The Bridges of Maddison County

A few days back,I finished reading the book 'THE BRIDGES OF MADDISON COUNTY' by Robert James Waller.My brother-in-law Srikanth who is a voracious reader gave me this book.It is very difficult to put in words my feelings on completing the book.All that I can say is to this day,I have not read a book that has depicted 'true love' in so profound a fashion,in such genuine words.

The novelist deserves all praise for his wonderful depiction of love between a middle-aged man and a woman a few years younger to him.They are in no way young.In fact the woman is a mother of two children who are in their teens and the man ,a professional photographer,is a person whose wife desrted him faulting his attitude--he pushed family life to the back seat allowing his profession to get precedence.From the point of view of Indian culture,the book can be dismissed just like that on the ground that it deals with 'sinful' extra-marital relationship but those who hold such a view are only betraying their complete lack of aestheticism.What exists between the man and the woman is not mere 'physical attraction'.This is clear from the fact that the man's first love is photography and the lady has nothing to complain in life with an affectionate,though mundane,husband and two loving children.But still,what makes them feel attracted to each other so deeply is something inexplicable.Her gentle but forceful dismissal of his idea of her ' running away' with him out of respect for her family is extremely convincing.The man is so dignified that he not merely understands but respects her feelings and keeps his word,never trying to meet her again even once till his death.When she receives the things from his attoney after his death, it is not she alone but we too that shed a tear or two.The relationship does not remain a secret for ever:she chooses to let her children knowall about herself and the man she felt attracted to--ofcourse after her death.Like the readers, the children too take everything in the right perspective and their love and regard for their mother and her 'lover' only grows.When you finish reading the book,you find yourself speechless for hours together and your burdened heart is the greatest tribute that the author receives.

This beautiful novel has also been made into a movie by the no-nonsense director Clint Eastwood who also plays the protagonist.

I strongly recommend the book and the movie to everyone of you,readers of my blog!