The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Nov 24, 2025 9:44 AM

Author:Thornton Wilder

An ancient bridge collapses over a gorge in Peru, hurling five people into the abyss. It seems a meaningless human tragedy. But one witness, a Franciscan monk, believes the deaths might not be as random as they appear. Convinced that the disaster is a punishment sent from Heaven, the monk sets out to discover all he can about the travellers. The five strangers were connected in some way, he thinks. There must be a purpose behind their deaths. But are their lost lives the result of sin? ... Or of love?

Reviews

A glorious thing

—— David Mitchell

A very funny book about a sensitive subject...Ben Elton the writer might be even funnier than Ben Elton the comic

—— Daily Mail

A tender, beautifully balanced romantic comedy

—— Spectator

Extremely funny, clever, well-written, sharp and unexpectedly moving...This brilliant, chaotic satire merits rereading several times

—— Nicholas Coleridge , Mail on Sunday

This is Elton at his best - mature, humane, and still a laugh a minute. At least

—— Daily Telegraph

Only Ben Elton could combine uncomfortable questions about gender politics with a gripping, page-turning narrative and jokes that make you laugh out loud

—— Tony Parsons

A very funny book about a sensitive subject ... Ben Elton the writer might even be funniter than Ben Elton the comic

—— Daily Mail

The selections from the greats are generous and well chosen

—— Guardian

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