43 pages • 1 hour read
The Bridge on the Drina
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Book Brief
429
Novel • Fiction
Višegrad, Bosnia • 1500s-1900s
1945
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andrić explores the life and history surrounding a bridge in Višegrad, connecting diverse communities of Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Roma under Ottoman and later Austrian rule. Topics include war, execution, and oppression.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
22,506 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric intricately weaves history with fiction, portraying life in a Bosnian town through centuries. Critics praise Andric's lyrical prose and deep historical insight, yet some find the pacing slow and narrative style detached. Overall, it is lauded for its rich storytelling and cultural depth, though it's best suited for patient readers.
Who Should Read The Bridge on the Drina?
A reader who enjoys The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric is likely captivated by historical novels that explore the complexities of cultural and political landscapes over time. Comparable to Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude or Milan Kundera’s The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, Andric’s work will appeal to those who appreciate intricate, multigenerational narratives.
22,506 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Alihodja
Alihodja
A resident of Višegrad who resents the cultural changes brought by modernization, becoming more cynical as he experiences significant personal conflict and disillusionment with progress.
Lotte
Lotte
A Jewish widow and savvy businesswoman who runs a hotel in Višegrad and is determined to rise from poverty, while also investing in her family and community.
429
Novel • Fiction
Višegrad, Bosnia • 1500s-1900s
1945
Adult
18+ years
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