The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder opens with a sudden catastrophe: on July 20, 1714, the finest bridge in Peru collapses, sending five people to their deaths. Brother Juniper, a Franciscan friar who witnesses the event, devotes himself to uncovering why these particular individuals perished. Through his investigation, Wilder intertwines the stories of the Marquesa de Montemayor, the orphans Pepita and Esteban, Uncle Pio, and others, examining themes of love, faith, chance, and destiny. The novel blends intimate character studies with philosophical reflections, offering a timeless meditation on the search for meaning in human life.
Technical details
Pages: 128
Publication year:
Publisher: Penguin Books (later editions by Penguin Random House)
Language: English
Original language: English
Author: Thornton Wilder
