The Bridges of Madison County
Encyclopedia
The Bridges of Madison County is a 1992
best-selling novel by Robert James Waller
which tells the story of a married but lonely Italian woman, living in 1960s Madison County, Iowa
, who engages in an affair with a National Geographic photographer from Bellingham, Washington
who is visiting Madison County in order to create a photographic essay
on the covered bridge
s in the area. The novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, but it is in fact entirely fiction. However, the author has stated in an interview that there are strong similarities between the main character and himself.
The novel is one of the bestselling books of the twentieth century, with 50 million copies sold worldwide.
It was originally published in the UK under the title Love in Black and White.
The Bridges of Madison County was made into a 1995 film of the same name
, adapted by Richard LaGravenese
and directed by Clint Eastwood
. It stars Eastwood and Meryl Streep
.
An epilogue entitled A Thousand Country Roads
was published in 2002. It tells the remainder of the two main characters' story after their four-day affair. They never meet again, but their lives are interlocked until death.
According to San Francisco Chronicle the novel is "lyrical..sensuous and sensitive..a tale of lasting love"
1992 in literature
The year 1992 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Ben Aaronovitch - Transit*Julia Álvarez - How the García Girls Lost Their Accents*Paul Auster - Leviathan*Iain Banks - The Crow Road...
best-selling novel by Robert James Waller
Robert James Waller
Robert James Waller is an American author, also known for his work as a photographer and musician.-Life:Waller received his B.A. and M.A. from University of Northern Iowa . He received his Ph.D...
which tells the story of a married but lonely Italian woman, living in 1960s Madison County, Iowa
Madison County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 15,679 in the county, with a population density of . There were 6,554 housing units, of which 6,025 were occupied.-2000 census:...
, who engages in an affair with a National Geographic photographer from Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Whatcom County in the U.S. state of Washington. It is the twelfth-largest city in the state. Situated on Bellingham Bay, Bellingham is protected by Lummi Island, Portage Island, and the Lummi Peninsula, and opens onto the Strait of Georgia...
who is visiting Madison County in order to create a photographic essay
Photo essay
A photo-essay is a set or series of photographs that are intended to tell a story or evoke a series of emotions in the viewer. A photo essay will often show pictures in deep emotional stages. Photo essays range from purely photographic works to photographs with captions or small notes to full text...
on the covered bridge
Covered bridge
A covered bridge is a bridge with enclosed sides and a roof, often accommodating only a single lane of traffic. Most covered bridges are wooden; some newer ones are concrete or metal with glass sides...
s in the area. The novel is presented as a novelization of a true story, but it is in fact entirely fiction. However, the author has stated in an interview that there are strong similarities between the main character and himself.
The novel is one of the bestselling books of the twentieth century, with 50 million copies sold worldwide.
It was originally published in the UK under the title Love in Black and White.
The Bridges of Madison County was made into a 1995 film of the same name
The Bridges of Madison County (film)
The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 American romantic drama film based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Robert James Waller. It was produced by Amblin Entertainment and Malpaso Productions, and distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment...
, adapted by Richard LaGravenese
Richard LaGravenese
Richard LaGravenese is an American screenwriter and occasional film director. He is best known as the writer of The Fisher King.-Personal life:...
and directed by Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood
Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. is an American film actor, director, producer, composer and politician. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide...
. It stars Eastwood and Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
.
An epilogue entitled A Thousand Country Roads
A Thousand Country Roads
A Thousand Country Roads is a 2002 novel by Robert James Waller. It is the epilogue to The Bridges of Madison County which was published in 1992...
was published in 2002. It tells the remainder of the two main characters' story after their four-day affair. They never meet again, but their lives are interlocked until death.
According to San Francisco Chronicle the novel is "lyrical..sensuous and sensitive..a tale of lasting love"