ALEXANDER S BRIDGE

With Alexander's Bridge, Willa Cather's published works made another jump in length: from poetry to short stories, and now to a short novel. In many ways, this short novel contained less of her characteristic insight-into-people-and-places than was displayed in the previously published collection of short stories: The Troll Garden. It was almost as if this was an exercise at extending the number of pages used, rather than a natural growth of feeling. At the same time, however, it is still the inner-workings and driving-force of life that command her attention, and thus mine. It is the story of Bartley Alexander, a renowned engineer and bridge builder, who happens to be one of those people who seems to be kissed by good fortune. His career is incredibly successful, he marries a rich girl (who he also happens to be in love with), and to top it all off, he gets to travel between Boston and London on a regular basis. What's not to love? His somewhat idyllic life begins to unravel, however, when he becomes reacquainted with a former flam....CONTINÚA