and runs headlong into the future. Their dueling narratives flesh out the complexities of their on-and-off friendship, culminating with their recollections of their fateful senior year of high school, a year that proved to be the catalyst for the rest of their lives. At the end of that year, as we know from the very beginning of the novel, Lynch will have won the hand of Sarah, the girl they both fell in love with and who was torn between them for an agonizing year and, perhaps, beyond, and Noonan will have run away to find his destiny in the wider world. As in "Empire Falls," Russo manages to seamlessly blend predictability with some genuine surprises for a heartfelt and multi-layered climax. Seeing how they all ended up where they are is all part of the superb ending, so anyone who doesn't make it through to the end will be missing out. Big time.

But the deeper theme of the novel has to do with our families and how they shape who we are - whether we want them to or not. For Lynch, a nervous and needy person, looking at his parents there was never any question which one he would rather be like: his (foolishly?) optimistic father easily won out over his sensible, grounded mother because what Lynch desires more than anything else is for his father's simple, good-hearted vision of how the world works to be true. The possibility that life can be senseless and cruel is terrifying to him, therefore he rejects it outright. And yet, he is his mother's son, so his optimism represents a choice rather than an inclination, and somehow he must strike a balance between his reality and his desire. Noonan hates both of his parents equally - his father for being a domineering and abusive presence and his mother for being a weak-willed depressive too damaged to get out of her own way. And though he rejects both of them, it terrifies him to know that he is more like them than he would care to admit. Sarah, meanwhile, is literally torn between her parent's disparate world's thanks to their separation and subsequent divorce: summers with her free-spirited, alcoholic mother and school years with her eccentric, rigorously intellectual father. Through them, Russo explores the holds our parents have on us and how, whether we want them to or not, our families mold our lives, and neither Lynch, Noonan or Sarah will ever truly be at peace until they come to terms with the parts of their parents that reside in their own selves. "Do you think we'll end up like them?" Sarah asks at one point. "What if it isn't up to us? What if we're going to end up like them and there's nothing we can do about it?" It's brilliant stuff, deftly handled by Russo, whose acuity for his leads and how they behave and why is nothing short of revelatory. He also scores big with his bit players - his affection for the mischievous Uncle Dec and embittered Gabriel Mock Jr. is palpable.

But as I said earlier, Russo is best at dealing with what he understands, and while he brings 98% of the cast to vibrant life, he seems uncertain of how to handle characters like Hugh, an effete Manhattan intellectual, or Kayla, an African-American preteen living in poverty on Long Island. Lucky for Russo, those misfires are few and far between.

They say that still waters run deep, and this novel, despite looking like a creek, is a veritable ocean. Despite its flaws, "Bridge of Sighs" is a thrilling and enjoyable read once it's had time to get going. Reading this book was a truly effecting experience for me; I can't stop thinking about it, and that, in my humble opinion, is the true test of what makes a great novel.

Grade: A-

Russo seems to be one of the last truly American writers. A Norman Rockwell painting with a distinct and necessary twist. And I was anxious to get my hands on his latest. After EMPIRE FALLS, six years seemed a long wait.

Following along the lines of Russo's signature offerings, we have Smalltown America, the deterioration of a lifestyle, and middle aged people coming to terms. Except these middle-agers were the young people back in the forever-young, don't-trust-anyone-over-30 `60s. And I think this shadow of declining youth and a sagging industry town that once bustled with prosperity gives this novel its melancholy feel. Nonethless, it's enjoyable reading, not to forget the droll touches that are so uniquely Russo. One important aspect, as in Russo's previous work, is the interplay between father and son.

These touches and more all make for a solid read, but I have to say, I don't believe it's Russo's best.(I so much prefer EMPIRE FALLS and NOBODY'S FOOL).

Russo once said: "When a favorite author of mine comes out with a new book, I always hope for two contradictory things: first, I hope it's like all the other books of his or hers that I love, and second, I hope he's not going to repeat himself. Sure, it's a paradox, but I suspect I'm not alone in my desires."

Bridge of Sighs is exactly that--a great book that'll feel both familiar and fresh to Russo readers. I'm a long-time fan of his books and Bridge of Sighs is everything I hoped it would be; it's also a book I'd press on anyone who hasn't read his previous work. Highly recommended.

Ask what "Bridge of Sighs" is about and you're confronted with a myriad of potential answers. It's about life in a small town you say, or perhaps the pursuit of the American dream. Maybe it's really about realism versus idealism, or family dynamics, or the class, racial and economic division within a community. Truth be told it's about all of these, but ultimately it's a story of despair and unresolved emotional attachments.

Richard Russo has liberally peppered his narrative with fascinating characters, and taken a perceptive look at the anxieties, doubts and situations experienced in youth that are the stone from which the identity of each character is carved. We have our protagonist Lou (Lucy) Lynch filled with naïve idealism and ever present optimism, a trait that he inherited from his father. Tessa, his mother, is the unfaltering realist with a pragmatic approach to living life. Tommy Marconi (Noonan) - is a man Lucy considers to be his friend.....a man who uses his artistic talent as an outlet for his rage and for who control is a requisite for living.

Other characters, wives, lovers, parents, sons, and friends are intricately woven through this multi-faceted story creating depth and adding dimension to a tale that, like Russo's Empire Falls, can barely be contained between the covers of this novel.

Bridge of Sighs makes one unmistakable point----- we are all an amalgamation of the parental input, life experiences and insights that have brought us to a metaphorical bridge. We can choose to cross the proffered bridge or fall into the chasm of memories (some of which may be clouded by time and age).

After having this book on my shopping list, waiting for its release, I was excited when I opened the package to see the cover of Bridge of Sighs. I sat down immediately to begin this big book. Richard Russo KNOWS small towns, and how they work, and how the people interact and love and hate and exist. Empire Falls has intrigued me each of the times I have read it, and the movie is wonderful as well, being superbly cast.

Bridge of Sighs falls short. Way short. I put it back on the shelf twice, having given up on it. Yet, I kept wondering what happens when they all get to Italy, so I retrieved it and started in once again. Well, you who have read it know what happens so I won't divulge that here. Suffice it to say I was disappointed.

And bored. I hate to admit it but yes, I was bored by this book. This small town was somehow less relevant, and the relationships were all strained and unhappy. Weird, even. I was bored by the people and bored by their problems. I felt that conclusions about causation were wrong, and weakened the book.

I will always run right out and buy a Richard Russo book, but I hope next time I will be more richly rewarded.

Richard Russo is one of a half-dozen authors whose books I buy sight unseen. I have laughed and cried reading his novels, especially my favorite, Nobody's Fool, but also the chilling Empire Falls and the burlesque Straight Man.

So I was delighted to get yet another novel from an author who doesn't write as much as I'd like, and it's a big meaty one. As one of the other reviewers pointed out, you want your favorite authors' books to be like his or her other books, but you want them to be different. And Bridge of Sighs is about as different as possible from Russo's other books, yet at the same time his depth of character, humanism and touching details are ever-present.

The story tells the tale of Lou C. Lynch (nicknamed Lucy), and his relationship with his family, his only friend, and eventually his girlfriend who will later become his wife. It's vintage Russo in his characterization and portrayal of small-town America, a tiny slice of life of a small town in upstate New York. This is what's called a "character-driven novel", where the plot itself is dependent on the characters and their actions, and that explains why some reviewers found the book "slow" or "wordy". Russo weaves a tapestry of the events in his characters' lives, their feelings, and their thoughts.

I won't deny that I was a bit thrown by this book after a while. But I trusted Russo to bring this story to a moving conclusion, and had tears in my eyes during the final chapter. If you don't have patience to read a true stylist and, in my opinion, on of America's finest character authors, you'd best avoid this book. But if you are willing to give yourself up to Russo's world for more than 500 pages, you'll be much the richer. As always, Russo gives a great story, with moving, real people in events that you can imagine occurring to you. A great read indeed.

Richard Russo has not only become one of my favorite two authors (along with Pat Conroy), but the Bridge of Sighs is one of the best books that I've read this year. Russo is not as prolific as other authors, but his books are worth the wait.

The Bridge of Sighs is told in two voices--Louis C. Lynch (Lucy) and Robert Noonan.
The book starts with the boys as neighbors and elementary schoolmates in the dying fictional tannery town in upstate New York, Thomaston. Most of the story belongs to 60 year old Lucy, who is writing the story of his life. Lucy was never popular and while intelligent, he was more of a plodder. His best and only friend Bobby was brash, over-confident and a fighter. He would also disappear for periods of Lucy's life. During high school, Lucy and Bobby teamed up with Sarah Berg, who becomes Lucy's wife and also figures prominently in the story. Lucy comes from the most stable family, and their family grocery store, Ikey Lubin's, becomes a home for them all. "It was clear that she [Sarah] loved not only the Lynches but also Ikey Lubin's, as if the store satisfied some deep craving, and everything she could ever imagine was right there on the shelves."

While writing his life's story, Lucy and wife Sara are planning a trip to Venice. Lucy's childhood friend is now a famous artist living in this enchanting city. But Lucy does not like leaving Thomaston and his family suspects that he will do something to sabotage the trip. Little does anyone know the scars they all carry from childhood and how that baggage still affects their lives. Also, there are still unresolved issues between Lucy, Sarah and Bobby that need to be addressed.

Nobody writes small town dramas like Russo, and Bridge of Sighs is filled with wonderfully fleshed-out characters (and I mean characters), bullying, racism, unrequited love and the trauma of adolescence. It is also filled with heroes. There's Big Lou (Lucy's sweet, overly optimistic father), Tessa (Lucy's realistic but good-hearted mother), Sarah (Lucy's lovely, long-suffering wife), and Lucy himself. Despite the fact that these are fictional characters, I came to love them and care about what happened to them. But where Russo really moved me was his expertly-woven plot and how everything came together at the end. In fact, it's a book that I didn't want to end.

Bridge of Sighs is definitely worthy to stand along with Russo's other masterpieces including Empire Falls, Mohawk, and Nobody's Fool.

Let me begin by stating that I enjoyed this novel. Characters that you care about and can understand, living in a recognizable place and time, rich prose - Bridge of Sighs has everything I look for in a novel -and then some. And some more. Too much coming of age, not enough grappling with the here and now - that's what dragged down the pace of the novel until it stimulated impatience. It would have been great to know more about Lou and Sarah now. After they had lived through all those momentous, while at the same time ordinary, events. Years after. Bobby, on the other hand, receives better treatment - we know where he is, who he is, and why he is the way he is. It's the length and the author's maudlin compulsion to keep going over the same old ground that prevents this novel from becoming more. Nevertheless, what's good about it makes it worthwhile, if not great.

"The sun don't shine
The moon don't move the tides,
to wash me clean
Sun don't shine
The moon don't move the tides,
to wash me clean
Why so unforgiving and why so cold
Been a long time
crossing Bridge of Sighs"
Robin Trower, 'Bridge of Sighs'

Richard Russo has written a novel of a small town, Thomaston, NY, and the lives of three main characters that intertwine throughout. The story is told from the outlook of Lou C Lynch or Lucy as he is called. He begins the story by writing a novel of his life as he sees it. There is Lucy, from a loving family but with differing opinions from each parent; Bobby from an abusive family that shapes his life, and Sarah, the only child of a divorced family. Characters enter and leave and give us their perspectives of life in small town NY to Long Island to Venice. We are privy to class strata in each vicinity, racism and societal images. The shape of our future we come to believe may focus on our optimism or pessimism and how we view life. Do we leave small town America and strike out on our own, or do we live our lives in the same town of which we are born? In either locale, Richard Russo tells us, "This, is "the narrative of our family, its small, significant journey. Is this not an American tale?"

This is a long involved novel, overwhelming at times. As the story moves along, Bobby takes over the narrative and at age 60, as a successful artist living in Venice, he reviews the time of his adolescence and how the memory shaped or mis-shaped the views he held. Sarah, after being married for 40 years takes time of reflection to tell her tale. She says, "Odd, how our view of human destiny changes over the course of a lifetime. In youth we believe what the young believe, that life is all choice. We stand before a hundred doors, choose to enter one, where we're faced with a hundred more and then choose again. We choose not just what we'll do, but who we'll be."

Richard Russo has given us much insight with these characters, and it is up to us to make of it what we will. The view of Bobby, as the artist brings us to 'The Bridge of Sighs'. Does our view of life impede us, bring us down before we can move on? It depends, I think from our personal view on the bridge.

"The Bridge of Sighs (Italian: Ponte dei Sospiri) passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. The view from the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge name, comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice out the window before being taken down to their cells." Wikipedia

This novel left me with a feeling of sensibility and ease. We may leave our home and traverse the world, but in the end most of us can return to the place we know and the people we love the best. As Lucy says, "We will leave this small, good world behind us with the comfort of knowing it'll be here when we return."

Highly, Highly Recommended. prisrob 10-13-07

Straight Man: A Novel

Empire Falls

. . . but I didn't--not like Empire Falls or Straight Man. My main problem, I think, was that I didn't find one character I could really cheer for. Most of them were just exasperating. Do all boys really love their fathers this way, as one character remarks? Lord, I hope not. Lucy made me want to scream. At times it felt like Russo was trying to rescue certain characters by giving them sections of the narrative that might flesh them out a bit, or provide insights into who they were (or could have been) when they weren't trapped in their small town, but it felt too random. Nor will I ever understand why Sarah, having gotten out of tiny town and into Cooper Union, and who had some spunk along with her talent, could go back and marry Lucy. Just to be part of the Lynch/Ikey's family? Well, maybe I'm wrong about the spunk. At the end of the book, Russo credits his editor for saving the book. Well, maybe--but honestly I think there was a lot more editing to do. I don't know what to emerge from this book thinking; don't know what Russo is telling me about these people. I got tangled in all the plot threads. What is the reason for Lucy's spells? Is this all about parallel lives and the hopelessness of dying towns? If you're determined to read it, wait for the paperback that you know is coming, and find a couple of erudite readers to hash it out with. Probably a great book club book!