Rating: 
Summary: Heartfelt
Review: I finished reading this book about twenty minutes ago and started writing this while the book was still fresh in my mind, in my soul. I?m not going to get into what the book is about because I think most everyone already knows that, so I?ll disband with the redundancies. I?ve been hearing about The Bridges of Madison County for several years now, first heard about it when I was at a seminar at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. Finally, I read Stephen King?s book about writing and King stated that this book was a terrible book. So, out of curiosity, I decided to finally give Bridges a read. Though I?ve always liked King?s work and admired the man for what he?s done, I think he better read this book again. My favorite mainstream writer has always been Ernest Hemmingway. In this text, I enjoyed the simplicity of a heartfelt story told, the same as Hemmingway always affected me. If you like to read something that will grab you in the heart, read The Bridges of Madison County. I thought this was a very good novel.
Rating:
Summary: An incredible love story
Review: I know that this story is too romantic and unrealistic for some people. However,I still think many people ever have experienced it.
In sum, everyone want to know what is "real love" should read it, and this book will help you to think it over.
Rating:
Summary: Bridges of Madison County
Review: I loved this book - the romance, sadness, tragedy, Iowa - everything. Yes, it deals with adultery - not the best thing in the world, but your heart just breaks for the lovers. Or at least mine did. And I saw some of the bridges, the countryside and even the house where the movie was made. I could just FEEL the story. And okay, I admit it, I asked where Francesca was buried. Guess the story had me so completely believing that it was real life - but it felt like it was real life! You just want so badly for them to have been together - and happy.
Rating: 
Summary: Beautifully evocative and romantic -- AN ACCURATE REVIEW
Review: I picked this book up searching for inspiration to help me with writing my romantic fiction. I was very pleased with it.The Bridges of Madison County tells the story of Francesca Johnson, an Italian World War II wife of an Iowa farmer, and Robert Kincaid, a nomadic photographer traveling through town on an assignment for National Geographic. Their chance meeting ignites a romantic four-day affair that stays with them for the rest of their lives. This isn't a suspenseful novel; the plot is given away immediately in the book. It's a study of beauty, of wondering, of questioning why some things happen the way they do. Robert James Waller tells the story slowly, and few could do better. Rather than dragging out each action and frustrating the reader, Waller savors each moment, allowing the reader to bask in the beauty of this romance. Something unique that Waller does is tell the story as if it had been told to him by Francesca's children, and he includes an "author's note" and an "interview" with a jazz musician. He does it very well; in fact, I thought that they were real! The characters are so well constructed. The reader sympathizes with both Robert and Francesca, in spite of her commiting adultery, Francesca's two children, and even Francesca's absent husband as well. I highly recommend this book. In addition to being beautiful (there's that word again!) and a unique story, it's a quick read to boot (192 pages). This would be an excellent selection for a book group. Read this book, and you'll be swept up in a fleeting yet beautiful affair that was strong enough to last a lifetime.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully evocative and romantic -- AN ACCURATE REVIEW
Review: I picked this book up searching for inspiration to help me with writing my romantic fiction. I was very pleased with it. The Bridges of Madison County tells the story of Francesca Johnson, an Italian World War II wife of an Iowa farmer, and Robert Kincaid, a nomadic photographer traveling through town on an assignment for National Geographic. Their chance meeting ignites a romantic four-day affair that stays with them for the rest of their lives. This isn't a suspenseful novel; the plot is given away immediately in the book. It's a study of beauty, of wondering, of questioning why some things happen the way they do. Robert James Waller tells the story slowly, and few could do better. Rather than dragging out each action and frustrating the reader, Waller savors each moment, allowing the reader to bask in the beauty of this romance. Something unique that Waller does is tell the story as if it had been told to him by Francesca's children, and he includes an "author's note" and an "interview" with a jazz musician. He does it very well; in fact, I thought that they were real! The characters are so well constructed. The reader sympathizes with both Robert and Francesca, in spite of her commiting adultery, Francesca's two children, and even Francesca's absent husband as well. I highly recommend this book. In addition to being beautiful (there's that word again!) and a unique story, it's a quick read to boot (192 pages). This would be an excellent selection for a book group. Read this book, and you'll be swept up in a fleeting yet beautiful affair that was strong enough to last a lifetime.
Rating:
Summary: Bridges of Madison County
Review: I stayed with this sappy book.... but it really was a loser. The family book discussion lasted only about 20 minutes.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, I admit it....
Review: I stayed with this sappy book.... but it really was a loser. The family book discussion lasted only about 20 minutes.
Rating:
Summary: If you've ever really been in love you'll "GET" this book
Review: If you're a miserable cynic, you'll hate it. I am not a fiction reader. I am purely a lover of non-fiction. But a friend pleaded with me to read this book. When I finally broke down and picked up the book, I could not put it down. I finished it in about 5 hours.
People can say whatever they want about it being contrived romance, but this book puts you inside of what it feels like to be in a very intense romance that some (real) people really experience. I've been there, I know the anguish and intensity of the love this book describes. There really are people who love, speak and act this way.
People who don't get this book are bitter and angry that they can not concieve of such intense loving and living. If you love to love, and love an incredible quick read, this book is for you.
I wept for a good half hour when I finished this book despite myself. Enjoy!
-- A non-fiction loving, non-sap from New Jersey
Rating:
Summary: one of the best books of all time!
Review: nice book.took me back to the 20's but i dont think it really needs a sequel,robert should have left it that way,makes it look more original,one or two guesses are good isnt it?
nice book,easy to read,nice setting and quite emotional
Rating: 
Summary: Trudging Through Madison County
Review: Pretentiously noble and way hot hero-dude (delectable and irresistible-to-all-womankind, but unattainable by any but that *One * Special * Woman*), this sensitive and complex, but well-endowed male-of-the-species is the implausible alter-ego of the guy who wrote this book. The wholesome, but always ready and eagerly willing heroine in a plain cotton dress, overcome by life in the sticks, is the author's moist fantasy of love amongst the water-weeds. Add to that, lame dialogue, fluffy plotline, and sex all over the place, stir well, and Ta-Da! Best Seller! I waded through bridge-sweepings all the way to the trite ending, just to humor a (now less than close) friend, who just can't BELIEVE that I was not (breathless italics implied, and little pink hearts with curlicues around them, too) Enraptured by the (lame excuse for a) "hero". PA-LEEEEZE! Get a grip people!
Plot summary for the Noble Reader (Yes! I'm giving away The End!):
Mr. I-am-just-toooo-wonderful-aren't-I, a photographer for National Geographic (hot stuff, ladies), comes to town and sweeps Miss Trapped-on-a-small-farm-immigrant-with-a-cute-accent (poor thing) off her dainty size 9's. Fortunately, the Peon Husband and Grubby Kids are conveniently away on a trip! Hooray for the guy with a good line and hot camera! The blessed couple marrily flit around Madison County, indulging in silly dialogue, and Urgent Sex!, while He takes Marvelous and Moving Pictures of Her, as well as the unusual covered brides (the story device that brought Mr. Self-Impressed to town). These pictures which will be a big hit (the bridge pictures, not the chick shots--he keeps those for himself, alone) when published, and make him famous all because he has been "elevated" by Her. They play around with the idea of running away together, she to be his muse on his visionary travels. But their happy voyage of discovery will, of course, end in (you guessed it) TRAGEDY!!! After much gnashing-of-teeth, she accepts her self-imposed role of proper wife, to remain wholesome (if somewhat used), and stay with Mr. Ignorant-peasant-farmer-who-is-stupidly-unappreciative-of-her and his kids so THEY will be HAPPY. And, after the glorious farewell sex scene, Mr. Woody must be ohhhhh, sooooo noble and accept (cry me a river) her decision. But you know that (brave marching music) he will live the rest of his joyless life, dutifully, in acute sorrow, without any more gratuitous sex mind you, and maintain her memory... ALWAYS!!! Oh, and she will, too, for him. He packs up his professional photographer gear, climbs into his reliable old truck, and goes. Then the family returns home and Life, Oh Bitter Life goes on. And then time passes... and she receives The Package!!! HE has (you guessed it) died and left her HIS (photographic) EQUIPMENT. Oh joy! What a Guy! And the message that he had a selfless life without joy... . Eventually she dies and the kids realize what a sacrifice she made, having to lead a selfless life without joy... . Tears of appreciation for good old Mom! They scatter her ashes on the water that flows beneath one of her memorable Bridges of Madison County. The End. Finally, and not a moment too soon.
Don't waste your time and money! Normally, I would not recommended a movie made from a book, over the original book, but I suggest in this singular case, that you cheat--skip the book and watch the movie, instead. Mr. Eastwood's movie has better dialogue, takes less time, and you can be amused by Ms. Streep's faux Italian accent.
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