Modern Lit: The Bridge of Sighs, by Richard Russo

Sighs

Let me begin by stating that I enjoyed this novel. Characters that you care about and can understand, living in a recognizable place and time, rich prose – Bridge of Sighs has everything I look for in a novel -and then some. And some more. Too much coming of age, not enough grappling with the here and now – that’s what dragged down the pace of the novel until it stimulated impatience. It would have been great to know more about Lou and Sarah now. After they had lived through all those momentous, while at the same time ordinary, events. Years after. Bobby, on the other hand, receives better treatment – we know where he is, who he is, and why he is the way he is. It’s the length and the author’s maudlin compulsion to keep going over the same old ground that prevents this novel from becoming more. Nevertheless, what’s good about it makes it worthwhile, if not great.