What is it in a story that takes it to the New York Times Best Seller List for three years or 156 weeks? When I read this book, that was what I wanted to know. I look at the book on the shelf and think, "What was there that I just did not get?"

The love story set in the 1960s is about Robert Kincaid, a renowned photographer, and a Francesca Johnson, a farm wife. The story is based on her diaries and the personal effects he had sent to her after he died.

She is secluded and alone much of the time. When Robert comes to photograph the bridges, her family is away at the state fair. They are, like Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers who will only remain in each other's hearts and minds for all of their life, though they only shared four days. Her diaries indicate that for about thirty years Francesca maintained the emotional contact she committed to Kincaid by seeing his photography in National Geography, news clippings, and reading the articles written about him.

It is easy to be in love for four days. Anyone can. New love is exciting, romance is thrilling, and a new lover's touch is magical. Yes, it will last forever -- if you do not have to wake up to reality. It was simple to see this aspect of the enchantment about their story. Francesca wrote of the agony that she felt when choosing whether to go with Kincaid or stay with her family, her children. This was the crux of her story; stay with her husband and children, or run off with a stranger.

I could never understand that, my child is first. Today the book is on my daughter's shelf, and she knows more about the emotions that drove Kincaid and Francesca than I ever will. I am too practical; but she tells me I have never loved as they did -- and she just might be right because I still wonder why this book sold millions. Suspend disbelief and enjoy the romantic interlude.

Perhaps I should have seen the movie (I am a Clint Eastwood fan). For me the book was worth three stars, but the millions of people who loved this book and movie cannot all be wrong, so it must be a five. I guess I will give it a four.

Victoria Tarrani

from Amazon.com