Rating: 
Summary: For fans of the first
Review: It has been a long time since we've heard these all-too familiar names: Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid. A decade ago, it was impossible to enter a movie theatre or abookstore without being bombarded with images of the world's all-time bestselling hardcover novel: The Bridges of Madison County. Now, we hear those names again...A Thousand Country Roads is aptly described on the book jacket as an epilogue to Bridges. It is exactly that. This new book shows us some of the inbetween spaces in the lives of Robert and Francesca. A Thousand Country Roads aims to answer some questions about what happened to the two lovers after their affair at Roseman Bridge. What it does, and does well, is give us more insight into how the events in Bridges affected both Francesca and Robert and how they deal with it. Interestingly, for both people, a nostalgic journey is in the works. Adding some excellent new characters and a few very clever twists, Robert Waller has recreated a lot of the magic of Bridges in this new tale. Readers who loved Bridges will anxiously follow the paths of Robert and Francesca as they explore what happened over those stolen four days, and examine what their lives have become Because of its nature though (it is an epilogue), it is certainly not going to be enjoyed by anyone who hasn't already read Bridges of Maisdon County. The magic of Bridges is sustained in A Thousand Country Roads, and, a decade later, Robert Waller is back on the map. An execllent way to complete the picture for anyone who read and loved The Bridges of Madison County.
Rating: 
Summary: A disastrous epilogue to an excellent story
Review: It would have been much better if this book had never been written. The story in this volume takes place in the time period after the wandering photographer (Robert Kincaid) left Madison County, Iowa, following his short love affair with the conventional wife of an Iowa farmer (Francesca Johnson), until his death. Actually there is not much discussion about Francesca; rather the story is focused on Robert's new discovery of his forgotten son produced from a one-night sexual encounter with a free-spirited girl in Northern California when Robert was much younger. This epilogue dilutes the beautiful love story between Robert and Francesca described in The Bridges of Madison County, which I have always defended against pretentious friends who regarded it as a trashy romance novel. It appears to me that Robert James Waller was forced to write this terrible "A Thousand Country Roads" for some reason which I don't understand.
Rating:
Summary: A disastrous epilogue to an excellent story
Review: It would have been much better if this book had never been written. The story in this volume takes place in the time period
after the wandering photographer (Robert Kincaid) left Madison County, Iowa, following his short love affair with the
conventional wife of an Iowa farmer (Francesca Johnson), until his death. Actually there is not much discussion about
Francesca; rather the story is focused on Robert's new discovery of his forgotten son produced from a one-night sexual
encounter with a free-spirited girl in Northern California when Robert was much younger. This epilogue dilutes the beautiful
love story between Robert and Francesca described in The Bridges of Madison County, which I have always defended against
pretentious friends who regarded it as a trashy romance novel. It appears to me that Robert James Waller was forced to write
this terrible "A Thousand Country Roads" for some reason which I don't understand.
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT but what would you expect from Waller??
Review: I actually liked this book quite a bit. Now I will say, when I read Bridges I was so overcome with emotion, it also was an easy read, but it really struck a chord (I find this true with my friends also) I was thrilled to see the second book, and it has also hit paperback (a nice, inexpensive option) for you tote with you. I loved that the book stayed true to the characters, just kind of taking you inside their lives and minds and souls a little bit more. Kincaid, such a loner and wandereer... but a nice twist is thrown in to this book ( I am not giving it away) that helps you realize his tender side.... Francesca, always the loyal submissive housewife (except for her time with Robert) shows us how these memories both sustained and haunted her after her goodbye to Robert. It's an interesting peak into their lives after the fact. You know from reading the first book, that these two do not ever come in contact again, but a for some reason a little part of me thought maybe this book would try to defy it in one small way. I actually think I was hoping for it, but don't worry, Waller doesn't give in so easy.... he stays true to the plot, meanwhile giving you a satisfying look at the ends of these lives. If you are looking for a light, easy read, with just enough emotion to touch you (though this is not the kind of book that will ROCK your world or anything) especially if you enjoyed the first book, don't pass this little one up. Even if you haven't read the first one, I think you could still find this one enjoyable. It is always interesting to be pushed into that thought of wondering..... what chances have we missed ??????
Rating: 
Summary: Must read
Review: Although I had expected so much more out of this epilouge to Bridges of Madison County, if you have read about the Bridges, you must read about the lives of Robert and Francesca after their love affair. I wish Francesca had played a bigger part in this second book. If you went to the Bridges you must walk the roads!
Rating:
Summary: Travel the country roads
Review: I started reading this book about five times before I forced myself to continue, and the journey to the end was less than moving. Although there are references to Robert and Francesca's love affair, those accounts are scattered throughout the book and garbled with other facets of Robert Kincaid's life. Francesca's life is portrayed as one walk to Roseman Bridge after another, which renders further focus on other facets of her life and even some character development. The Bridges of Madison County is so wonderfuly poignant . . . it is a pillar that should stand alone in its splendor.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Followup to Bridges
Review: After reading the horrible Puerta Vallerta Squeeze so many years ago, I was afraid Waller carved it out to finish off a contract so he would never have to write again. He doesn't have to after writing one of the bestselling books of all time. In "A Thousand Country Roads," Waller does us the favor of returning to the lives of Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid. This novel isn't so much a romance as it is a tale about getting older, about living with the decisions we've made whether they be good or bad. We knew from the ending of "Bridges of Madison County" (If we paid attention when we read the book) that the two would never meet again, and as we wish they would for one last tear jerker of a romance, Waller takes us on the road less traveled. He gives us a realistic portrait of two ex-lovers who will always care for and love the memories they shared. Kincaid makes his final journey to Roseman Bridge, but we must keep in mind that he doesn't know Francesca's husband has passed away, and he does what he does out of love and respect for what he believes to be her wishes. The son that he discovers so late in life is a nice touch, and the inclusion of key minor characters from the original make this a great epilogue to one of the best male-written romance novels ever penned. The ending isn't the over the top bawler of the original, but it is appropriately sentimental and touching. He couldn't have done a better justice to the characters without letting them fall into a romance novel cliche.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written
Review: This book was hard to put down. Waller writes in a way that makes you feel you are right there, with the characters as they
examine their lives. I did not read "The Bridges of Madison
County," but I now want to because of this follow-up work by the author. Robert Kincaid's life is an interesting one, a loner with much to share. He learns this lesson too late in life...that the secret of life is sharing with others. Although his travels have taken him far across the globe, he still longs for the light of home and family...something he never
achieves.
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