Between the Bridge and the River

I'm not a huge Craig Ferguson fan (I prefer Conan O'Brien's brand of late night fun), but I have to admit, this novel is outstanding. It is witty, incisive and worldly wise. Ferguson does what many novelists find difficult -- he combines humor with insight to give us a layered and satisfying novel about love and loss, corruption and faith. You will laugh out loud and gain a further appreciation for Ferguson's intelligence along the way. A must read.

I couldn't help hearing Ferguson's voice in my head as I read this book. Smart, droll, and surreal, this delightful romp is full of literary and historical references. By page 60, I was telling all my friends to read this book.

This book is a great read, if you don't take yourself too seriously. It is witty and comical, however, it contains some graphic sexual descriptions, which some may find a bit over the top. I enjoyed the book and in fact hated to see the story(ies) end. It is a mixture of comedy and tragedy all rolled into one. The characters will grow on you, even if in the beginning you're not sure you like them. I'm not sure how Mr. Ferguson brought it all together, but he did. I think Steve Martin would probably describe it as "a wild & crazy read."

I loved this book. Ferguson is a talented comedic voice who must be well educated and well traveled. As advertised, the book is an adventure in the sacred and the profane. And damned funny (obviously "damned" too, if you are an easily offended Christian). I am recommending it to all my most open-minded friends.

Actor/Comedian/Talk Show Host Craig Ferguson has published a novel, Between the Bridge and the River. It is very, very good. It tells the stories of two friends, Fraser and Paul, who grow up together then drift apart in Glasgow in the `70s. The city of their childhood is a rough and dangerous place, but despite it all both manage to achieve a measure of success in their fields which enables them to rise above their economic origins. Fraser becomes a televangelist who indulges in every vice available to him; George takes a more mundane career, a relatively stable home life and possibly terminal cancer. Both are deeply unsatisfied with their lives, and about a third of the way through the book both are forced to do something about it.

Ferguson's book is structured like one of Tom Robbins'; that is, the bare bones of a plot exists so the author can expound on the deeper meanings of life, the universe and everything. There's a lot of stand-up comedian in this book, a lot of "did you ever notice that...", but it works in the context of the story Ferguson's telling. He stops the story occasionally in order to tell a smaller story, such as the one about the battle-weary soldier of the Crusades who makes a life with the feared crone of a Spanish village. It's a beautiful story. Next time you find yourself in a bookstore soon, pick this one up and just read the ten or so pages that comprise the segment. It begins on page 143.

Late, late night funny man, Craig Ferguson, reveals a different side in this very entertaining book. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a light hearted, cheerful read. I hope Mr. Ferguson does not give up his "night job" but does find time to continue writing. Yes, it's that good!

Very, very enjoyable. The story is just complex enough to be intriguing, but is a quick read. It's witty and often subtly (and not-so-subtly) sarcastic. In places it is also jarringly crude & gritty; but all in keeping with the characters & underlying storyline. I really enjoyed the convoluted flow of the story and the fated, interwoven lives of the characters.

In this book, as in his comedy, Craig Ferguson can be a keen storyteller. He often veils his message with a nudge-and-a-wink.....he likes to make you work for it. The result is satisfying & entertaining and gives one a peek at the well-read, rapier-witted thinker behind the cheeky-monkey facade.

I look forward to more of his fiction writing.

Craig Ferguson's Between the Bridge and the River has got to be the greatest literary work in recent years. The only other time I felt so deeply impacted by a book was after I read Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses over a decade ago. I remember back then not wanting to touch another book for months, just to be able to take in, digest and make the book my own. I felt the same way having read Craig's novel. It's an entirely unique and original work, and yet it invites a comparison with Satanic Verses in that, despite being completely irreverent and totally atheistic, it is nevertheless a deeply spiritual book. If you want to know what great literature is about, and if you need a companion in this post-9/11 ethical and spiritual quandary, do yourself a favor: please please please buy and read this book. You too, ladies...

Never watched the Drew Carey show and had no real knowledge of Mr. Ferguson - but reading this, after it came to paperback and I had heard a few good reviews(briefly)....it was like watching an assumedly blank supermodel suddenly explain quantum physics. I guess I am mean at heart, but I did not expect this brilliance from an actor. Actually, quantum physics is a bit like the bones of this book - asking what is the fundamental nature of the universe and finding it to be much different than the world we see.

It's about redemption, love...and very very well done. Funny and vulgar (in a good sense) Wanted to restart the book after I finished it.

Stunning. You go up on the favorites shelf, Mr. Ferguson. Quit the day job.

I've been plugging away at this book for a while now, and I don't get it. What am I missing? I love Craig Ferguson - I think he's hilarious. But he's written this book that is also supposed to be hilarious, and I am halfway through it and can't figure out what it's about. I'm rating it pretty high just because I love the guy who wrote it, but in all honesty I am not finding it to be a page-turner. Maybe I'll have a better review to share once I've finished it. If I ever do.