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The Bridge Club

Patricia Sands

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Oct 16, 2010 C. rated it really liked it

Shelves: canadian-fiction, first-novel, own

The Bridge Club
by Patricia Sands

Patricia Sands is a Canadian writer residing in Toronto and The Bridge Club is her first book.
The novel is about a group of eight women that maintained a very close circle, united at first by their love to play bridge and who later developed such an intimate knowledge of each other, so much love that went beyond emotional support; that, when necessary, they shared practical life duties and responsibilities to sustain each other during times of need or distress. I The Bridge Club
by Patricia Sands

Patricia Sands is a Canadian writer residing in Toronto and The Bridge Club is her first book.
The novel is about a group of eight women that maintained a very close circle, united at first by their love to play bridge and who later developed such an intimate knowledge of each other, so much love that went beyond emotional support; that, when necessary, they shared practical life duties and responsibilities to sustain each other during times of need or distress. It starts in the 60's while they are hippies in college, approaching their twenties and extends into the two thousands, when they are more mature as they get close to their sixties. The characters are eight women, but there is also a subtle group "personality" that behaves like a quasi own-entity. Canadian traditions and family lifestyle; sometimes in the city of Toronto, some other times around more rural surroundings, are described in detail as a background to the story. The dialogue is amazingly youngish, entertaining, vivid, real and abundant (these women in particular are really good communicators). There is a chapter for each one of the group, focused on their particular SOS through the over-four-decades of their relationship. As their meetings happen, with a cup of wine in hand, good food on the table, followed by a bridge game, the conversations begin. They are uplifting, full of witty commentary, hilarious, intelligent and sometimes emotional; as each one of them, according to their personalities, express their points of view. The themes range from love, medical, ethical, travel, trivial, music, to the seriousness and sorrow of death; but all equally beautifully expressed. The final chapter reveals unequivocally the most challenging times for the group and will put their friendship and beliefs to the test and will have reader the questioning their own ethical choices.
Definitely a book to read by women and men and as the author says, "It was never about the cards" It will entertain you, inspire and motivate you to live and appreciate life! ...more

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