And with a close of this book I made the last Bingo book before the deadline! #cbr10bingo is now complete!
What can I say about Between the Bridge and the River that has not been said before? I purposely did not read anything about this book before reading it. Sadly, now I wish I had found this book before the book club discussion. I would have a few things to say.
Therefore, I am just going to give my impression of the book (as we probably mostly know it by now).
This was one of the most indulgent, pieces of sh*t I have read in a while. How could someone who seems as intelligent as him put his name to this mess of a novel? There is nothing redeeming about it. These are horrible people and makes me embarrassed to say I am a human. And… I loved it. Oh, only a rating of 4 kind of love, but still loved it. The sarcasms of his one liners, the disdain he has for Hollywood (the place that gave him his fame) his love/hate relationship with religion all come together in one big messy piece of “Well that’s something isn’t it?”
These people are retched people. I would not want to know any of them. Even, George. Though I do like the line where he mentioned to his daughter for her not to be selfish. It might be hard to hear that your father wishes to end his life, but at the same time, both she and Claudette were being selfish to want to hold onto him. Being human is complicated.
What I was not really thrilled about, but perhaps is realistic, is the six-degrees of how everyone is connected. The ending also, is a bit weak. Cancer magically disappears? Fraser is left on the side of the road in his orange dress? Saul grows old and makes money? (Realistic, but frustrating). And Leon, really was he that dumb? Was the swimming instructor not gay? (Okay, that last one not so important.)
Would I recommend this book? Maybe. I would have to say to someone, “I read this book. It is a piece of indulgent sh*t but think you might want to read it and decide for yourself.”