And the Bridge Is Love: A Novel
Three friends, two secrets, one love--and the journey of a lifetime.
Every week for twenty years, three friends meet in a leafy enclosure under the Verrazzano Bridge: Gertie, a feisty Norwegian divorcée and former athlete; Maria, a family-obsessed Italian American widow; and Corinna, a book-loving, hash-smoking eccentric. Together they sit and watch the sea as the ships--and the last years of their lives--sail by. On the eve of Gertie's eightieth birthday, they realize that time is running out. Gertie decides she wants to travel the world. Maria secretly plots to reunite Gertie and Corinna with their estranged families. And Corinna falls in love.
As the three women strike out in different directions, a series of events unfolds that threatens to destroy the most precious thing of all: their friendship. Heartfelt and humorous, And the Bridge Is Love invites readers to travel alongside these dynamic women in this inspiring novel about love, family, and forgiveness.
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Community Reviews
When Gertie announces she wants to take a trip for her 80th birthday, Maria tries to reunite Gertie and Corinna with their long-lost families. Maria is all about family and tradition and hopes to surprise Gertie by bringing her to New York. However, both Gertie and Corinna have secrets and sorrows in their pasts that they do not want discovered. As a result of her meddling, their friendships become strained.
Spoiler alert:
Corinna is horrified that her very abusive brother will find her. She was part of a rescue movement to save Jewish children during WWII and sent to live in England. Eventually she is adopted by a family that does not treat her well. She also finds out she has a sister who is still alive. Very sadly, her own parents had rejected her due to her deformity.
Gertie's story is slowly uncovered as we learn from Elsa how unloving and emotionally distant she was during Elsa's childhood. Swimming always came first.
No one wants to go with Gertie on her trip but she finally convinces the friendly sad-sack firefighter,Tom, to accompany her. He is a needy person but harmless.
Gertie has a heart attack right before her birthday and never does go on the trip. However, the three estranged friends put aside their differences and come together in the end. They wave to the ship as it passes under the bridge.
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