The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
The Bridge to Forbidden Love
When The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller came out in 1992, it was THE book to
read. Everyone was talking about it—with
good reason. It’s a good book, a short
but satisfying read. It’s a love story—an
affair to remember, so to speak. In the
summer of 1965 Francesca Johnson was a farm wife who meets Robert Kincaid, a
National Geographic photographer, passing through town. He’s interested in photographing the covered
bridges in the area and asks Francesca for directions. When she offers to show him,
there’s an instant chemistry spark that slowly ignites into full-blown passionate
fireworks. Her family is out of town, which
is quite convenient for them. But this
isn’t just a “wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am” relationship. Robert and Francesca find true love. He heaps
on the romantic mush she longs for and her husband is not built for. He tells
her he loves her and cinches the deal by saying things like: “In a universe of
ambiguity, this kind of certainty comes only once, and never again, no matter
how many lifetimes you live.” Or how about: “I’m no longer sitting next to you
here on the grass. You have me inside of
you as a willing prisoner.” Great stuff
for a lonely farm wife.
One
of my friends didn’t like the fact that Francesca kept journals of their time
together in a chest along with Robert’s magazine clippings, memories she clung
to for the remainder of her life right under her unsuspecting husband’s
nose. The story actually opens with her
grown children discovering these journals containing the incredible love story
after their mother had passed away. I thought it revealed Francesca’s undying
love. Call me a sap, but I was moved by the book.
When
the movie came out and I heard Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood were playing
Francesca and Robert, I wasn’t so convinced.
They just somehow didn’t seem right for the part. Even then I thought Clint was too old for the
role. But they turned out to be
perfect. I guess that’s why I’m not a
casting director. There’s one point
where Francesca sees Robert one more time in town. She’s riding in the truck with her husband
who is now back. Upon seeing Robert, Francesca’s heart almost stops and she struggles
not to jump out run after him. Inwardly she goes through a whirlwind of
emotions while trying to keep it together outwardly. What a scene! I get teary eyed just thinking about it.
Meryl was good. She was so good that in 1996, she was nominated for best
actress. For once she didn’t win. She lost to Susan Sarandon for her role in Dead Man Walking. I never saw that movie, but it doesn’t matter.
In my opinion Meryl Streep’s performance was Oscar-worthy.
Happy reading!
Annette
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