The Bridge

By: Bill Konigsberg

Narrated by: Marin Ireland

Two teenagers, strangers to each other, have decided to jump from the same bridge at the same time. But what results is far from straightforward in this absorbing, honest lifesaver from acclaimed author Bill Konigsberg.

Aaron and Tillie don't know each other, but they are both feeling suicidal, and arrive at the George Washington Bridge at the same time, intending to jump. Aaron is a gay misfit struggling with depression and loneliness. Tillie isn't sure what her problem is - only that she will never be good enough.

On the bridge, there are four things that could happen:

Aaron jumps and Tillie doesn't.

Tillie jumps and Aaron doesn't.

They both jump.

Neither of them jumps.

Or maybe all four things happen, in this astonishing and insightful novel from Bill Konigsberg

©2020 Bill Konigsberg (P)2020 Scholastic Inc.

I Wasn't Sure I Wanted To Read This…

…I've read a few of Bill's books and I've always enjoyed them. When I saw what this was about, I wasn't sure I wanted an angsty book of people struggling with suicidal ideation. Post-pandemic, I've really tried to focus on more upbeat books. The world can be dark enough IRL, and books are my getaway. I am SO GLAD I got this.

I lost a parent to suicide and can relate with the kinds of questions friends and family ask themselves in the aftermath. I've also from time to time - found myself having early thoughts along those lines. I'd joke with people that I wasn't suicidal, but I'd for sure, "driven around the neighborhood." I don't deal with chemical depression, but I've had situational spirals that felt hopeless. It's the other reason I wasn't sure I wanted to read a about sad teens that had come to the end of their ropes. That's not what this is… exactly.

It IS that, and it's not that, at the same time. As the back cover already lets you in on - so there's no real spoiler here - you get the story, retold in each possible scenario of two teens standing on a bridge. The bulk of the story is focused on the more hopeful story. That doesn't mean it isn't still sad. All 4 timelines are sad, but they aren't "dark." The teens are angsty, but the story isn't. My second biggest fear (the first being - I just didn't want to read a really sad book), was that it would have the feeling of "…and when they decided to push through, they found fairy tale happiness, and everything worked out perfect for everyone." That also doesn't happen. It's real. Sometimes it's very raw. It is not idyllic. It doesn't feel false. And while the subject matter is sad, and there are kids and adults alike who have made the final choice, this book is beautiful, sad, and hopeful all at the same time. If you have any interest in understanding the mind of someone who has been pushed to their own edge (and that edge is different for everyone - and believe it or don't - everyone does have that edge), and the spinning thoughts and mindtraps boxed in by thinking errors and the inability to see the possibilities, this is an amazing read. If you've ever found yourself even lightly contemplating, "What if I just… wasn't… anymore?" The cause and effect mapping here is spectacular. If you're super lucky, and have never felt like you just couldn't see the end of a dark tunnel, but when you've heard of stories and thought, "Why would they do that? What was happening wasn't even that big of a deal! Everyone goes through that now and then…" This will help you understand.

Beyond that though, the real heart of the story that prevents it from being just a "sad book about suicide, or suicidal thoughts," is the support around them, and how curious it is, when you feel you can't support yourself anymore (emotionally), there always seems to be room to support someone else. When two people can't see their own way out, but can help see through the trees for each other? That is a stunning dynamic that I felt lightened an exceedingly heavy topic, shone a light into a dark place, and kept the story enjoyable (even if it feels weird to say a story about suicidal teens was "enjoyable," but it really was). If you can write about such a weighty issue, but keep it in the land of "not depressing," you've done a really stellar job with your craft.

A life saver

Put it in the hands or ears of your teens. It is an empathy builder and a life safer.

Depressing

This is a good book if you want to delve into teen depression. otherwise maybe steer clear.

the third section lost me

this book is broken up into 3 sections, the first barely held my Interest and when the narrator did the singing (more like screeching) parts I almost gave up. the second section was great, I really loved all the characters in that story and that part alone would have gotten 5 stars from me but then the third section which both jumps back and forth between what would have happened if they both survived and what would have happened if they both died while simultaneously jumping huge amounts of time into the future completly lost me. even if I could have followed it and knew what was going on I think the futuristic setting would have ruined it for me because it really didnt feel like it fit into the rest of the book. the narrator was pretty good except for those singing parts that had me ripping my headphones out.