The Bridges of Madison County

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It's a hit!

It has been a while since I read this book, but it's one that sticks out in my mind, so I thought I would post a review. A lot of the reviews say t... (show more)

It has been a while since I read this book, but it's one that sticks out in my mind, so I thought I would post a review. A lot of the reviews say that they did not like the book (were disgusted with it actually) because of the adultery. I can understand that (and I am completely against the idea of adultery myself), but I think there's a bigger story here. This woman did not set out to commit adultery. She loved her family, including her husband, and was living her life, somewhat oblivious to the fact that even though she loved them that she wasn't really happy. It was when this stranger appeared, someone that really didn't feel like a stranger at all, that she realized that she had missed out on so much in life. The adultery aside, this man provided her with the simple things that she was missing in life. He enjoyed and appreciated the things that she did, he was someone that she could talk to easily, and he was someone who understood her, the real person that she had supressed to become what her family needed her to be. Had he stayed around a little longer and had they just simply fell in love instead of including the adultery, this would truly have been a great love story. But, I doubt that story would have turned into a movie. :-) What it did add to the story was that this woman was able to feel passion and experience for a few days someone who appreciated and understood her, but in the end she chose not hurting the family that she loved over her own needs from life. I think what makes this a good story (one that sticks with you) is that it makes you think about so many different things, whether you hate her, feel sorry for her, or can in some way identify with settling for a life that is so much less than what you imagined...or all of the above. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook User

No, it's a flop!

Although I loved the photographic references in the book & the characters were rich & colorful, I found myself disappointed in the last half. The ... (show more)

Although I loved the photographic references in the book & the characters were rich & colorful, I found myself disappointed in the last half. The writing is very poetic & a lot of the emotions portrayed were very real. It was very sad to me & the ending with the children reading the letters & finding out the truth was equally sad & made me feel very awkward as the reader. I would want my children to know the truth, but I'd face them before the end & never divulge the details of the intimacy. I don't believe that is very characteristic of mothers, because she must have known the pain, confusion & guilt that would've been born of her clearing her conscious. I do appreciate a book making me feel that wide variety of emotions, but I wouldn't make this a favorite. It should not be lost on anyone who is curious about the book, I'm glad I read it finally. I hope that Francesca & Robert can be together in that other dimension that lured them into such a torrid affair. (show less)

 

 

by Christel Gregg

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  After reading The Bridges of Madison County, I feel like puking. This is not a love story. Its a book about adultery and how to get away with it. I just couldn't bring myself to feel sympathy for this woman who on a whim decided to cheat because she was just plain bored. Nothing worth wasting sympathy on. Can't believe these two people who only saw each other for a brief period could carry the torch the rest of their lives. The children reading the story and thinking that it was just wonderfu... (show more)

  After reading The Bridges of Madison County, I feel like puking. This is not a love story. Its a book about adultery and how to get away with it. I just couldn't bring myself to feel sympathy for this woman who on a whim decided to cheat because she was just plain bored. Nothing worth wasting sympathy on. Can't believe these two people who only saw each other for a brief period could carry the torch the rest of their lives. The children reading the story and thinking that it was just wonderful without feeling even a little sorry for their father doesn't ring true. Sorry..can't recommend. (show less)

   

  by Facebook User on Feb 24, 2009 at 04:49AM

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  It’s very short and a very quick read. It’s a love-story about two people who meet by chance but who are unable to stay together. However, it’s also a story of adultery. Francesca paints her relationship with her husband as being very unfulfilling and at one point tells Kincaid how she gave up a job she loved because her husband didn’t like her working.

  I guess that’s believable that Francesca would put up with this kind of relationship as the book starts in 1965 - but as her children ar... (show more)

  It’s very short and a very quick read. It’s a love-story about two people who meet by chance but who are unable to stay together. However, it’s also a story of adultery. Francesca paints her relationship with her husband as being very unfulfilling and at one point tells Kincaid how she gave up a job she loved because her husband didn’t like her working.

  I guess that’s believable that Francesca would put up with this kind of relationship as the book starts in 1965 - but as her children are virtually adults, I can’t help wondering why she didn’t follow her heart, but rather chose to stay in a mundane and humdrum relationship.

  Although I haven’t seen the film, I know the part of Kincaid is played by Clint Eastwood, so it was his face that I pictured whilst reading! I will look out for this in the TV schedules as I’d like to see how the film and book compare.

  I’ve since discovered that the author wrote a sequel after being inundated with requests, but this type of book is not really ‘my thing’ so I don’t think I’ll be rushing out to buy it! (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Feb 15, 2009 at 04:15PM

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