The Bridge Club: A Novel

Alcoholism, finding your birth mom, internet porn addiction, breast cancer, lesbianism - this was like a marathon of Lifetime movies!
It goes without saying that many things will happen over a 40-year friendship, but it was just too much of a stretch to believe that every one of these women would undergo their own 'trendy' topic.
The chapters dragged on and I found myself skipping over big sections - especially when I caught on to the fact that each woman was going to neatly wrap up her own issue like a pretty little package with a nice bright bow.

The story is interesting but the way the story is told is mostly tell with very little show.

Like that these people had a long history with each other and were able to keep their group as tight as it was, even with all the changes in their personal lives.

Like the references to popular culture that resonates with my age group.

If ever a book was in need of an editor, this is it! Stilted, clichéd dialogue and superfluous descriptive sentences (and paragraphs) slowed the chapter stories to a plodding pace. The dialog was not realistic. The writing was a distraction. And how convenient that each of the characters suffers a different crisis representative of the most common women's issues. I finished reading this book only because it was my book group's selection.

I found the book to be beyond predictable. The idea was good, but I did not think it was very well written.
Each chapter described one of the characters and their problem, the narration was never ending and boring.
It was a selection from our Book Club, so I read the entire book, but took to skimming large parts of the book
just to get through it (and didn't really miss anything important). Personally, I thought the ending was a "cop-out" because she couldn't decide how to
finish it properly.

I know buying something for 99 cent isn't much...but when something is so boring that 99 cents could've went on a interesting book. Almost fell asleep twice and that was in the 2nd chapter. On to my good ones.

This book is amazing. It is delightful, funny, heartwarming, and the plot is unusual. Where does this author get her imagination? It is unlike any other. There is a mysterious end to the novel that I have never seen in all my years of reading. Everyone should read. It is Woman's fiction at it's best. I received this book as a gift.

i have never played bridge but i have played cards blackjack and poker and i can relate to this story it about true friends that always have your back but tells you about things like it is not pussyfooting around
Good books stimulate, inspire and provoke a plethora of emotions. The Bridge Club does that in spades. So many emotions were aroused as I read it...joy, sadness, curiousity, doubt, anger, jealousy, empathy..I could go on but I won't as I don't want to give it all away. All I can say is, buy it, read it, and pass it on to your friends, it is a fantastic read and i will read it again and again

Won an autographed copy by Ms. Sands when I entered a contest recently.

The Bridge Club (ISBN 978-1-4502-4135-9) by Patricia Sands 2010
ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award Finalist
5 star rating
I recommend this book to everyone.

Amazing novel - Eight women (The Bridge Club) came together during the 1960's meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at one of their homes. They came together to celebrate their sixtieth birthdays and reminisce forty years of trials and tribulations they each experienced during this time. They were always there for one another (Support of Sisters), over lunches, dinners, wine parties, accompanying one to doctor's appointments, etc, and playing a game of bridge at the end of the day. The one staple that brought them together.

Each individual story will have an impact on you, as it did me. Felt like I was right there experiencing their issues with them.

This is Ms. Sands first novel and can not wait to read her second The Promise of Provence a Novel due out next month. Thank you Ms. Sands for allowing me to read such a well written novel.

The Bridge Club by Patricia Sands is a story about eight 60 something Women set over forty years. Brought together with their passion of Bridge and so the Club is established. Fate takes hold of each of the 8 ladies in different ways and their friendship is tested every time. They remain loyal, don't judge each other and offer the ultimate support when needed.

The books starts at the end. You get a taste of what is to come and the ultimate test of friendship is brought to them. Eight chapters are dedicated in turn to each one of the 8 ladies where you are transported to their most important time in their life and they remember the feelings and support they gave each other. Their "one for all and all for one " mantra uniting them in their individual struggles. Drinks, laughter and tears will help them work through their beliefs and values.

I wondered when I got this book if I would be able to connect with a group of ladies with a love of Bridge, not being able to play etc! Like it says on the front of the cover, ..it was never just about the cards. This book is so much more than a group playing bridge. This is a story of hope and sorrow. Friendships tested but always the first place each lady comes when in times of trouble/need or reassurance.

Beautifully written, Patricia introduces you to each Character dedicating a chapter to each one but still showing the closeness of the friendships through out. This book will have you laughing with them but also reaching for a tissue and the struggles they all endure. To me the ending was perfect and I totaly understood the direction that Patricia took and why. Loved the Bridge card display at the end of each chapter with a heading so fitting to what you have just read, lovely touch.

A thought provoking read for anyone, whatever age, who has close friendships that mean the world to them.

This is a lovely story. The camaraderie and mutual support of the characters is very authentic. It never felt forced or fake. Each of the women had their unique personalities that stayed consistent throughout.

In spite of this, I did not really enjoy this book. I struggled to discover why this was and identified a couple of reasons. They are purely mechanical but they mattered to me. First was the organization of the book. It felt like a group of disjointed stories containing the same set of characters. It just did not flow well for me. The other reason was the length of the chapters. I really have a hard time with chapters that are 30 to 40 pages long. I honestly thought that each of the chapters could have been split into several, more manageable, chapters.

My personal experience is unique and does not stop me from recommending this book to others. It has a wonderful message and addresses issues that are relevant.

To be honest, I'm not sure how to rate this book. I think, depending on where you are in life, "The Bridge Club" will make a difference as to how you view it. I thought, overall, it was good, but some of the SOS' seemed too long for me. However, the last SOS affected me dramatically. Alzheimer's disease runs in my family. So I was very interested in reading that particular chapter.

I enjoyed the women's camaraderie and the fact that they had such a beautiful friendship for most of their lives. There is something to be said of such long lasting friendships. But, the last chapter hit home for me. I believe there will be a chapter or SOS that each of us can identify with. It's worth your time to give it a try.

I really enjoyed this book! It was my first time reading a Patricia Sands book and I'm looking forward to reading more.  THE BRIDGE CLUB is the story of a group of women that takes place over more than four decades.  Each chapter is told by one of the women and as you get to know them you can't help but get all caught up in their lives and friendship.      The end of the book was different for me.  One of the women is going through something very traumatic but Patricia doesn't tell you the name of who it is.  She drops hints but never actually tells you who it is.   

This was an awesome read and very hard to put down.  THE BRIDGE CLUB isn't really about bridge, although the women play it all the time.  Its more about friendship and being there when a friend needs you.  Lifelong lessons that each of the women learn will leave you wanting more.  Great job Patricia and thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book.

The Bridge club is a story about a group of friends who meet for their monthly game of bridge at each other’s houses. The story focuses on each of the woman lives over the years as they share key changing events in their lives, and the help and the support they are given from the group.

It is a story of strong bonds and friendships, the stories are deeply moving and quite emotional at times. This book is just a wonderful read that shows the nicer side to human nature. No matter what you go through in life if you have the support and love of good friends as shown in this book you can get through anything.

Love this book revolving around a group of friends. The way it is written makes it the perfect book to read at night. You can read a section relating to each friend's background in about one night- then the story brings all of them together for the ending. Wonderful friend book! Loved it!!!!

What a wonderful book exploring the enduring friendships of a group of women through 4 decades of their every changing lives. Their loyalty throughout the most difficult of situations is strong and their love for one another equally strong. These women all come from a variety of backgrounds and each is met with an event in their life where they call upon The Bridge club to help and support them during difficult times. There is never any question that each of the women will be there for one another.
I loved this book. It reminded me of the special friendship I share with a group of girlfriends. I hope we will remain as full of fun and have such a love of life as these wonderful women do in this great book. A real tear-jerker too!

Reading Patricia Sand's The Bridge Club feels a little like taking a long road trip with a friend, she drives as we listen to her narrate this story of eight female characters, a condensed version of their lives, her voice like the gentle thrum of the engine, lulling us at times into a companionable silence, we listen and observe the passing landscape of years, immersing into these lives as if they were our own.

After forty years of friendship a group of friends are to spend a weekend at a mountain cottage, a location they have been to many times before, only this weekend will see them face a challenge unlike any other they have had to live through to date. Acknowledging the importance that this group of friends has been in each of their lives, affectionately referred to as BC, the Bridge Club, they each share their SOS, 'support of sisters' moment before facing the ultimate test of friendship that awaits them.

In this way each of the characters are introduced and we learn of a significant event in their lives that required this band of sisters to come together and thrash out a problem in a way that left no other option than to resolve the dilemma shared. It gets inside the minds of how a group of women think and they aren't always necessary in agreement, but by the end they will have agreed on a course of action that has the support of them all and often some kind of intervention as well.

We live through marriage, divorce, adoption, coming out, the premature death of a spouse and it will culminate in that weekend away, where it becomes apparent what the past forty years of friendship has been preparing them for, for nothing less than a rock solid lifelong friendship could endure what they must go through.

"A moment of intense quiet followed this exchange, a moment when their connection was almost palpable, with no doubt or hesitation. Their strength flowed from one to the other and bound them together as never before."

By the end of this read, we have had a glimpse into the lives of eight ordinary women, who like every one of us have lived through some extraordinary moments and we can only marvel at how fortunate they were not just to have found each other, but to have kept this bond of friendship together over the years and to have each benefited from the powerful gift that it offered, that magic synergy where the combined intention and actions of a dedicated group surpasses the sum of each its parts.

This book had a slow start...but as you continue reading about the friendship of eight woman that spans over 40 years this book hooks you in. I was unable to put it down and it made me laugh and shed tears for the women in the club could have been any of my closest friends. You can identify with their issues of divorce, love, and illness.
It is a true tale of never ending friendship.
I was able to read this book through a complimentary copy, many thanks to the author because I really enjoyed it. Great summer read.

I bought this book on my kindle and began to read it on my own. I soon realized I wanted someone to discuss the book with. So a few of my friends from church stepped up and read it with me. I think that is the point of a book like this. A book that spans years, friendships, and so many life experierences has to be shared to be enjoyed completely. This allows you to share in the experiences, bond over the friendships between the characters, and hope that in years to come you will have more books or things to talk and share with each other.
As for the book I found the characters deep and their lives rich so it was easy to read and enjoy. I do not play bridge but that in no way hindered my enjoyment or understanding of this book. I think it would be a wonderful if everyone could have a group of friends so loyal,helpful and honest as this group of friends. This book gives any small group a very fruitful supply of topics to discuss. You could still be talking about this book months after reading it. I know my small group still refers to some of the characters or conflicts in the book from time to time. In my opinion this is a wonderful relaxing summer read, but an even better group read. Share a good book .

The nugget at the centre of The Bridge Club is in Patricia's last sentence of her Afterword, 'To have a good friend, you must be a good friend.' By learning about an individual hurdle in the lives of each of the eight members of the Bridge Club, and how they were supported by the other seven in their journey over that hurdle and landing on the other side, the reader absorbs a true feeling of the bond that has developed between these women over their forty plus years of friendship. As a reader of a similar age, and one who has experienced more than one, or two, of the hurdles covered, my guess is that this novel will hold plenty of interest for women of any age.
The poignant and controversial hurdle covered in the last chapter is the one I think we all, man or woman, most dread and yet here it is covered with such compassion and friendship amongst these friends that it somehow diminishes that fear. Everyone needs friends like these.
My little missing star is because for me, and completely subjectively and probably because I am impatient, some of the chapters could have had less small detail without losing impact. Otherwise a highly recommended read.

When life throws you a deck of cards it is never really about the hand you're dealt but how you wish to read the cards that counts most in our journey.

What an extraordinary book. From the first word till the last, Ms Sands carry you through the adventures of 8 fabulously wonderful women. These women have been together from the very beginning as bridge partners. They each have their own lives but once under the same roof with the cards dealt in front of them they become a group of friends so tightly entwined that they form their own world.

As I read each amazing story of the individual woman's SOS, I felt I belonged to this group from the beginning. As each woman poured her heart and soul out to the group, I kept waiting for a call, "All for one and one for all!" Each bridge member's lament is universal in nature. There isn't a story that you can't relate to in one-way or another; personally knowing someone you love who is or has struggled with the same challenge or just have heard it through the grapevine. Whatever way you relate to each woman's story, you cannot help but feel compassion and empathy for each situation recalled. I laughed when they laughed, I cried with their tears and my heart ached in rhythm with the group.

Every member of the Bridge Club treats each story told, in its authenticity. Each woman steadfastly remains in her power, never straying from her convictions and beliefs when offering solace for the problem at hand. Every woman had the precious luxury of having 8 sets of shoulders to lean on and 16 hands to help lighten the load of each situation. Every woman in this world would be so lucky to grow old in their journey with such a marvelous support group. And if you are such a lucky lady to be part of a great group of friends, then give each one a gift of a lifetime with this book. They will love you for it.

Ms. Sands formulates her words in such a manner that you are ensconced right into the lives of each woman in the Bridge Club. You will enjoy discovering things out about these characters and yourself when you see how close you can relate to their challenges.

This is a brilliant book and you will adore it from word one till the end. But bring Kleenex, no matter whether you laugh or cry the tears will flow.

I really wanted to like this book, but it's simply not well written. My writing teacher told us again and again to "show" the story, to paint characters with descriptive detail, not to tell their stories. Unfortunately, Sands is telling her characters' stories for them. No imagery and not even very much dialogue. And there is really no bridge in the story; these women could be getting together monthly for a book discussion, a gardening club, or just because. I bought this book on my Kindle, and I wish I could return it.

This is an excellent book that tells the story of a group of women over the years and shows the depth of women's friendships and how uplifting and supportive those friendships can be. In a overly wired world, it's refreshing to know that in the end, it's the personal connections we all have that really matter. It will uplift and inspire you to cherish your family and friends even more. Well worth reading!

The Bridge Club, a novel by Patricia Sands, is one of those books that you treasure while you're reading it and can't wait to share with friends. The lovely story of a forty year friendship among eight women is beautifully written and touches the heart. The problems these women face over the years cover so many issues that women of today are dealing with. Lots of laughs, lots of tears and a book to be remembered long after the ending is reached.

Ms. Sands has a way with words and those words will draw you into her world. Her world is like the glass globes which she describes in the opening pages, where bits of the lives of eight women, swirl, twirl, mingle and at last, settle into a beautiful and finely woven blanket which covers everything. Beneath that blanket are the joys and sorrows of everyday lives and although these are eight stories about eight different women, the bond of friendship which holds them tightly together will inspire you. As the author says, "It was never about the cards", but if you ever need to cross the terrible abyss of one of life's horrible tests than you will want this "Bridge". I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these women. I feel I know them or women like them. I suffered and rejoiced with them. All together a book worth reading and sharing.

This book was worth the read especially in getting to the end. I wasn't expecting that! The eight characters were fun to learn and get to know but felt maybe a story of five or six friends may have been a little easier to keep track of. I did get a little confused from time to time remembering who's story went with which character. Each woman's story all had great meaning though but with less characters I could have formed a deeper relationship and understanding. I did enjoy this book very much and shed alot of tears so have plenty of tissue nearby.

I was a bit reluctant to read this first novel as I don't play bridge and I'm a guy. To me, this book with its partly pink cover looked like a novel exclusively for women. But, I was wrong. Its basic message is friendship and the very strong bond among a group of women, who just happen to play bridge. Patricia has developed strong and very interesting characters, writes beautifully, and has written a novel that is hard to put down. Although her women experience life challenges, such as alcoholism, Internet porn addiction, infidelity, cancer, and terminal illness, I've experienced many of the same concerns among my male friends. As a result, this is a novel that should be read by ANYONE who loves great writing and a "can't-put-down" story! I can't wait to read Patricia's next novel and wish her well.[ASIN:1450241352 The Bridge Club]

This debut novel touches on everything we women love--emotions between friends and family, torment and heartache, and mostly, unending support from women friends. Patricia Sands pulls out all the stops in The Bridge Club, leading the reader on an intimate ride through eight glorious women's lives. If you're looking for a book that will reel you in and keep you hooked, a book about friendships without borders, this is the book for you. Bravo, Patricia. I'll be eagerly awaiting your next book.

[I am transcribing this review on behalf of Holly Mulcahey.]

Here's what I liked about this book: it's jam-packed with minutiae from the 60s and the decades that follow. It's feminist tone was warming to my heart and mind.

What came through to me is that the author had the life experience of supportive friends, the give and take of long-term friendships, which is a huge blessing that not all of us experience.

What I didn't like about the book was its sugary-sweetness. Even the crises were made easy to swallow: there was an undertone of self-congratulation..."we are all such wonderful women we rise to every occasion." I wanted more grit. I wanted to feel the pain/discomfort instead of being told that was what was happening all the time.

Perhaps my negative reaction was simply a personal preference on my part: I don't like cutesy Hallmark cards and this book fell into that realm for me.

--Holly Mulcahey

Luckily for me, I received a free copy of this book to review, because I had a very hard time getting into it.
The writer has a telling or narrator style that made it hard for me to stay interested in the very rambling doings of these women. There was no plot other than how they interacted with each other and how they remained friends through all the changes in their lives.
There were also many gramatical errors and dangling modifiers, some of which were hysterical.

I could not put this book down. I loved the way the author incorporated the lives of the 8 women in the bridge club.
She did it in a most interesting way by having all the "situations" we go through in modern day life.
A really easy read but surely not mindless. I did love it. Kudos to the author!!

A friend from my church brought this book to my attention, I am glad she did. Our small group of friends have enjoyed hours of discussion about this book. This book is about a group of friends, it spands many years and many life challenges. I think this author made these characters very real. I learned a few things about the game bridge through this book. But what I really got from this book is that friends are such a blessing , life is to be shared, and enjoyed. I was very glad the group of us got to share this book.

This book will immediately take you into its spell and keep you reading until the end of the book.
It is so well written and the name of places in Ontario was most appealing and certainly added interest
to the story. Would be a great book club book to share with other girlfriends and they do not even have
to be bridge players.

This is one of my favourite books ever. I immediately felt I was part of the group of friends and I cried, laughed and lived with them. I wanted the book to go on for longer as I wanted to continue with my new found friends.
The story takes you to a problem that we encounter more and more and deals sensibly with all the issues it creates. It does not tell you that there is a right or wrong solution and let's you make up your own mind. Even though the characters are fictional I wanted to hug each one of them at the end of the book.
Since the Bridge Club I got more of Patricia Sands' books and in all of them I made new friends. She is one of the few writers where the book draws you not only into their world but becomes part of your world. I greatly admire this talent and hope for many more books to come.

Eight women have been through 40 years of ups and downs together. Coming together to play bridge and share their successes and turmoils. Each uniquely different to the other but brought together by a sisterhood that was years in the making. From the sixties to present day the women share the time in their lives that the Bridge club held them up when they could have easily fallen. In the end, can friendship be their in the most dire of needs or will the hurt, anger, love and pain pull them apart?

This was a wonderful book. It is so uniquely told. Each chapter is about one specific time in one of the characters lives. This truly illustrates how important friendship is to women. The different times and environments for each of the women telling their story about their biggest issue brought to the Bridge Club will truly bring tears to your eyes. The emotion and pain and love are felt through the pages and will touch the reader thoroughly. In the end, the reader will be left asking one question. I won’t share that but it ends in a mystery of both heartache and sadness. Overall, this book will bring tears to your eyes and love in your heart as you turn the pages. Patricia Sands does an outstanding job illustrating the trials and tribulations women and their friends go through. If you’re looking for a book that completely explains women and how important friendship is for them then you will want to pick this book up.

***Received this book in exchange for an unbiased review***

The Bridge Club by author Patricia Sands is one which will leave you thinking about it long after you put the book down. Eight friends who pledge to help each other as a group when they are young women are now aging and come to the aid of one in need. They have weathered college, dating, careers, families, marriages, children, divorces, death, and all that life can deliver to a diverse group of ladies. Each woman in the BC has a specific story to tell as they travel together for a weekend retreat. The stories will take the reader along the sixty's through the present day and you may find yourself putting on some of your old music to play in the background as these ladies reminisce about the choices they made and how it affected their friendships. Some of it will have you laughing and some may have you shedding tears, but at the ending, you will be stunned and wishing you had a group of friends who would do the very utmost for you in the end. I won't post spoilers, I will let you read it for yourself!
Brilliant and thought-provoking!

Patricia Sands has written a heartwarming and moving novel about eight women who come together in one way or another in their twenties to form a bridge club. Quite quickly, the group becomes more of a sisterhood. One each of them can trust wholeheartedly. One they turn to for friendship, for support, for honesty, for problem solving, but most of all for the bond they have with one another.

They are a diverse group of women who provide multiple perspectives to any issue. Some have similarities in their beliefs, some in their life circumstances, while others have known some since childhood, and some have a slightly stronger bond with another, at the root of it all they are one. As they often say, "one for all and all for one."

The author brings together the long history of these eight women via their own stated most meaningful event where they needed the others moire than at other times in their lives. In telling their stories, the history and point where each character is in their life comes through in the telling. The reader never feels they don't get a full picture of the main characters SOS, as they call it, while also being provided with knowledge of the other women's role or life circumstance at the time.

You will come to love these women, empathize with them, relate to them, see yourself or your best friend or the woman next door in them. You will cherish their stories, the life lessons they pass along, and who each character really is at heart. But most of all, you will honor, respect, and cherish their deep seated sisterhood.

Rating: 4.7