The Bridge of San Luis Rey
Thornton Wilder
119 pages
An ancient bridge collapses over a gorge in Peru, hurling five people into the abyss. It seems a meaningless human tragedy. But one witness, a Franciscan monk, believes the deaths might not be as random as they appear. Convinced that the disaster is a punishment sent from Heaven, the monk sets out to discover all he can about the travellers. The five strangers were connected in some way, he thinks. There must be a purpose behind their deaths. But are their lost lives the result of sin? ... Or of love?
It's a beautiful book that explores the various kinds of love people have for each other and offers a thought-provoking perspective on living with or without purpose.