Robert James Waller ​

Robert James Waller was an American author best known for his novel "The Bridges of Madison County", which became a bestseller and was adapted into a highly successful film. His other works include "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze" and "Border Music".

Quick Facts ​

• Best known for his novel "The Bridges of Madison County," which spent over three years on the New York Times bestseller list.
• His work has been translated into over 40 languages.
• His novel "The Bridges of Madison County" was made into a 1995 film of the same name starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood and was later adapted into a musical.
• Two of his other novels, "Puerto Vallarta Squeeze" and "Border Music," have also been optioned for film adaptations.

Background ​

Waller was born in 1939 in Rockford, Iowa. He studied at the University of Northern Iowa and Indiana University, eventually receiving his doctorate in business. He was a professor at the University of Northern Iowa for years before he started writing full-time. His first novel, The Bridges of Madison County, was published in 1992 and became a bestseller. The novel was adapted into a movie in 1995, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Meryl Streep. He wrote several other books in his lifetime but none achieved the same level of success as The Bridges of Madison County. Waller died in 2017 in Texas, at the age of 77.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Waller's writing style is typically characterized by its delicate, descriptive prose, creating a sense of romance and nostalgia. His most famous novel, "The Bridges of Madison County," is known for its insightful depiction of middle-aged love and longing. While his work has been criticized for its sentimentality, it has nevertheless struck a chord with readers, contributing significantly to the genre of romantic fiction.

Notable Works ​

• The Bridges of Madison County (1992)
• Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend (1993)
• Puerto Vallarta Squeeze (1995)
• A Thousand Country Roads (2002)