The One-Way Bridge: A Novel

THE ONE-WAY BRIDGE is Cathie Pellletier's first novel in six years. Fans have been eagerly waiting for this new addition to the literary mélange of summer books. The One-Way Bridge is in Mattagash, Maine, and is the only way into and out of town. Over the years, an informal rule evolved that the one on the bridge or the one arriving at the bridge has the right of way.

Mattagash is an insular town at the northernmost piece of land in Maine. It is populated by the usual eccentrics and has its share of ridiculous feuds. Five residents of this town emerge as main characters, and readers will have a good time ferreting them out. The storyline is not linear; it is told by an omniscient narrator who is entirely believable despite the fact that s/he jumps around in telling all of the events that take place in Mattagash.

As the book opens, Billy Thunder is next to his mailbox. He is waiting for a small package sent to him from his cronies downstate. He confronts the mailman, Orville Craft, who is not delivering the mail as fast as Billy thinks he should. They have a small argument over this, which ends quickly.The box Billy is waiting for is full of phony Viagra tablets. The women in town are his biggest customers.

As the narrative unfolds, readers are led into the town's secrets, lies and suspicions. It seems that everyone talks to everyone else, but hidden agendas are woven through every relationship. For example: Billy "knew ears grew on trees in Mattagash, and even moles have twenty-twenty vision." He and others are very aware of who they talk to and where. They are even conscious of who they are seen with. They are suspicious of strangers and newcomers.

The men are not afraid of being seen by their friends flirting with waitresses and other women who are divorced or widows. They like to see a bit of cleavage that does not belong to their wives. All in good fun, this usually takes place in "Blanche's Café."

Another important event in the life of Orville Craft is that we meet him during his last week as a mailman. He resigned his post and is not sure that he should have done it so early in his life. He had years ahead of him that he could have provided mail service to the townfolk. But his philosophy is "what is done is done and he will live with the consequences." He drives up to Harry Plunkett's mailbox, which is a moose, and finds that Harry has turned his silly moose around. Orville is very insulted by this because, in order to put the mail in the box, he has to open the back side. This becomes a bone of contention between the two men. These are the kinds of hijinks that take place throughout the book.

Cathie Pelletier has written a novel with a particular perspective on small towns and those who populate them. Her piercing acumen getting into her characters' lives is a reflection of her talent as a writer who knows her material. She has a perfect pitch for dialogue, and readers might think she carved out the words and people with a scalpel. Fans and newcomers will find THE ONE-WAY BRIDGE a delight.

Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum

I've loved Cathie Pelletier's books since her very first. I'm safe in saying there is no other writer like her! Her characters are the best. Some can be found in any small town, others not so much! Their uniqueness, their realness makes them believable. Full of warts and trouble, dreams and aspirations, failures too. I couldn't put this book down. It's a laugh out loud read. A tender soft read. One that will mist your eyes and touch your heart as well as your funny bone. Give me more of Cathie Pelletier. The title The One-Way Bridge was perfect as the bridge is what the story is wrapped around, the only bridge in and out of town and it's one way, of course. The flashbacks Harry Plunkett had of the Vietnam War were as real as if I were there in the jungle with him. Gripping. I watched all the footage of the war and read books doing research for a project and Cathie nailed the scenes perfectly - if anything about the war could be perfect. Thank you Ms. Pelletier. I'll be looking for your next book.

I originally downloaded this book for my mother, but she was unable to read it due to health reasons. Normally I read mysteries, spy novels and offbeat authors like Christopher Moore, Terry Pratchett, or Tom Robbins. So, I wasn't expecting much when I started 'The One Way Bridge'. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were all interesting in entirely different ways, and all likeable in their own way. If you enjoyed either 'Cold Sassy Tree', 'A Prayer For Owen Meeny', or 'Cider House Rules', I think you'll enjoy 'The One Way Bridge'.

Wow - was I disappointed in this book. It sounded like so much fun. I've lived in Vermont for almost 30 years (and, yes, the town I live in has a one-way bridge) so I was really looking forward to it.

But...the characters were unlikeable and pretty dull. I ended up not even finishing it and that is pretty rare for me...especially since I paid for the hardcover. Ugh.

The best thing about this book was the cover design. I could not recommend this to anyone.

An interesting story with engaging characters. I would not recommend this for anyone who was not alive and aware during the sixties and seventies -- there is just too much nuance that you would miss.

I loved this story. I enjoyed the characters and their conflicting emotions so much. I especially loved the "nod" to the power of words and how they change us. The end of this book will stay with me - beautifully crafted!!

This is the first book by Cathie Pelletier that I've read but it certainly won't be my last. I read The One-Way Bridge in a couple of days, it's that kind of book: hard to put down and one that I was sorry to finish.

Highly recommended!

Read my full review at: myreallifereviews dot com

Pelletier is from "my neck of the woods", northern Maine. I "know" with many of her characters and find her writing to be thoughtful and also entertaining. There is a lot of pathos beneath the seeming humor.

Bad!!!
The writer started of the book with filthy language. That is a sure turn-off for me. I closed it up and asked for my money back. It was obviously a mistake to have purchased that book. She must have a very limited vocabulary to pull that stuff!!! I would never purchase a novel by her again!!!!