Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

I know I've been a slow reader lately but in reality, I've been reading rather lengthy books. The latest is no exception. This is the second Richard Russo I've read and it was as good, if not better than the first. The Bridge of Sighs revolves around three main characters really: Lou "Lucy" Lynch, a "simple" man with simple pleasures who prefers living his life burying the complex secrets of his past; Lou's wife Sarah Berg - a woman caught living in two worlds - the separate world of her parents whom she splits her childhood with (summers with her flighty, alcoholic somewhat slutty mother and the rest of her time with her seemingly schizophrenic, self-absorbed, pot-smoking father who would rather forget his daughter for a novel he's writing that will never be finished); last is Bobby Marconi, the boy/man whom neither Lou nor Sarah have seen since he left their hometown after graduation at 18; a person that neither can let go but both, at times would like to forget. The novel takes place in Thomaston, New York - a rather small town in the upper part of the state. It spans about 60 years and weaves itself through the lives of the Lynches, Bergs and Marconis - three families whose lives intersect each other even through the reluctance of certain members of the families. Throughout the novel, the chapters switch "narrator" so that the reader gets an undisguised glimpse into each family and all their secrets. These secrets and the nuances of each family are slowly revealed throughout the novel - secrets that when revealed could leave the lives of Sarah, Lou and Bobby forever changed and not necessarily for the better.

This was a super book! I love the back and forth history of the characters and getting to know them through their human faults and feelings. Richard Russo always does such an amazing job in allowing his characters to be real, human, not-so-perfect. I could never relate to a person who had no faults and it's nice to read a novel whose main characters frustrate you and make you crazy (if only for a chapter or two) in order to reveal the characteristics that all of us have. Read it...you'll love it.

I'm now on to The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold. I've read it before but wanted to read it again before seeing the movie (which comes out January 15th). If you haven't read it...do...it's tough and raw and shocking and not for the faint of heart but it's such a good piece of writing.