Pierre BoulleThe Bridge Over the River Kwai: A Novel

Came as promised and is physically as advertised, but is actually a pretty short book (larger than usual type and margins). While well written, I found it underwhelming and a case where perhaps the movie is better. Still I feel I understand, and can empathize, with why Col. Nicholson built the bridge over the river Kwai and it is an interesting character study and (frequently racist, as was the times) interesting prose about the differences between British and Japanese approaches to empire and life.

In aller Kuerze, die Geschichte, um nicht mehr über den Inhalt des Buches zu verraten, setzt sich aus zwei Handlungen zusammen:1) Englische Soldaten, die in japanische Gefangenschaft geraten, werden dazu getrieben, eine Bruecke ueber Kwai zu erbauen.2) Ein Sprengkommando aus dem englischen Hauptquartier, strebt selbstverstaendlich danach diese Bruecke nicht entstehen zu lassen.Waehrend des Brueckenbaus, streben die Gefangenen (oder viel mehr ihr Colonel Nicholson) hoechste Pedanterie und Perfektion an, um eben in Gefangenschaft "ihre intelektuelle und arbeitsmoralische Ueberlegenheit" zu demonstrieren. Fuer den Anfuehrer des Sprengkommandos hingegen, ist die vollstaendige und reibungslose Zerstoerung der Bruecke, samt Konvoi, gleich am ersten Tag der Inbetriebnahme die hoechste Praemisse. Beide Lager arbeiten akribisch, und am Tag der Sprengung kommt es zum Hoehepunkt, jedoch nicht mit einer Wendung, die man erwarten durfte, sondern mit einer die in die Kategorie faellt "Wenn alles perfekt erscheint, stimmt meistens etwas nicht".Stilistisch sehr geradlinig, humorvoll, ohne Abschweifungen, mit relativ schnellem Fortschritt und einem Finale ala "Planet der Affen", unerwartet, dramatisch und alles ueber den Haufen werfend. Alles zusammen, ein sehr empfehlenswerter Klassiker!

ビルマとタイを結んだ泰緬鉄道の現場を訪ねるときの参考に原書を読んでみたかった。

I wanted to know how much of this book was based on fact so I looked it up before starting my review - I felt it was important that I knew how much was fiction. In terms of writing a good book, Pierre Boulle succeeded; in terms of writing an accurate depiction of what the prisoners of war experienced when building this particular bridge, he failed. As I've written in many of my reviews I enjoy learning through fiction, but I did enjoy this book regardless of how little of the story is based on fact; it was a good read but I do have two issues with it...1. The Japanese were made out to be incredibly uneducated, which I don't believe they were at this time. The Japanese during the Second World War committed some awful things, but I don't think we can deny that they were an intelligent army.2. I doubt the British would have wanted to aid any of their enemies like they ended up doing in this story; I truly believe that a lot of our soldiers would have given their life to avoid aiding the people they were fighting against and being held prisoner by.But I want to counter those with things that I did enjoy about the book;1. MO Clipton's sarcasm made me laugh and definitely made the book enjoyable.2. The descriptions of the states of the prisoners was well done and truly turned my stomach at times. Although the prisoners in the story still managed to somehow build the bridge, the parts that described how unwell they were was written with great consideration and honesty. The cruelness of situations like the ones in this book was definitely focused on at times and for that I can't fault Boulle.3. I may not have learnt much fact from this book, but I did enjoy reading it and I was eager to know what was going to happen - especially at the end. The writing was also of a very high quality.

This short novel carries a powerful punch. The British Colonel Nicholson is the exemplary solider; he is the epitome of courage, leadership, hard work and determination. These ideals become tangible when the construction for a bridge begins and Nicholson and his troops are required to build it in a Japanese labor camp.The novel is truly constructed from two different points of view: the labor camp with the construction of the bridge and the covert operation lead to destroy it. The narrative flips between Nicholson commanding his soldiers to work feverishly to finish the bridge to utmost perfection and a covert operation that is trying to blow it up. This leads to a beautiful narration technique as one side is putting their heart in soul to destroy the very thing the other group is building with the same fervent passion - even though they are both on the same side. This leads to an enticing climax that gripped me until the end.The books ending, which probably won't be that satisfying for most, does create a conflict between the ideals that everyone tries to be, things like determined, having integrity or prideful, and how they can actually make people lose sight of the main goal. A delightful read that I would suggest.