Pulitzer Prize Fiction Winner
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
by Thornton Wilder
Summary
Set in 18th-century Peru, the novel explores why five strangers were killed when a rope bridge collapsed, using a monk's investigation to ask whether there is a divine plan for human life.
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Historical Context & Significance
A massive departure from the previous "American" winners; its philosophical depth made it a global sensation and it remains a staple of high school literature.