The Bridge of San Luis ReyThe Bridge of San Luis Rey
Score Classic
What it's about
On July 20, 1714, the finest bridge in Peru, an old rope bridge woven by the Incas, breaks and throws five travelers into the gorge below. Brother Juniper, a monk who saw it happen, sets out to prove that their deaths were part of God's plan by learning everything about their lives. The novel tells each of their stories.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Pulitzer Prize and is on both the TIME and Modern Library lists of the best novels. It's short and beautiful, about love and chance.
You'll love it if you liked
The Five People You Meet in Heaven
Cloud Atlas
GileadGood to know
It's under 150 pages and reflective rather than dramatic.
By the numbers
- Readers10 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics94 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller45 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #143 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #363 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1242 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
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Quick answers
Is The Bridge of San Luis Rey worth reading?
Yes. It won the Pulitzer Prize and is on both the TIME and Modern Library lists of the best novels. It ranks #1,242 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 70.5 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Bridge of San Luis Rey about?
On July 20, 1714, the finest bridge in Peru, an old rope bridge woven by the Incas, breaks and throws five travelers into the gorge below. Brother Juniper, a monk who saw it happen, sets out to prove that their deaths were part of God's plan by learning everything about their lives. The novel tells each of their stories.
How long does it take to read The Bridge of San Luis Rey?
About 5 hours (192 pages), or about 10 days at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has The Bridge of San Luis Rey won?
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner (1928).
What should I read after The Bridge of San Luis Rey?
If you liked it, try The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell or Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.