I haven't seen the movie, but I'm curious about the novel. Has anyone read it? What can you tell me about the narrative, characters, themes etc? Who can you compare the author or his writing style to?
The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet
I read the book but didn't see the movie, so I was curious about
the film, they don't even have it at blockbuster though.
I really liked the book, got me to thinking about
life after death, I highly recommend it. :)
You should read "Case for a Creator", then "Faith", then "Christ" by Strobel. Then read "Resurrection" by Hanegraaff.
Can you fly this plane?
Surely you can't be serious.
I am serious, and don't call me Shirley
It's a good book. It's quite short - my copy was 115 pages. It begins by introducing the incident of the Peruvian bridge collapsing, killing five, and the resolution of a monk to study every detail of their lives to demonstrate that God had a specific reason to kill each. There are then three major narrative sections, covering the lives (and sometimes the lives of those close to) the three main victims and the children who were accompanying two of them. The story concludes by telling what happened to the monk. The author, Thornton Wilder, has a simple narrative voice but shows an elegant touch and keen human insight at times. The story frustrates some people because it does not produce a simple, neat, and tidy resolution and didactically spoon-feed it to the reader. However, it is like real life (only more dramatic) and an intelligent reader should have no trouble figuring out what Wilder was trying to say.
shareThanks for your replies.
My main concern is with the short length and the simple narrative. Kazuo Ishiguro did very well with The Remains of the Day and Graham Greene also did well with his novels, but even those were double the length of this one. Does it feel rushed? Are things well-discussed and given the attention they deserve, especially considering this is supposed to be a weighty novel?
The only second chance you get is to make the same mistake twice. - David Mamet
The Bridge of San Luis Rey is probobly my favorite book of all time. It is hard to describe Thorton Wilder's style...subtle and understated are the two adjectives that come to mind. Despite its length, I did not find the book rushed at all; in fact, I felt that by not spending too much time on a single point, Wilder allowes the reader to draw his/her own conclusions about the incident. Also, despite the somewhat depressing plot, I actually found the book puzzlingly hopeful.
I highly recommend reading the book. If you go into it with an open mind, I feel that no matter your interpretation, you will find it powerful and thought-provoking.
I read this book for a project in high school, I dont think I understood it all that well, I probably should go back and read it.
~Heather
"I hate fame. I've done everything I can to avoid it." -Johnny
That applies to me also - my high school reading being in 1970. Haven't looked at the book since but I remember being bored at the time. Probably caused by a combination of immaturity, laziness and ADD.
shareI have to agree with Donkey Hotay. Though it's not my favorite book of all time, it's very high on my list for all the reasons cited. This is definitely not a book (or movie) that serves you everything on a platter. You do need to bring a little thought to the party. My second reading of the book actually cleared up any remnants of fogginess that I was left with after the first reading. In any event, I also highly recommend reading the book.
shareIt's short, concentrated, poetic, ironic and very moving ...and not a page too short or long
But you ARE Blanche ... and I AM.