The Bridges of Madison County

By: Robert James Waller

Narrated by: Kelli O'Hara, Steven Pasquale

Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

The legendary love story and the major motion picture starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. This is the story of Robert Kincaid, the photographer and free spirit searching for the covered bridges of Madison County, and Francesca Johnson, the farm wife waiting for fulfillment of a girlhood dream. It shows listeners what it is to love and be loved so intensely that life is never the same again.

©1992 Robert James Waller (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

Narrators Kelli O’Hara and Steven Pasquale bring out the beautiful simplicity of this love story about a photographer who shows up in a small town in the Midwest and meets a married woman. As the narrators alternate chapters, both offer performances that reflect the natural development of the love affair that develops. The gentle narration keeps the story focused on themes of self-fulfillment and true love, rather than on issues of morality. O’Hara and Pasquale complement each other’s performance with consistent renditions of Richard’s steady speech, reflecting his contemplative nature, and the foreign-born Francesca’s slight accent and soft voice. The dual narration adds to the effectiveness of this quietly stirring romance." (AudioFile magazine)

"An erotic, bittersweet tale of lingering memories and forsaken possibilities." (Publishers Weekly)

Tragic tale

Really enjoyed the storytellers. Such a melancholy tale. Loved the ending...sad but was a final closure.

The Bridges of Madison County

everything about it was perfect. a beautiful love story. I recommend it to anyone who is a true romantic

I cried most of the book

I've seen the movie and wanted to read the book. This was by far better than anything I could imagine it could be. I highly recommend.

What a wonderful performance.

Told from different views, the narrators were fantastic, and brought this short story to life in a way I did not expect.

I first saw the movie, years ago and that eventually had me come and find the book. It is far shorter than I am used to listening to. But it is short and sweet and beautiful in its exquisite aching. It is a visceral real collision of what a person can do when they come into your life for but a blink.

To enjoy this you will need to enjoy impossible longing and love, and the will that some people have to push it all back and hold it at bay. You'll need to remember what it was like to be a teen finding first love, and yet, it is better, to be able to remember that through the eyes of a person with kids grown maybe grand-kids already here. If you meet that criteria and enjoy a soft and quick story of wistful love, then this is for you.

If Romeo and Juliet doesn't move you, then best to just move along.

Awesome readers

the story itself is a classic and well written (though. an be a bit dry now and again) but the voice over was done very well!

The Best love story ever written

I have read this book several times over the years and it never fails to reach me deep inside.

Oh my heart

I can see why this was made into a movie. Wow is this story captivating. I laughed, I cried, I was sad when I reached the end. This book is a classic.

Tear jerking.

Beautiful love story. I tear up whenever I read it! I read the book in the early 90s and I watched the movie. It touched my soul.

Amazing story!!

Well narrated and great story. From start to an awesome end. An audible that is a must listen!!

It was meh

It was a lot shorter than the other audiobooks I have, 4-5 hours. It was kind of boring in the beginning and I thought I had purchased the wrong book because of the way the first chapter started combined with the narrators voice. I thought it was just okay honestly.