The Bridge

Ten Thousand Words or Less, Book 7

By: Justin M. Johnson

Narrated by: Tom Jordan

The Mid-Metro Bridge is known by just one moniker nowadays: The Bridge. And everyone knows it. It's the place where people go to jump. But the Mayor has other ideas. Will it be enough? Or will it be too much?

©2017 Justin M. Johnson (P)2017 Justin M. Johnson and CCS Publishing

Unexpectedly heavy

Any additional comments?

It's surprising that a story about a suicide bridge was even more thought provoking than I'd expected. Surprising because my expectations were already high, so exceeding them wasn't easy.

The story starts off wonderfully engaging. Just enough details to keep it realistic. It dulls a bit in the middle with far too much conversational exposition for a short story, but the end more than makes up for it.

The ending left me with a tangle of morality questions. There's a lot to think about regarding the martyr's intentions. And about whether or not the ends justify the means. Beyond her ambiguous intentions, the actual ripple effect and potential alternative endings will keep my brain buzzing.

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

A striking short-story that tackles some big ideas

The Bridge is a striking short-story that tackles some big ideas. Decisively written and brilliantly narrated by Tom Jordan, I felt the “grit” of city life and the mystique of an unknown vigilante organizing the public in an underground movement. The story culminates in a profound ending that asks some of life’s larger questions about civic responsibility and its relationship to basic human rights. A thought-provoking story and enjoyable listen.