Bridge of Sighs

Richard Russo

Lou "Lucy" Lynch has lived in Thomaston, New York, all his life. He was an introverted only child with few friends. His father looked at the world through rose colored glasses -that Lou inherited. His mother was always trying to make his father, Big Lou, see that life doesn't always work the way he'd like. Lou always sided with his father. Now Lou is 60 and is getting ready to take a trip to Italy with his wife.

Lou is reflecting on his life and writes his story until he meets Sarah, his future wife, in junior high school. He receives his hated nickname in kindergarten. He learns to accept it because everyone in town calls him Lucy even to the present. Bobby Marconi is the one boy he always admires and considers his friend. But Bobby isn't around most of the time. Lou is terrorized by school bullies. When Sarah appears in his life, Lou falls in love with her despite their young age. He knows she is going to be his life.

Bobby Marconi's family is a mess. His father is an autocrat always threatening to strike his wife or sons. She keeps getting pregnant and giving in to her husband. She remains passive when threatened. Bobby has learned to hate his father who spends more time with his mistress than he does his own family. Bobby is sent off to military school because of his temper. He returns to Thomaston for his senior year after his mother pleads for his return. There he meets Lucy again and gets pulled into the Lynch family's life. Bobby leaves Thomaston as soon as he graduates from high school. He never returns, although the he and Lucy remain in loose contact throughout their lives.

Sarah Berg's parents are separated. Her mother lives in New York City, her father is an English high school teacher in Thomaston. Mr. Berg is very liberal and eccentric. Mrs. Berg is a free lance artist who enjoys her single life and lives in an apartment building occupied by many recently divorced men. Sarah spends her summers with her mother and the school year in Thomaston. Sarah is an excellent artist. When she meets Lou Lynch, she is pulled into the Lynch family.

Bridge of Sighs becomes a compelling saga. During the first half I was trying to figure out what was this story going to be about. Lou's life in the present is good although a bit rocky between Sarah's recent cancer and his son's problems. As he tells about his childhood, the reader doesn't get the whole story. It is only about half way through the book when Sarah and Bobby's memories and perspectives are added in does the reader get the whole story. Then Richard Russo's novel comes together and starts hitting hard.

This is the first book I can think of told primarily from the perspective of the town's "weird kid" and loner who became a successful adult. Bobby doesn't want to be friends with him, yet can't resist the neediness Lou has. By the time Sarah comes along, the neediness isn't as strong, but Lou will always have some of it.

When Bobby and Sarah's stories are added in, Bridge of Sighs becomes a complete tale. Things that Lou can't understand are very different in Bobby's perspective as the rough kid who is always ready for a fight. He doesn't understand why he allows himself to get pulled back to the Lynches, but they become an anchor during his last year in Thomaston. As more events happen and secrets revealed, I found myself tearing up in sympathy or from the poignancy of the moments.

Even after the story of their childhood finishes, Bridge of Sighs continues a bit further. It is a known fact that events from childhood can haunt people all their lives. Bridge of Sighs gives the adult Lou, Sarah, and Bobby a chance to finally reconcile themselves with their past, giving them a future to look forward to as they approach the last third of their lives.

Notice:  Non-graphic violence, Strong indecent language, Suggestive dialogue or situations