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The Bridges of Madison County

3.28 of 5 stars 3.28 · rating details · 34,137 ratings · 2,133 reviews

The legendary love story, the bestselling hardcover novel of all time, and the major motion picture starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. This is the story of Robert Kincaid, the photographer and free spirit searching for the covered bridges of Madison County, and Francesca Johnson, the farm wife waiting for fulfillment of a girlhood dream. It shows readers what it is...more

Hardcover, 171 pages

Published April 13th 1992 by Grand Central Publishing (first published 1992)

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Dec 29, 2007 S. added it Recommends it for: No one/ Would be Fiction writers

The Book, cough, cough: Called a novel, it's more a novella, barely over 170 pages--the better to save money on printing costs--set in large type on small pages. Set between a frame story (utterly forgettable) employed to give the reader a sense of being privy to a real event, voyeurism at it's best--one of my acquaintances actually tried to find the characters from the novel in the real world using the Internet, convinced Waller could never have made the story up. She was half right: Waller did...more The Book, cough, cough: Called a novel, it's more a novella, barely over 170 pages--the better to save money on printing costs--set in large type on small pages. Set between a frame story (utterly forgettable) employed to give the reader a sense of being privy to a real event, voyeurism at it's best--one of my acquaintances actually tried to find the characters from the novel in the real world using the Internet, convinced Waller could never have made the story up. She was half right: Waller didn't make up the story, he just changed the details in a story old as time (how old is time, anyway?), like changing the colors in a paint by number.

The Oh-So Complicated Plot: First, if you're going to read this book, don't. Second, if you aren't going to listen to me, skip this part and read on to find out more about why you shouldn't read this book. Francesca is a bored housewife married to Richard (forget him--Waller does) who has an affair with a new and exciting photographer (How do we know? He carries a Nikon and snaps pictures) called Robert Kincaid. Note: not Robert, but Robert Kincaid, like James, James Bond; for the slow reader, two names means he's different. The two adulterers fall in love. But then instead of going off with the exciting man, Frannie, as her unexciting husband calls her, decides to stay because of her "responsibilities." Later she regrets it and finds out Robert never loves again. Why? Because it's more romantic that the knight goes off and dies of unrequited love than settles down with the damsel and becomes the unexciting husband of everyday life.

Fiction Writing 101: I found this book good for only one thing: as an excellent primer for those who want to become writers themselves. Just look at these valuable lessons I learned.

1. Characterization-Uh, I got this character who I want to be different. Hmm, well I gave him two names and I made him a photographer (by making him carry a Nikon and snap some pictures). I guess I should describe him in some different way, too. What about calling him a "dead-end branch of evolution." Now, that's description. I'll just repeat that one phrase over and over and over. Wait maybe I'll throw in something really original like the "last cowboy." Oh man, that's hot stuff.

2. How to simplify a morally ambiguous issue: Excuse what your character does and have the other characters accept it; that way your reader doesn't have to do any thinking and doesn't get confused over how they should feel about the character. Francesca to her children on her affair: "If you love me, then you must love what I have done." Mom, I killed my brother but if you love me, then you must love what I have done. Waller told me so.

3. Theme-Make astonishing philosophical statements by asserting bland generalizations about the sexes: "In a way, women were asking for men to be poets and driving, passionate lovers at the same time. Women saw no contradiction in that. Men did." Now, that's brilliant, what in-depth analysis of the complex way women and men view each other.
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52 likes · like · see review

Feb 29, 2012 Ryan added it · review of another edition Recommends it for: those with head injuries

Shelves: completefuckingshit

This was a bestseller for 2 years when I first became a bookseller.

It is no coincidence that I started to hate most people with a deep and abiding passion around that time as well. Robert James Waller writes sex scenes that are so moronic you wonder if he's ever had it himself.

Bottom Line: I've read more romantic things on Craigslist.

29 likes · like · see review

Nov 24, 2007 Kate rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fireplace owners

Shelves: horrid

Recipe for Bridges of Madison County Firestarters

1. melt 20 oz. parafin in 4 1/2 quart slow cooker set on low--should take about 20 minutes.
2. set several sheets of newspaper on kitchen floor next to slow cooker.
3. Tear pages out of binding--I find about seven at a time works best. Discard binding.
4. Crumple each page individually--you can do it two or three at a time, but recipe will go farther if you take the time to crumple each page individually.
5. With tongs, dip each crumpled page into the...more

57 likes · like · see review

Oct 15, 2010 K.D. Oliveros rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to K.D. by: Joyzi & Jzhun

Shelves: love-story

In 1993, this novel topped the Bestselling Novels List in the US. Why? Check the others in the lists around that time. They were novels by Stephen King, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Daniel Steele and Robert Ludlum. It reminded me when in 2001, the soulful operatic voice of John Groban made his first waves in the music industry. The market was then dominated by the likes of Limkin Park, Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Nelly and Shakira. On that same year the simple, acoustic yet heartfelt song Pagdating ng P...more In 1993, this novel topped the Bestselling Novels List in the US. Why? Check the others in the lists around that time. They were novels by Stephen King, John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Daniel Steele and Robert Ludlum. It reminded me when in 2001, the soulful operatic voice of John Groban made his first waves in the music industry. The market was then dominated by the likes of Limkin Park, Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Nelly and Shakira. On that same year the simple, acoustic yet heartfelt song Pagdating ng Panahon by Aiza Seguerra topped the Best-Selling Albums list in the local music industry leaving by miles the likes of belter Regine Velasquez and the local bands Parokya ni Edgar and Eraserheads.

The Bridges of Madison County is a sensitive simple tragic love story. Yet it is not overbearing, cheesy nor mushy. It is a story of Francesca/Frannie, a lonely (but not sex-starved) housewife who did not think that at the age of 45, in just 4 short days, she would find her one true love. The man, Robert Kinkaid, a 52-y/o divorced travelling photographer also felt the same for her. What happened on those 4 days: each moment, each sight, each word, each action, each kiss, each time their bodies touched... they carried with them as treasured secret memories for 22 years living their own separate lives

The narration is simple, poetic yet effective and incandescent. Each sentence is carefully worded and you cannot help notice some symbolisms. By design, Waller knew what he wanted: a simple yet heartfelt love story maybe to differentiate his work from the horrors of Stephen King, courtroom dramas of John Grisham or the espionage adventures of Robert Ludlum. One can likened The Bridges of Madison County to the description of the tune Robert's friend composed for him after Robert told him Francesca's story: I wanted to keep it simple, elegant. Complex things are easy to do. Simplicity's the real challenge.

Like my favorite novel at all times, Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Sometimes, we don't need a complicated story to be happy with what we read. Sometimes, a simple yet sensible heartwarming story is what we need to cuddle ourselves in bed on a cold October night.(less)

18 likes · like · see review

Jun 01, 2007 Gus rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Some may look askance at my 5-star rating. Behold, from the chapter "The Highway and the Peregrine":

"Robert, when we were making love last night, you said something that I still remember. I kept whispering to you about your power -- and, my God, you have that. You said, 'I am the highway and a peregrine and all the sails that ever went to sea.' You were right. That's what you feel, you feel the road inside of you. No, more than that, in a way that I'm not certain I can explain, you are the road....more

32 likes · like · see review

Aug 17, 2007 Belinda rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: People who read "People" magazine religiously?

Shelves: contempopop, marshmallowfluff, stinkers

A friend sent me a copy a kajillion years ago, so I dutifully read it. I still adore the friend, and have liked plenty of other books she recommended, but I was actually ANGRY with her for WEEKS for causing me to have read this book. This was my all-time "worst book I ever read (to the end)" until I read "The Devil Wears Prada."

I wouldn't disparage anyone who DOES like this book, obviously, but to say it wasn't my cup of tea would be...WILDLY kind. How to describe the experience? Let's see. It's...more

18 likes · like · see review

May 16, 2007 David rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Tony Snow

If I were a bridge, I would gather up an army of bridges from around the globe and arm them with all of the of R. J. Waller remainders we could find. I would then hook up with a willing metalsmith who would fashion sharp corners for every one of these books. No one deserves a Slow Waltz on Cedar Bend between the eyes more than Mr. Waller. Although if my bridge army can't locate him, Ann Coulter will do.

11 likes · like · see review

Feb 08, 2008 Molly rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: absolutely no one

Recommended to Molly by: everyone including their aunt Sally

Sometimes I wish that negative stars were allowed...this book deserves the Anti-Star. I wanted to read this book because everyone I knew had read it and love it and wept over it. "The greatest love story of all time." blah blah blah.

~~Spoiler Alert~~

I have a serious pet peeve. A love story does NOT involve adultery. (Period!with a capital P) I have also started to question anyone who thinks that a "great" love story can only happen if you cheat on your spouse, or steal another persons spouse or...more

25 likes · like · see review

Jul 07, 2008 Debbie Petersen rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: NO ONE

Shelves: absolute-drek

If it were possible to rate a book in the negatives, this one would earn a negative 10. Truly one of the most terrible books ever. Maudlin, whiny and ridiculous. A woman whose husband and children are away has a brief affair with a photographer just passing through. Of course, the few days spent with this complete stranger prove that her marriage is a sham and the photographer is her true love...but wifey sacrifices herself in martyrlike fashion and suffers to allow her substandard husband to co...more

20 likes · like · see review

Dec 10, 2007 Dolly rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: older folks who don't read much

Shelves: thought-provoking, romances

In the introduction, the author spends a few paragraphs trying to suss out the difference between passionate and maudlin. Too bad he didn't come to a conclusion there.

The story is simple: disaffected woman who already thinks her husband is a bore (which begs one to wonder why the hell she married him in the first place) meets up with a hip artiste photographer whilst her husband and children are away and proceeds to boink said artiste on the family kitchen table (and other places). He goes away...more In the introduction, the author spends a few paragraphs trying to suss out the difference between passionate and maudlin. Too bad he didn't come to a conclusion there.

The story is simple: disaffected woman who already thinks her husband is a bore (which begs one to wonder why the hell she married him in the first place) meets up with a hip artiste photographer whilst her husband and children are away and proceeds to boink said artiste on the family kitchen table (and other places). He goes away. She stays with her family and lies to them for twenty-odd years. The end.

I think the author was trying to make these two, the unfaithful wife and the roving photographer, into heroes. Well, he failed as far as I am concerned. Yes, Francesca's life seems a little boring. Fine. She could have changed that without resorting to an affair. And Robert could have exerted a shred of control and not fucked the farmer's wife the second day he knew her. But neither of these characters was interested in doing the right thing. They were both interested in doing the high-passion poetic thing. And then at the end, Francesca tells her children what she did. Gah. She even defends her raunchy behavior and tells them, "If you love me you must love what I have done." Great job, lady; I'm sure that would make real adult children respect their parents all the more.

I think the thing about this book that most disappointed me was the fanfare that accompanied it. It came out when I was working in a book store many years ago, and I can't tell you how many copies of this thing I sold, mostly to middle-aged women (and men!) with dewy romantic stars in their eyes. I heard people say how moving and eternal this story was, now noble the characters were for not abandoning Francesca's family. So after all these years of hearing the book (and later the movie, which I haven't seen) talked up, I bought it and read it. Now I wish I could have those three hours back to invest in a real romance with real compelling characters.

Pros: It's short. It's simple. It doesn't use too many big words.(less)

7 likes · like · see review

Jan 01, 2008 Sandy Brown added it · review of another edition Recommends it for: no one

This is easily the worst book ever written, but that's exactly why I love it. It's so appallingly, endearingly awful that the florid sappy phrases never fail to make me laugh until I cry. 'I am the highway and a peregrine and all the sails that ever went to sea.' You were right. That's what you feel, you feel the road inside of you. No, more than that, in a way that I'm not certain I can explain, you are the road. In the crack where illusion meets reality, that's where you are, out there on the ...more

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 08, 2008 Kayefex rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

12 likes · like · see review

Jul 23, 2007 David rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: embarrassed-to-own, utter-dreck

The literary version of Thomas Kinkade.

16 likes · like · see review

Mar 01, 2008 *rob* rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

this book was dreadful. a saccharined promotion of the fairy-tale love myth, the cinderella complex. yep, true love exists and it is great, but your life is far from empty without it. the character's life, her real day-to-day existence and participation in this world, halts with the removal of that love and she condemns herself to live in the past. she is all but physically dead.

this is the only book that, upon finishing, i felt totally free to get rid of. not a single part of me ever thought i...more

4 likes · like · see review

Mar 18, 2007 Caleb Liu rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It was phenomenally popular which pricked my interest. Many people have described Waller's prose as poetic - I found it rather repetetive and wooden. An attempt at the sparseness of Hemingway gone rather wrong. As for the story, the appeal probably lies in all the idea of middle aged passion, love conquering all, including apparently any immorality and guilt in what amounts to infidelity. Not that I am squeamish or moralistic - just that it amuses me somewhat to find this book so wildly popular...more

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 02, 2008 Deborah Edwards rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: garbage

What I learned from this book is that no matter how hard you throw a paperback, it will rarely dent the wall. Which is a good thing, because I threw this one more than once, as I was stubbornly determined to finish it despite my hatred of its flowery overblown writing, its misplaced glorification of the story, and its ridiculous pacing. That said, it somehow became a remarkably good film. I guess it's all a matter of giving the material to a decent screenwriter and some fabulous actors. The auth...more

8 likes · like · see review

Jul 01, 2008 Keith rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The best line I ever saw concerning this book is from a reviewer of the Clint Eastwood movie of it, something about how amazing it was that Eastwood could made a silk purse out of such a sow's ear of a book. I thought that pretty much summed it up. The only thing I learned from this book is that there are covered bridges in Madison County, Iowa. I think I could have survived without that knowledge.

7 likes · like · see review

Jul 24, 2008 Karen Rowland rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was one of the worst books I've ever read. I saw the movie and thought it was pretty good and figured that the book would be better (because it almost always is!) I was sadly mistaken. I wasn't sure if I was reading an entry in a bad Hemingway imitator's contest...blah. What I learned from this book is...if it's still bad by the time you get to the middle of the book, stop reading.

4 likes · like · see review

Jul 31, 2007 Jan rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: triedbutfailed, rubbish

Some dialogue from this mushy crap bookclub hit:

"his eyes looked directly at her, and she felt something jump inside."
or...
He (male lead character) reminds her (female lead character) of a "gazelle," or, better yet, "some star creature who had drafted in on the tail of a comet."

Urg...I think I'm gonna puke...stand back you star creatures!

6 likes · like · see review

Feb 06, 2012 Judy rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, now-come-on

This book was laughable. Francesca is a housewife living in Iowa where no one--not her children, her husband or her neighbors--see her for the beautiful, fascinating worldly woman she is. Until that fateful day when Robert Kinkaid, a handsome, fascinating worldly man shows up on her doorstep asking for directions. And talk about great timing! Her husband and teen-aged children just happen to be out of town for the next four days. How convenient.

Francesca and Robert have four crazy, wonderful day...more

7 likes · like · see review

Jan 27, 2009 Jennifer rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: People who make furniture out of books.

Shelves: bad-bad-bad, fiction

I always felt that this was one of those books written for women who are menapausal and in a marriage that dried up and need to hold on to a fantasy that they don't need to actually do anything in order to make their life better - it will just happen. It will just drive up to their house and hump them and it will be ok because their marriage sucks and they decide to stay in said crap marriage rather than run off - because running off would be cliche. Happiness is cliche and should be shunned.

AR...more

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Apr 23, 2008 Erinoc rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: people who don't mind some romance with guts and smarts

I did not expect to like this book. I didn't want to like this book. I haven't seen the movie and I don't think I every will. It looks painful.

I've never expected so little from a book and got so much. A friend encouraged me to read it and I guess the introduction kind of sparked my interest. I wanted to know why this brother and sister were so motivated and emotional about getting this story told.

I found some of the descriptions of love a little cringe worthy - but that is the type of reader I...more

7 likes · like · see review

Oct 30, 2007 Megan Huff rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was absolutely beautiful.

I read it over the summer because I had just taken a photography class and I was interested in a lot of related stuff. I found the book on my mom's bookshelf and picked it up mainly because of the fact that the man is a photographer.

I read that book in a day, I couldn't put it down. It was probably one of the greatest works I have ever read and possibly will ever read.

I would recommend The Bridges of Madison County to anybody who wanted to read a good literatu...more

15 likes · like · see review

Apr 29, 2007 daniella rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: the Harlequin romance crowd looking for a little better writing

Shelves: wouldneverrecommend

I was too young to know this book when it was a huge to-do in the middle-class white "feminine mystique" set, but I just don't see it now. It was prettily written, maybe even the characters were pleasant, but I expected a little more to the whole romance. Four days' lust enough to subsist on for the rest of a life? Call me jaded, but the trite, therapeutic talk-show dialogue paired with an out-and-out plea for 'willing suspension of disbelief'? No, no, no, I prefer my love affairs well-seasoned.

2 likes · like · see review

May 14, 2012 Dessy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english, ebook, read-in-2012

selesai membaca buku ini saya mengintip beberapa review tentang buku ini di Goodreads. banyak yang mencela dan hanya memberi satu bintang. setelah saya baca beberapa diantaranya, kebanyakan karena affair yang dilakukan oleh kedua tokoh utamanya: Francesca seorang ibu rumah tangga dan seorang photografer bernama Robert.

dalam hidup ini ada beberapa hal yang hanya memiliki 2 option: hitam atau putih dan benar atau salah. yep, that's it!! tidak ada area abu-abu. dan itu sudah hukum alam, norma dan t...more

3 likes · like · see review

Feb 24, 2009 Nikki rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'm embarrassed to have read this maudlin piece of shit.

11 likes · like · see review

Apr 11, 2008 Tanya rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really hated this book. The idea behind this book, is that if your husband is a jerk it is okay to cheat on him. And maybe if your lucky, the person that you cheat with may become the love of your life. Please!! What happened to the sanctity of marriage

6 likes · like · see review

Kristen AMEN to that!!! Thanks for your comment, Tanya!
Apr 11, 2008 08:01pm

Kristin Hanes I actually didn't think the book showed it was "okay" to cheat on someone. The fact that she stayed married to her husband and didn't run off with the...more
Sep 26, 2010 10:19am

Tanya Put yourself in the husband's place, and see if you still agree with what you said. Would it be okay with you if your husband had an affair? Would you...more
updated Sep 26, 2010 12:09pm

Nov 23, 2008 Alisa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Robert James Waller is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. I love the America that he depicts, the dusty trails and weather-worn characters that can be found off the beaten path. This particular story makes for an interesting discussion, debating the morality of Francesca's decision. I understand why she chose to stay, out of a sense of duty and loyalty to her family. At the same time I wanted to scream at her "How could you let Robert get away?! Life is too short to live without passio...more

6 likes · like · see review

Jul 28, 2007 Lucy J Jeynes rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: never-again

I read this on a plane so luckily I had an endless supply of sick bags handy. Truly one of the worst books I have ever read. Partly because it masquerades as a "proper novel". Bleargh. Retch.

9 likes · like · see review

May 26, 2012 Katie Herring rated it 5 of 5 stars

Holy shit I think this is my new favorite book. It was absolutely wonderful. I started it like an hour ago, and I already savored its 170 pages. Crying, the last fifty or so. Its similar to Night of Rodanthe, but its better, sweeter, shorter and sadder.

I want a love like this, but one that can happen. Not one tainted with already present responsibilities.

It ended as happily as a novel like this could.

Its also made me mildly interested in photography. Funny how that works.

AFTERTHOUGHTS:

I just r...more

12 likes · like · see review

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I started liking it better once I stopped seeing it as a love story.	10	64	Apr 30, 2012 10:36am

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About Robert James Waller

Robert James Waller is an American author also known for his work as a photographer and musician. 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.

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