The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Warbler Classics Annotated Edition)

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize
Listed Among Time Magazine’s 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005

In eighteenth-century Peru, the collapse of a fabled bridge sets in motion a profound exploration of fate, love, and the interconnectedness of human lives. The Bridge of San Luis Rey centers around Brother Juniper, a devout Franciscan monk who witnesses the accident and becomes obsessed with understanding the workings of divine providence. Motivated by his belief that the bridge’s collapse was not a random event, he embarks on a quest to investigate the lives of the five victims who perished in the tragedy. Through meticulous research and interviews, Brother Juniper uncovers the fascinating and often intertwined backstories of the victims: the Doña Maria, the Marquesa de Montemayor; her companion Pepita, a young orphan; Esteban, a scribe involved in a complicated love story; Uncle Pio, the devoted valet of actress Camila Perichole; and Jaime, her son.

With elegant prose and keen insight, Wilder poses profound questions about the nature of existence, the role of chance, and whether an elusive hand of destiny shapes our lives.

This Warbler Classics edition includes a detailed biographical timeline.

Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) was an acclaimed American playwright and novelist known for his profound exploration of human existence and the intricate interplay of time, memory, and individual experiences. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Wilder studied at Yale and Princeton. He received three Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other awards for his novels and plays. Wilder’s unique ability to capture the beauty and complexity of ordinary lives earned him a revered place in American literature and his contributions continue to inspire generations of readers and theatergoers alike.

Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) was an acclaimed American playwright and novelist known for his profound exploration of human existence and the intricate interplay of time, memory, and individual experiences. Born in Madison, Wisconsin, Wilder studied at Yale and Princeton. He received three Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other awards for his novels and plays. Wilder's unique ability to capture the beauty and complexity of ordinary lives earned him a revered place in American literature and his contributions continue to inspire generations of readers and theatergoers alike.