Cannot disagree with you....

I understand that the National Geog Mag claimed that their photographers were never employed in the way described in the book . . . and the rest of the story was pretty unbelievable.

By coincidence I just finished reading an essay by Andree Seu concerning this type of turn of events. I hope she will not mind my quoting from a couple of paragraphs in this essay:

Every woman contemplating an affair should take a field trip to a men's locker room. In that inner anti-sanctum she would learn that affairs are not the same for him as for her. He is not the mystic she is. He is not wont, between furtive passionate episodes, to congregate with friends over latte, there to sigh and dream and mewl. You will find him in undistracted concentration on the company's quarterly financial report, studying the Eagles stats, and perfecting his golf swing. Knowledge by women of this fact alone could obviate more incidents of adultery than a hundred fire-and-brimstone sermons...
Know that men have affairs for reasons, not because you are their long sought mystical "other half." Hello! These Romeos are not looking for more relationship, they're looking to escape relationship... You, fun-time lover, are a feast at Le Bec Fin that he doesn't have to clean up after.

Hmm, I heard a lot about this book about fifteen years ago, and it seemed like, as I recall, that a certain segment of readers were quite gaga over it. As is often the case with me when a book gets too much favorable "air time," I am suspicious about it ever being as good as it is heralded. The premise didn't sound as if it was something that I would be interested in so I never bothered to read it.

Then seven or eight years ago when I found RP, I began to read as many things negative about it as I had previously heard positive. Could this be a backlash against a too popular book? I then wondered if it could possibly be as awful as RP folk made it sound -- not that I don't trust RPers, but...! Now I'm wondering if it might be one of those silly books that's so bad it's a hoot -- sort of like watching "Plan 9 from Outer Space." I guess I'll just have to read it to find out, though I don't know if I can stomach the subject matter.

I'm curious: What made you read it in the first place?

I read it because someone who I would otherwise trust in the book reccommending department said it was good.

I read it because "everyone else" was reading it and saying how good it was--even a dear friend who has a PhD in English and was teaching at the college level.

Guess I am just too old, and too practical, to believe any older adults are capable of such all-night shenanigans. Really! Can't we just get some sleep?

I have only seen the film which I enjoyed very much indeed. But then, I think Meryl Streep is wonderful, and Clint Eastwood is pretty good too.

I have no desire whatsoever to read the book, after that.

Dido

I think it is a man's fantasy disguised as a chick book. A man travels the world being responsible to no one, a hard working farm wife who is responsible to everyone have a one night stand and it is supposedly the fulfillment of their lives! What a bunch of crap. Then he goes on his merry way and leaves her alone with just the "wonderful" memory of him.

Deborah, well said! I agree, the book was sappy and over the top. I did like the movie, though.

I read it because it was given to me as a gift, with great ceremony, by a good friend. As the book was quite short, I really had no excuse not to read it, and I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

Having spent quite a few years of my adult life as a single person, I've had a number of relationships. And I think just about every single person who actively dates has the experience of meeting someone, feeling an electric connection, physical, emotional, yadda yadda yadda, thinking, "this is it, this is the one, this is the beyond what anyone in the history of the world has experienced," - and then it was over in two weeks and you are left wondering what kind of insanity had come over you. Bridges was laughable to me because it seemed to be a fictional account of the first part of such a relationship, and those two poor slobs mistook it for something worth dreaming about the rest of their lives. Just plain stupid.

Of course, I couldn't say this to the friend who gave it to me. I can't remember exactly, I mumbled something polite and left it at that. I have always been very careful about actually presenting someone with a book as a gift, especially since this incident!

I am in agreement with you all! Why? Well, as another poster said and I agree, I loved the movie because Meryl Streep is excellent and her emotion is believeable, touches the heart. What is unbelieveable is the excuse this woman makes to herself to justify her action. So, the life she had is 'different' than the one she left behind. She is the wife of a farmer in the middle of farm country and this man that waltzes in is 'exciting', 'inspiring', ?? This man she married took her away from a war torn country and gave her a new life which she accepted. (I feel this way about a marriage mate cheating in real life too. Man or woman.) I repeat, she 'accepted'. She wasn't forced. How do you feel bad for someone who poops in their own plate? If you're not happy, then for pete's sake don't treat your mate like an idiot. Be upfront and get out. Treat both of you with self respect. I would have liked it better if she had been honest enough to say to her husband 'I want out. Here is why...'. Now, half her life is squandered on thoughts that don't belong to another man. She stole from her family.

Anyway, that's my two cents. Sorry if I sound strident about it. I just have no patience for it. Now, I need a good cup of coffee. Coffee anyone? I'll pour...
Kim

I read the book because I was curious. I liked the movie better, which I rarely say-Streep again

I hated the book. I thought it was full of cliches and was insulting to the farming lifestyle. I was particularly turned off by the characters drinking wine from mason jars. Ok, so she doesn't have wine glasses (really? Not even one?) do they have to use mason jars? Wouldn't glasses work?
jo

From reading through your posts I think I will exchange the copy of Bridges of Madison County for something written by Andree Seu. Any books available from said author, froniga?

thyrkas, I had never heard of Andree Seu until my daughter gave me this book of essays for Christmas. Apparently, she writes columns for a publication called World Magazine. She is a very bright lady whose vocabulary keeps me scurrying to my dictionary. But that particular essay quoted above, I understood perfectly.

froniga - May I ask the name of the book of essays by Seu?

thyrkas, the book is called Normal Kingdom Business.

Many thanks, froniga!

I hated this book. This book puts a whole new twist to the axiom, "Don't burn your bridges."