The Other Side of the Bridge

The Other Side of the Bridge is the second novel by Canadian novelist Mary Lawson. It became a bestseller in Canada, and was longlisted for The Booker Prize. Plot summary As with her first novel, Crow Lake, the setting is Northern Ontario. It is the mid 1930s and Arthur and Jake, the sons of a farmer vie for the affections of Laura, a newcomer to the community. A generation later, Ian the son of the local doctor becomes obsessed with Arthur's wife... Characters Major characters Arthur Dunn: Protagonist for even-numbered chapters. Big, heavy, slow, sloping shoulders, neck like an ox, broad meaty feet. Doesn't like school, thinks it's useless. Gets rejected from going to war because of flat feet. Implied he dies in the epilogue. He falls in love with Laura and marries her and raises a child that is not his but his brother's. Jake Dunn: Wheat-colored hair, triangular face, Arthur's brother. Excels at school and women. Four years younger than Arthur. Falls off the bridge in Chapter 4. Has a permanent limp after. Ian Christopherson: Protagonist for odd-numbered chapters. Dr. Christopherson's son. Expected to be the next doctor. Has a perverted love for Laura, going as far as getting a job at Arthur's farm to get closer to her. Laura Dunn: Reverend March's daughter. Comes with him when he comes to take over for Reverend Gordon. Falls in love with Jake and gets pregnant with his child resulting in Arthur marrying her to avert her crisis.