The Bridges of Madison County

Summary (from the publisher): 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 to love and be loved so intensely that life is never the same again

Review: I finally read The Bridges of Madison County so I can join the legions who were obsessed with it back in the 90s. Frankly I didn't really see what all the fuss was about. It's alright but nothing to write home about.  This is called a novel but it's really more novella length so it was a quick read.

The Bridges of Madison County is about photographer Robert Kincaid, who has a four day love affair with farm wife Francesca Johnson. Apparently the two lovers feel that they have always been destined to meet, but tragically, four days is all they ever have together because Francesca does not want to ruin her family's life by leaving or Robert's free spirit ways by burdening him down.

Overall I found the tone of this novel a bit melodramatic and sappy. Robert seemed so egotistical to me. Not only does he claim that he's the last of a dying breed but he says random things like "I am a highway and a peregrine and all the sails that ever went to sea" while making love. That's a bit creepy and pretentious, ladies. Plus if they had really wanted to be together, Francesca could have worked harder to track him down after the death of her husband. But, wait, that would have ruined the melodrama and we can't have that.

I don't mean to be too terribly harsh. This did feature some decent writing and I did like the idea of two individuals who recognize their counterpart in another and commit to loving one another for the rest of their lives, even if those lives must be spent apart. Also, I liked that Robert worked for National Geographic and found his photography and style an interesting character trait. I guess I just don't get why this became such an obsession.

Stars: 3