The Bridges Of Madison County by Robert James Waller : A Review

BOOK TITLE: The Bridges of Madison County

ISBN: 9780446364492

AUTHOR: Robert James Waller

GENRE: Romance

NUMBER OF PAGES: 200

FORMAT: Paperback

SERIES / STANDALONE: Standalone (but contains an epilogue separately)

HOW I GOT THIS BOOK: A well thumbed, well recommended paperback dating back to the early nineties arrived to me from a neighbour.

REVIEW:

          Romance was never my favourite genre. And if I do take up a book of this genre, it has to come with heavy recommendations, real moving stories and, you know, the works. This book did come with those. I was handed a really well-worn copy of the book which had seen many living rooms and many tears of joy, sadness, poignant reflections, etc.

          Given a slightly rainy weather and a rebellious ‘Why not try romance?’ attitude, I picked this book up. And to say that this book was not living up to its expectations would be wrong. What did I expect in a romance novel? Should there be sparkling fight scenes or historical facts that will blow your mind? This book will give you neither.

          Instead, this book is like a slow poetry. A lonely farm wife spends her days in an amicable neighbourhood. All is settled and well for her. In comes the enigmatic photographer, a man who is mildly poetic, much like a slow verse that is hard to understand, and its very beauty lies in that. You will enjoy the book if you like rainy evenings, hot teas and calm rooms with only the book for company.

          Francesca Johnson, a lonely farm wife finds herself attracted to the guy who can make her girly Italian dreams come true. He is the very embodiment of the twilight dreams she had as a girl. Robert Kincaid was to her what her husband could never be. When he arrives at her doorstep asking for directions, she finds herself drawn to him. Before long, the two strangers bond with cooking supper, candlelight dinner, and slow dances progressing to the bedroom.

          At 45, romance blossoms for Francesca towards the 52 year old wildlife photographer who is feeling too confined by the bland everyday life. Inside the graceful gazelle is a stalking panther that is breaking out of his norm when he finds this lonely farm wife who has intelligence hidden beside the calm easy going exterior.

          The plain evening turns into something magical and before long, the week of his work in Iowa gets over and finally it’s time for Robert to leave. And he offers to take her away from her life and just go into the western sunset. But Francesca refuses. This is a story that takes place in the sixties, and the farm wife, though tempted by the offer, declines as the images of her loving husband, kids comes in front of her.

          Francesca doesn’t want her kids to be shamed in the small town due to her selfishness. She braves the bittersweet romance instead of a shameful and selfish exit. There comes a time when she wants to rush out towards him, but the moments pass and she pours out all her feelings into a letter for her kids, asking them not to judge her for what she has done.

          The story starts with Francesca’s kids coming up to the author and asking him to write out their mother’s story. He starts and slowly gets involved with the story. So much so that he goes in search of Robert Kincaid only to find him dead. It would not be good to reveal the story and the twist of how and why it happened. Read it at your own leisure. And enjoy the story in its base principle:

          “Analysis destroys wholes. Some things, magic things, are meant to stay whole. If you look at their pieces, they go away”

WHAT I LIKED: The theme, slow movement of the story, poetic beauty.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER: Too slow paced, like the good old sixties, not quite suited for the modern sensibilities.

VERDICT:

If you could understand, or want to know what it is to love so deeply and to leave that love for the sake of better good, read this book. (That’s how the reviewer feels)

Moreover, if you want to read about a love that would change your whole life and never leave you a same person again, go for it. (That’s how the author feels)

RATING: 3.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

          Robert James Waller (b. August 1, 1939, Rockford, Iowa) is an American author, also known for his work as a photographer and musician.

          Waller received his BA ('62) and MA ('64) from University of Northern Iowa (then known as Iowa State Teachers College). He received his PhD in business from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington in 1968.

          Later that year he returned to UNI and began teaching management and economics, and in 1977 became a full professor. He became dean of the College of Business in 1980 and retired from that position in 1986. He made a "seven figure" donation to Indiana University.

          Several of his books have been on the New York Times bestseller list including 1992's The Bridges of Madison County which was the top best-seller in 1993. Both that novel and his 1995 novel, Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, have been made into motion pictures. Waller currently resides in Texas.

EDITIONS AVAILABLE: Paperback, Digital.

PRICE: Rs. 353 for paperback

BOOK LINKS: http://www.amazon.in/Bridges-Madison-County-Robert-Waller/dp/0446364495