Scan barcode
erinmeyers's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sueann's review against another edition
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. He tells the story of the hard lives of textile workers in the early 20th century. This kind of novel is just the sort of thing to get readers interested in history, something we need more of. His description of the NYC dinner party was a hoot. And he isn't saying one doesn't encounter snarkiness in the south either - a similar event takes place back at home.
meghanfulmer's review against another edition
4.0
The Bridge is the story of Pick Cantrell, a political cartoonist living in New York whose career has just fallen apart. When Pick and his family move back to his home state of North Carolina, he is forced to spend time with family that he had long been able to avoid, especially his formidable grandmother, Mama Lucy. Through his evolving relationship with Mama Lucy, Pick begins to uncover stories from his grandmother's past and discovers her role in the General Textile Strike of 1934.
The book moves backward and forward in time as we see Mama Lucy in her youth, describing her life as a poor mill worker, and then also watching the present-day story of Pick unfold. I really liked the scenes that took place in the past; it was fascinating to learn about the issues faced by mill hands and learn more about Mama Lucy's character. The modern plot has its own complexities, as Pick and his wife Cameron struggle to find their new normal in North Carolina, and Pick continues to uncover more details about his complicated family.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Southern fiction, and the North Carolina backdrop was gorgeous. I did find some of the dialogue to be a bit unrealistic, but overall this was an intriguing story filled with interesting characters.
The book moves backward and forward in time as we see Mama Lucy in her youth, describing her life as a poor mill worker, and then also watching the present-day story of Pick unfold. I really liked the scenes that took place in the past; it was fascinating to learn about the issues faced by mill hands and learn more about Mama Lucy's character. The modern plot has its own complexities, as Pick and his wife Cameron struggle to find their new normal in North Carolina, and Pick continues to uncover more details about his complicated family.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Southern fiction, and the North Carolina backdrop was gorgeous. I did find some of the dialogue to be a bit unrealistic, but overall this was an intriguing story filled with interesting characters.
samoverton's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cindywindy_blogs's review against another edition
5.0
One of my all-time favorites. I'm just so sad that Doug Marlette died in that car accident a year ago. No more of his wonderful writing to look forward to. His other novel, The Magic Time is also excellent.
The main character has a mouth and temper that gets him into trouble, straight away he's fired from his New York job for losing it with his editor. He reluctantly agrees with his wife, Cameron, and moves back to NC, where he grew up, to start fresh. Back in NC he faces the family, mainly Mama Lucy, and memories of his mother. Mama Lucy, is the cantankerous, prickly, matriarch of the family. And Pink has never gotten along with her. He harbors a deep rooted grudge against his grandmother and believes she is responsible for his mother's long hospital stays and eventual death.
Their relationship blossoms (corny word I know) as Mama Lucy tells Pink about her involvement in the mill strike, what happened to her best friend, her brother, her first love, and her husband. And slowly, Pink realizes her grandmother was never responsible for her mother's troubles.
This book had it all-- it was humorous, sad at times, but also uplifting. The history behind the mill strike workers was interesting. The Bridge is set in my local area--Chapel Hill, Elon, Burlington, and Pittsboro, so it was neat reading about all the local places. Just as a side note, the traditional lighted pumpkins still appear on Chicken Bridge on Halloween night.
The main character has a mouth and temper that gets him into trouble, straight away he's fired from his New York job for losing it with his editor. He reluctantly agrees with his wife, Cameron, and moves back to NC, where he grew up, to start fresh. Back in NC he faces the family, mainly Mama Lucy, and memories of his mother. Mama Lucy, is the cantankerous, prickly, matriarch of the family. And Pink has never gotten along with her. He harbors a deep rooted grudge against his grandmother and believes she is responsible for his mother's long hospital stays and eventual death.
Their relationship blossoms (corny word I know) as Mama Lucy tells Pink about her involvement in the mill strike, what happened to her best friend, her brother, her first love, and her husband. And slowly, Pink realizes her grandmother was never responsible for her mother's troubles.
This book had it all-- it was humorous, sad at times, but also uplifting. The history behind the mill strike workers was interesting. The Bridge is set in my local area--Chapel Hill, Elon, Burlington, and Pittsboro, so it was neat reading about all the local places. Just as a side note, the traditional lighted pumpkins still appear on Chicken Bridge on Halloween night.
More...