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A review by katmackie
Alexander's Bridge by Willa Cather
4.0
A powerful portrait of a man in crisis - midlife crisis - and his attempts to feel young again while still holding on to his present life and responsibilities. As he gets further caught in his desires, he loses control of things he worked hard for, amongst other things.
I didn't relate to Alexander's choices, but he didn't really frustrate me either. I understand why people say he's selfish - but I think Cather really showed a realistic portrayal of a human in earnest conflict, as well as the consequences of rampant indecision and inner turmoil. Alexander get's eaten away by his own vacillation, and while he sucks others into his despair (some unknowingly) the reader will certainly see what's about to happen during the climax. Alexander grows to have a weak foundation, and we see what this can do to a person, as well as all involved in their plight. Alexander may well be plainly selfish if one were to explain his predicament quickly (as I basically did by using the term 'midlife crisis,' bringing to mind new cars and ill-planned extravagances), but to read Cather's portrait I saw someone miserably grasping at the few crucial choices they presented for themselves, and the very real despair of time passed all too soon.
I didn't relate to Alexander's choices, but he didn't really frustrate me either. I understand why people say he's selfish - but I think Cather really showed a realistic portrayal of a human in earnest conflict, as well as the consequences of rampant indecision and inner turmoil. Alexander get's eaten away by his own vacillation, and while he sucks others into his despair (some unknowingly) the reader will certainly see what's about to happen during the climax. Alexander grows to have a weak foundation, and we see what this can do to a person, as well as all involved in their plight. Alexander may well be plainly selfish if one were to explain his predicament quickly (as I basically did by using the term 'midlife crisis,' bringing to mind new cars and ill-planned extravagances), but to read Cather's portrait I saw someone miserably grasping at the few crucial choices they presented for themselves, and the very real despair of time passed all too soon.