The Bridges of Madison County

Rating:
Summary: Too much exageration from both sides.
Review: I read this book before all the hoopla began. It was recommended as a good book and a quick read. I found it to be just that. I, however, liked the book more than my friend did since I am a true sap. The point is, yes it was a very good book. But only for those who can lose themselves completely to a character. I also feel it is necessary to point out that any time a book becomes a movie and there are TOP actors performing. The media frenzy has more to do with paying required salaries than with actual quality of the story. Everyone out there who was so bitingly disappointed needs to realize it is necessary to take "the promotional hype" with a grain of salt. That's all it ever is in the end.

Rating:
Summary: Is this for real?
Review: I am so glad to read that there are others who truly hated this book. I like so many others read the book to see what all the hoopla was about.Four days and a lifetime of love ...Gag me...It just goes to show that our society wants everything quick and easy and that working for something no longer matters...Quick frienships..quick loves..I by no means am a writer but I am sure I have more interesting and believable stories in my own life...

Rating:
Summary: A very sad statement on hearts and minds
Review: I am completely saddened by this book for two reasons: 1) by its content and 2) by its popularity. As far as the content is concerned, the love story was almost plausible. Anyone would over romanticize the most meagre encounter if it frees them from a horrible existence. However, the entire encounter was so incredibly trite and the language so absolutely painful I wanted to quit at every page. I didn't quit because so many 'respected' friends had recommended it. Their input is now taken with a grain of salt. The part that depresses me the most is the popularity of this book. I can only shake my head and feel very sorry for the people who think this was the best love story they have ever read. I can only imagin that these peoople feel this way because they identify with the sorry, trapped existence of Francesca. By remaining in her circumstances and lying every day of her life to her family, Francesca gives the reader an excuse not to take charge of their lives and to remain powerless and blame it on others. "My husband will be ruined, I can't leave the kids etc." Unfortunately, Waller has captured the weakest of humans to deliver as model of behavior. I'm insulted by this behavior. This woman didn't do her family any favors. She gave them a gift they didn't need - deceit. I wouldn't be so disgusted if she had simply fallen in love, decided to stay with her family and put the encounter behind her knowing she was stronger because she made the decision that was right for her. No, she continued to build barriers into her life and nurture the deceit over the years and we're supposed to think this is beautiful? I think I'm going to be sick.

Rating:
Summary: I never knew it could be this bad....
Review: I don't believe in reviewing books which I haven't read. Even if it is SO bad I feel myself apologizing to my eyes for even looking at the words I STILL have to finish it--if only to be able to say, "yes, I read it. I hated it. Here's why..." And this book, for the past two years, has remained the book which I have read and regretted reading the most. I almost WISHED I had stopped at page one. My only consolation remains the fact that I didn't buy the book, only borrowed it from a friend (who lent it to me with these words: "you'll never believe this was published!"). And disbelieving I am. The characters are two-dimensional (and that may be giving them a dimension or two more than they deserve) and the style reminds me of another book I read once: Dick and Jane and their adventures with Spot. But I still forged ahead. After all, I hated Orwell's Animal Farm until the last page, and now it is one of my favorite books. "Perhaps," I thought naively, "this will be a similar case." Wrong-o. The fact that she left all of this adulterous crap to her daughter only left me feeling depressed! I'm not married, but I hope that if I ever do I can remember the words that got me there....something, something, honor, cherish, til death do us part...sound familiar? But instead she just thought that a letter and some fond memories would make it all better, that she would be redeemed and that the "love" that she shared, if ever briefly, would be enough to vindicate her. Sorry, can't agree with you there Mr. R.J. Waller. She's a slut. The book is trash and if it wasn't for Oprah you would almost certainly be eating out of a garbage can right now and trying to sell horoscopes to a bad suburban newspaper. Ladies and gentlemen, Romance is officially dead, and this book is pimping the corpse.

Rating:
Summary: Oh come on! It wasn't *that* bad!
Review: I thought Waller did a pretty good job of conveying the dilemma faced by Francesca and I particularly liked the conclusion (she didn't leap out of her husband's car into the truck while it was stopped, thereby giving it a little more credibility than a Harlequin romance). I've walked my mile in Francesca's shoes, so I'm sure that makes me a little more tolerant--and I'd still love to see this theme treated to a less maudlin interpretation. I thought, though, that the real love story was between Francesca and her husband, and that it deserved more exploration.

Rating:
Summary: I didn't want the story to end.
Review: When I finished reading The Bridges of Madison County, my heart just stopped because I didn't want it to end. Through the authors words, I felt like I was there seeing the story being acted out before my eyes. For those who thought that this book was stupid, you should read it again. The story is one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read not like the usual romance stories that are around these days. It tells of the story of 'real' love and life as it happens. I'm sure that there are thousands of people out there in the world, whose love story follows much of what Robert James Waller has written. My own parents love story is much like this. They had to sacrifice so much and yet they loved each other until the very end. To those again who hated the book, you haven't learnt the meaning of what a pure and lasting love is all about.

Rating:
Summary: Unreadable
Review: As in, I could not read this book. I got through the first chapter and had to stop. It wasn't just bad - it actually HURT me - almost physically, certainly mentally. I think that Amazon.com, as a philanthropic enterprise, should send every customer who rated this novel a 10 one good book. Not a great one - these people are not ready for, say, Anna Karenina - just a good one, with at least one of the following virtues "Bridges" conspicuously lacks: 1) Sentences. 2) Human speech. 3) A moral center or, lacking those, 4) Pictures

Rating:
Summary: A fact that escapes many of you...
Review: ...is that Waller's day job is a professor of marketing. Doesn't that just say it all? Upon finishing this book, I thought, "Who wrote this? A committee in conjunction with a focus group?" Then I read Waller's bio on the back cover. Yup, I was right. This book is nothing but a horny professor's wet dream. I mean, come on, what's with the line about being a peregrine? If some guy showed up in my front yard and said that, I'd direct him to the local police department. If you want romance, try marrying someone you REALLY love. Passion and tenderness do exist within legitimate relationships. Now THAT'S a storyline!

Rating:
Summary: Bitter sweet love
Review: I'm a romantic at heart and this book makes me weep. It is just so heartwrenching when two people love each other the way they do and can't be together. Francisca will forever be haunted by her guilt if she leaves her children and husband. She did the right thing, but it was so painful to see her choose between the man she loves and her duty as a wife and mother.I just wish they can be together. What is even more sad is, they never met again. Yet that love remains. On the other hand, upon reflection, would that love still remain if she did choose to be with her lover ? The answer to that we will never know.

Rating:
Summary: Haunting
Review: The best love story I have ever read. Anyone who would reject this one, has clearly never been there. One must be able to access the place within themselves to go there to be there. This is one that will forever haunt me. I have lived it.