A review by barrypierce
Alexander's Bridge, by Willa Cather
3.0
In the preface to this edition Willa Cather writes, "Alexander's Bridge was my first novel, and does not deal with the kind of subject-matter in which I now find myself most at home." She spends the rest of the preface apologising for its existence. I feel Cather is far too tough on herself for this novel, because I rather enjoyed it.
The plot is very simple. A man has an affair and can't live with it. That's basically it. This novel has the unique claim of the main character being a bridge-maker, can't say I've come across that before. However what this novel lacks in plot, it makes up for in sheer enjoyability. Many reviewers overlook the basic experience of enjoying a book. When I sat down and read this novel it flowed before me. I was enthralled for the whole journey. I must give props to Cather for constructing such a smooth narrative and for creating such a crazy ending, that was great. Altogether this is a fine novel that overcomes its plot problems and leaves you rather content.
The plot is very simple. A man has an affair and can't live with it. That's basically it. This novel has the unique claim of the main character being a bridge-maker, can't say I've come across that before. However what this novel lacks in plot, it makes up for in sheer enjoyability. Many reviewers overlook the basic experience of enjoying a book. When I sat down and read this novel it flowed before me. I was enthralled for the whole journey. I must give props to Cather for constructing such a smooth narrative and for creating such a crazy ending, that was great. Altogether this is a fine novel that overcomes its plot problems and leaves you rather content.