A review by jmross10
The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Bridge follows Tillie and Aaron, two teenagers who cross paths while contemplating suicide on the George Washington Bridge. It explores the various possibilities of what happens if one, both, or neither of them follow through. 

While it is about a very sad topic, I feel that Konigsberg DID NOT write with the singular intent of making people cry, thus blinding them to the bigger story. He wrote about the grief, struggles, catalysts, and potential outcomes with honesty. Explored the various different types of familial and “friend” responses, and (arguably the saddest part for me), people who had never crossed paths with the MCs and who’s lives were altered because of it. 

I thought it was well written and I didn’t mind the alternate versions of the story. Parts of it were repetitive but not in an annoying way. I appreciate that the various outcomes weren’t completely different and also that everyone wasn’t suddenly okay because that is definitely not true. 

I’ve read Konigsberg before and really enjoyed his work and I look forward to reading more in the future.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings