Bridges of Madison County [Import] [Paperback]

Robert James Waller (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Arrow Books Ltd; New Ed edition (1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0749324783
• ISBN-13: 978-0749324780
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (409 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Botched Opportunity Revealed by Film, January 27, 2000

By 

C. Colt "It Just Doesn't Matter" (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bridges of Madison County (Hardcover)

Robert J Waller botched his opportunity to make "The Bridges of Madison County" an interesting novel. The book contains fascinating themes of conflict including the struggle of choosing between passion and loyalty, and the difficulty of coming to terms with a mother's secret love affair. Unfortunately, rather than exploring these themes, Waller makes them the vehicle for a cardboard love story.

The hero, Robert Kinkaid might have been believable if Waller had endowed him with human qualities. Instead, Waller portrays him as a middle-aged superman: lover, artist, pacifist yet war hero, impoverished, yet glamorous, lovable but unavailable. His discourse is sometimes witty and often cheesy, but never quite believable. I know that Waller wanted to make Kinkaid engaging and appealing, but the resulting character is a two dimensional fantasy.

The Heroine Francesca is a bit more believable when she expresses her erotic feelings for Kinkaid and works through the dilemma over whether to run away with him or to dutifully remain with her husband. Unfortunately, Waller renders her character meaningless with vapid remarks about how Kinkaid should go on without her because she'll only cramp his style. The condescending manner in which she posthumously explains her love affair to her children comes across as artificial, and insulting.

I think the film version of "Bridges of Madison County" starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep succeeds where the book fails. Contrary to the book, Francesca angrily accuses Kinkaid of being selfish and egotistical-a flaw which he admits. Her objection and his subsequent admission provide the relationship with more dramatic tension and make it more believable. The fact that Kinkaid has his flaws makes him more believable and more appealing. Instead of being insipid characters that introduce the story, Francesca's children experience emotional conflict and character development of their own. The revelation of their mother's infidelity comes when each of them is experiencing a crisis in their lives. At first, the shock and shame of their mother's affair adds to their troubles. But slowly they come to terms with her affair and subsequently derive the courage and inspiration from it needed to repair their own lives.

I might not have given "Bridges of Madison County" a second thought and certainly would not have wasted time reviewing it if the film version had not revealed its failed potential to be a decent novel.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars revolting, June 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bridges of Madison County (Mass Market Paperback)

I picked up Bridges because of all the hype surrounding it and ended up throwing it against a wall. The writing is sappy, cliched and straight out of Freshman English 101. It also defied logic. Bridges is a shinning example of the power of publicity. I was very, very disappointed.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you've ever really been in love you'll "GET" this book, September 21, 2004

By 

J. A. Gant "asturnut" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bridges of Madison County (Hardcover)

If you're a miserable cynic, you'll hate it. I am not a fiction reader. I am purely a lover of non-fiction. But a friend pleaded with me to read this book. When I finally broke down and picked up the book, I could not put it down. I finished it in about 5 hours.

People can say whatever they want about it being contrived romance, but this book puts you inside of what it feels like to be in a very intense romance that some (real) people really experience. I've been there, I know the anguish and intensity of the love this book describes. There really are people who love, speak and act this way.

People who don't get this book are bitter and angry that they can not concieve of such intense loving and living. If you love to love, and love an incredible quick read, this book is for you.

I wept for a good half hour when I finished this book despite myself. Enjoy!
-- A non-fiction loving, non-sap from New Jersey