The Bridges of Madison County

ASIDE FROM THE TOPIC...

I actually had heard about this book, and the movie, which I have never seen, as I am from Iowa (although not that part). I really think this book goes far beyond a romance novel, although it might appeal if you like those. But it is much deeper than that, as it is not only about love. It is about renunciation, and true connection between two people, and it is about destiny, and fate. It is also about unachieved dreams, and it is about understanding. Those are not themes covered by your average romance novel. <BR/>I think you understand this book better if you are from the rural Midwest, although the theme can be anywhere, any place. But, if you are from small town America, you get the parts of this book that elevate it above just a love story. To me, the book encompasses lots of things. I think Francesca's lack of fulfillment in her marriage and in rural Iowa are more understandable if you know what those towns and people are like. She is deeper than they, and her passion for Robert Kincaid is as much as about unfulfilled dreams as love. She is deeper than the people around and deeper than her husband, and has never known true love. She finds understanding and perfect passion, but it doesn't last in practical reality. But the connection and bond between her and Robert Kincaid is there across the miles, and I think you might have had to experience some of these things to like this book. <BR/>Adultery is a very realistic topic for fiction, and it isn't a bad one. It gives the flavor of the bittersweet even more to this book. I don't know how you could not like this book on those grounds. It makes it that much more realistic, like it could have happened. At any rate, especially about the Iowa parts of this book, I found myself just thinking exactly when I read about some of that stuff, and you have to understand the background to get the story. The background is spot on, and it makes the story come alive. However, I really liked this book, even though this isn't the stuff I normally read.

5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

It doesn't get better...

Written in 1992 by Robert James Waller,it stayed on the best seller list for over 150 weeks. This is the story of Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid. Francesca is a once-lovely Iowa farm wife, Robert is a photographer/poet/writer. They begin a four day affair that changes their lives forever. Not just about lust and sex, their story is about soul mates, eternal love, devotion, loss and magic. The book is written as a true story, in fact, it's all fiction. "There are songs that come free from the blue-eyed grass,from the dust of a thousand country roads. This is one of them." is the first line of the book. Written beautifully in lyrical prose, this is a must read. I own two copies of the novel, two copies of the book on tape, and two copies of the film. I named my youngest daughter Madison. Yes, it's that good.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

-_-

couldnt even finish it. i know its a classic...guess its just not for me.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Still makes me think about life and cry every time I read it.

I first read this book a couple of years ago and immediately fell in love with it and cried at the end. I think we all wish for a moment we could have a love like Robert and Francesca's--maybe some people do. Not only does this book focus on a love story it also makes you think about the choices that you make in your life. As Francesca said 'We are the choices we make.' Two misfits manage to find their way together. An absolutely wonderful story. The movie is well done too. Have a box of tissues ready.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Renuka Singh, Writer/Photographer

This book intrigued me deep down in my heart! It brings out what most of go through and crave for in real life. It fulfills what we dream of in love. This is what we call passionate love- when you are inside the person you love. Short-lived romances are often more magical. It's a must read for all those people who beleive in love, beauty, passion, magic...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Unbreakable Love

I new about this book from a while back and just got around to reading it. I fell utterly and completely in love with the book. Francesca and Robert had a love so deep that it was timeless and ageless. It brought tears to my eyes because I could releate to their dilemma. This was not only a book about true love but it was also a book about how love does not conquer all when faced with real life responsibilities. Two other books that I've read with the characters facing similiar situations are The Notebook and Dear John. If you haven't read those books, please do...they are tearjerkers.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Classic!

I love the book and I love the movie. I fully understood everything Francesca was going thru. Definetly hit home for me. Great read for a rainy day or on a cold winter day with coffee or hot chocolate.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A timeless love story

I read this book at least once a year.It is so powerful that I know when I pick it up I will not put it down until I am done.It is supburbly written. I had a 'Robert Kincaid' love in my life over 20 years ago and I can feel every word in the depths of me. I can not imagine that anyone could ever portray this magic, bittersweet love story better than Robert James Waller.I wish I could thank Robert for touching me in the way that he has with this book.His words are a warm remberence.They reach out and embrace. They ever so gently caress.They are as soft as butterfly wings and as strong as ocean tides. I smile, I cry, I reflect and most of all I savor wonderful memories.However, maybe if you have not loved in this all consuming, spiritual, magical way you will not feel the true power of this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Repulsive

What a repulsive little book. It's NOT romantic to have an affair. It's wrong. And mean-spirited. She betrayed the one person she had vowed to be true to. If she couldn't keep that vow, she needed to get out. Also, just because you're a farmer doesn't mean you're stupid. If you're smart enough to make a living at farming, you're smarter than average.

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Just my thoughts......or my whispers

Don¿t even try to say you¿ve never done it. Lust that is, after someone. The Bridges of Madison County is a well written contemporary classic about a heart thrashing, tear jerking love affair. Yes ladies it is the chic flick on paper. It all starts with a city man asking for directions in a little country town where everybody knows everybody. Her name was Francesca Johnson she was married with kids and he wasn¿t. It was an extremely secretive affair. When Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid meet, her family was out of town at the state fair in Illinois and Robert Kincaid was a photographer for National Geographic. When he first asked for directions she should have just told him the directions instead of getting in the truck with a stranger, not forgetting you¿re a married woman that lives in a small, noisy, country town. If she wouldn¿t have gotten into his truck named Harry to show him the bridge, she wouldn¿t have had to experience the pain of loving someone that you can¿t have. If she wanted to show it to him she could have drove her truck and he could have followed. This less than 5 minute ride to the bridge was enough to trigger both Francesca¿s and Robert¿s attraction towards each other. One thing differently I would have done if I were Francesca, would be that I would have written him a letter and kept in touch. She could have written Robert letters in her spare time. Francesca thought she was so sad; imagine not having anything at all to remember the person your in love with, but a piece of paper that was pinned to a bridge. Robert Kincaid had nothing to look at from Francesca, but that note. She had a picture, a few letters, jewelry, and cameras. She had a variety of things to remind her of their love. He had nothing but a note, no longer than 3 sentences. I guess that¿s what partly made this book so good to know that he loved her the way he did, because it is always heart warming to hear a man say I love you and mean it. This book is my favorite book, because it expresses true love and it also teaches you to never ever let anything or anyone pass you bye. This book should be read by everyone. It isn¿t only a chic book. It clearly states the way Robert Kincaid loved Francesca Johnson and the way she longed for him. So it might just teach guys that it¿s okay to fall in love with a girl. This is now my favorite book and I could read it 20 more times and be just excited as I was the first time I read it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

YOU MUST CHECK IT OUT!

This is an interesting love story that can happen to people when they least expect it proving that true love does exist for some under unusual circumstances and does affect them for a lifetime and beyond.

Garbage

Oh what a waste of time.

Excellent read.

Loved it. Very touching.

Simple

I picked up this book a whille ago at a book sale because some old ladies said that it was one of their favorite books. I found this book to be annoying because the love in this book was very much what i would expect to find in young adult fiction. I also thought that the characters were very simple. I really dont understand the hype. If you are looking for a simple and short love story, then you will like this book. Otherwise, i think that there are a million other books out there much more worthy of your time.

A sweet story

I don't think that Mr. Waller is the greatest writer in the world, but he certainly knows how to tell a sweeping story. I really enjoyed this tale, and shed a few tears toward the end.

Wonderful

A very good book. If you want a heart breaking story this is the one for you. All through the book i longed for things to happen but they never did, and that is what makes this book so good. Even though you want one thing to happen it is the fact that it does not that makes it a truly good book.

Powerfully Poingnant, and convincingly deceptive

From a literary standpoint, it is a remarkably written book with very convincing characters and plot. Because it is powerfully written, and the emotions are carefully crafted, I was completely drawn in. But when I set the book down, I was appalled at myself. I found that I no longer felt it was wrong to cheat on a spouse. That for 'true love', it was necessary and even right to cheat. Up front, I'll say I'm naive. But while I don't mind understanding both sides of situatons, I don't like being craftily convinced of something that so clearly is hurtful to others. For my part, I threw it away.

A Wonderful Love Story

I love the story of Robert and Francesca. I have not read the book yet, but recently bought the movie and loved it so much that I watched it over and over again. Looking forward to the book!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Indulge your inner schmaltz

Waller channels Rod McKuen in this late-in-life wannabe Romeo and Juliet. Truth be told, the author seems a bit more in love with Robert Kincaid than any woman ever could be - rather narcissistically, given that Kincaid is pretty much a Clint Eastwood-shaped Mary Sue. Still, Waller manages the occasional good line, and it's a sad enough story to be a little moving, despite being served up as the centerpiece on a ham and cheese plate.

A wonderful story about "true love."

True love; I believe comes around once in a lifetime and maybe twice if you're extremely blessed. Waller has a refined way of showing us that love and how in the most of unexpected ways, it can blind us and take us on the ride of our lives, never to be forgotten, right down to the senses.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.