Bridge: Grieving Daughter Faces Parallel Worlds

Bridge
Speculative Fiction, Thriller, Coming-of-Age, Hard Sci-Fi
Mulholland Books

A universe-hopping thriller that explores the depths of its subject without losing its breakneck pace.

The Plot

Bridget “Bridge” loses her mother, Jo, first to a psychotic break, then finally to the brain cancer that’s plagued her for years. As she tries to make sense of the things her mother left behind, she finds a mysterious “dreamworm” in Jo’s freezer. A half-remembered childhood of Bridge eating pieces of the dreamworm with her mother and “dreaming” about other realities suddenly resurfaces. A web of parallel universes, which she had convinced herself she’d imagined, suddenly opens up for her to explore. Her search for meaning after the loss of her mysterious mother suddenly gets a lot bigger, and there seems to be a possibility that she will find more than just answers. Is her mother out there somewhere, hiding among the worlds?

This is my first novel by South African author Lauren Beukes, though it appears she’s written quite the eclectic collection. In Beukes’ capable hands, her version of a multiverse, with its esoteric rules and creepy yellow worms, becomes amazingly accessible. I personally never had trouble following the story. This is a huge accomplishment, considering Bridge jumps between parallel universes, time periods, and points of view as it’s title character labors to reconstruct both her own repressed memories and her mother’s mysterious past. Beukes expertly unravels the plot and slowly reveals the full extent of the story’s intricate layers, keeping the reader’s understanding in lockstep with Bridge’s own discoveries.

Major Themes

The novel delves into themes of ambition, desire and privilege. The dreamworms—addictive, unsettling creatures—embody the allure of other versions of reality, where one might find richer, more successful, or more fulfilled versions of themselves. This temptation, to reach for a life that might be “better” in some way, is a subtle undercurrent throughout the story, one that affects the characters in a variety of compelling and believable ways. I was reminded of Jordan Peele’s 2019 film Us, which explores the horrors of being replaced by a jealous doppelganger, balanced with the equally horrific understanding that privilege and fulfilment are often determined by chance.

The Characters

My typical review usually includes a detailed, multi-paragraph analysis of the story’s major characters, but that seems like dangerous, spoiler-prone territory in a narrative centered around uncovering identity. All I will say is that I really enjoyed getting to know the many characters in this story. Bridge and her mother have complex inner and outer lives. Additionally, Beukes thoughtfully explores a nonbinary character, offering a portrayal that is sensitive and enriching to the narrative. Amid a multi-layered tapestry of antagonists, Bridge also presents a terrifying villain whose complexities push the story into darker, more thrilling territory. Strangely sympathetic, this villain illuminates yet another dimension (pardon the pun) of the physical and ethical dangers of traveling between realities.

A Note on the Audiobook

Narrator Lisa Cordileone does a great job navigating this eclectic story, capably bringing complex exposition and a long list of characters to life. I found the audiobook to be well performed, directed and edited, with no distracting issues in any particular area. Cordileone, overall, nails her characterizations, including a few tricky dialects, making her performance an immersive treat for the ears.

Who Would Enjoy This?

 If you’re a fan of mind-bending stories that use distorted realities to explore the complexities of our own world, Bridge is definitely for you. Beukes crafts a narrative that is both thrilling and thoughtful, pulling readers through layers of mystery and existential questions. If you enjoy stories that blur the lines between science fiction, fantasy, and psychological depth, with a dose of dark and intriguing characters, you’ll find this novel gripping. Personally, I found Bridge absolutely captivating, and I think others who appreciate a deep, speculative journey will feel the same way.

Where to Find the Book

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