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Jim Nelson
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Bridge Daughter: Book One of the Bridge Daughter Cycle Kindle Edition

by Jim Nelson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 323 ratings
A world where daughters bear their parents' children.

Young Hanna thinks her thirteenth birthday will be no different than the one before--until her mother explains the facts of life. Hanna is a "bridge daughter," born pregnant with her parents' child. In a few months she will give birth and die, leaving her parents with their true child to raise.

A mature bookworm who dreams of college and career, Hanna is determined to overcome her biological fate. Navigating through a world eerily like our own, she confronts unyielding attitudes and instinctive fears as old as humankind itself.

Then Hanna learns of an illegal procedure that will allow her to live to adulthood...at the cost of the child's life.

"Nelson smoothly realizes a provocative alternate present seen through the eyes of naive adolescent Hanna Driscoll ... Hanna is an engaging protagonist, and her thought-provoking story blends action, introspection, and social commentary in a stark but indirect critique of efforts to control female bodies and restrict reproductive rights." - Publishers Weekly
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  1. Reading age
    11 - 18 years
  2. Book 1 of 3
    The Bridge Daughter Cycle
  3. Print length
    220 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    February 11, 2018
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0990480242
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bridge Daughter is the sort of surprising gem in a sea of fairly ordinary you occasionally run across as a reader of contemporary speculative fiction--smart, highly original, and emotionally brutal. It's a book that, like Ursula LeGuin's "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" or Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, tweaks a single seemingly ordinary aspect of the human condition in order to imagine the terrible possibilities hidden inside all of us, and it does it so compellingly that the story lingers long after the book is done." - John Blair, author of Bright Angel and American Standard

"Nelson smoothly realizes a provocative alternate present seen through the eyes of naive adolescent Hanna Driscoll ... Hanna is an engaging protagonist, and her thought-provoking story blends action, introspection, and social commentary in a stark but indirect critique of efforts to control female bodies and restrict reproductive rights." - Publishers Weekly

"A very good book--in the vein of The Handmaid's Tale without being derivative of it." - Paul Ridge, Fictive

"A strong character, I found myself sympathizing with Hanna and rooting for her until the very end." - The Hungry Bookworm

About the Author

Jim Nelson's books include Bridge Daughter (Kindle Press, 2016), Stranger Son, and In My Memory Locked. He divides his time between San Francisco and Tokyo.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B079R8G8VT
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 11, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 220 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0990480242
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 3 ‏ : ‎ The Bridge Daughter Cycle
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 11 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 323 ratings

About the author

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Jim Nelson

Jim Nelson

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Jim Nelson's books include Bridge Daughter (Kindle Press, 2016), Stranger Son, and In My Memory Locked. His latest is A Man Named Baskerville. All are available at Amazon.com.

He divides his time between San Francisco and Tokyo.

https://j-nelson.net

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
323 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book compelling and thought-provoking, praising its original plot and stylistic prose. They describe it as a captivating tale that's poignantly beautiful and unique, with good character development. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it fast-paced while others describe it as weird. The ending receives criticism for being too sad and ending abruptly.

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49 customers mention "Readability"49 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and thought-provoking, describing it as an absolute must-read with a compelling concept.

"...The premise of bridge daughters is a really thought-provoking, compelling concept and I think the author presents a believable portrait of the..." Read more

"...it was an emotional journey through the book but it was also fairly thought provoking...." Read more

"...Bridge Daughter is a thought provoking and nuanced book...." Read more

"...Both of us enjoyed it greatly. I found it a clever way to discuss pro-life/pro-choice issues, and women's oppression as baby makers without..." Read more

32 customers mention "Story quality"29 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's story captivating and believable, with an original plot. One customer describes it as an ambitious psychological thriller.

"...compelling concept and I think the author presents a believable portrait of the psychological and cultural consequences that might result from that..." Read more

"Bridge Daughter is a very unique and original story...." Read more

"...It's as if the book straddles fantasy and reality. I appreciated the parallels to our universe, what it says about life and death, and ultimately,..." Read more

"This is such an interesting and imaginative story. I completely surprised by it (in a good way). I can't say I've ever read anything quite like it...." Read more

31 customers mention "Writing quality"27 positive4 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its stylistic prose and well-edited text, with one customer highlighting its reimagining of childbirth.

"...normally skip out too when I see that designation but this is well written with nuance and empathy and will appeal to adult readers as well...." Read more

"...The book was well written and easy to read from that point but it was an emotional journey through the book but it was also fairly thought provoking...." Read more

"...Wonderfully written and engaging. A captivating tale. Though this can be read as a stand alone novel, it is part of a series...." Read more

"...I am giving it two stars because it held my attention, and the writing isn't poor. But I am sad that I took the time to anticipate reading this story." Read more

12 customers mention "Aesthetic"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book aesthetically pleasing, describing it as poignantly beautiful and unique, with one customer noting the skillful use of flower symbolism throughout.

"Bridge Daughter is a very unique and original story...." Read more

"...I also found the flower symbolism throughout skillful...." Read more

"The premise of the story was really interesting and unique. It certainly makes you think about love, children, and morality...." Read more

"...Nelson resists genre categories with elegant, stylistic prose that tells the story of thirteen-year-old Hanna, who lives a “normal” life with her..." Read more

9 customers mention "Character development"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning the hope for the protagonist in peril and another noting the realistic portrayal of everyday people.

"...but what I really appreciated were the depictions of everyday people, somewhere in the middle, trying to wrestle with the ethics,..." Read more

"...It is a story with great and believable characters in a very unbelievable (or maybe not) situation. A book you will appreciate...." Read more

"...The depth of the cast of characters, shone through in each and every one. This book asks some very deep and profound questions...." Read more

"...Glad i did! Loved many of the characters - despised the rest, but they completely deserved it!..." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it fast-paced while others describe it as weird.

"This book was easy but at the same time hard to read...." Read more

"...As best I can remember his comments, my friend found it dark/noir, strange, full of twists and turns so he didn't know how it would turn out right..." Read more

"...Bridge Daughter is a thought provoking and nuanced book. It's pacing is a delight -- I found myself eager to find out what was going to happen next..." Read more

"Such an interesting story line. Needless to say i finished it fast. Lost sleep time. That good. Looking forward now to next book!..." Read more

26 customers mention "Ending"7 positive19 negative

Customers find the ending of the book too sad and unexpectedly abrupt.

"...Do not expect this to be a happy book though as it was fairly sad and depressing. I would give it a 4.5 rating but since i can't 4 will do...." Read more

"...What is hard to imagine is the ending of the story. It ends abruptly and we have no idea what happens. It feels unfinished...." Read more

"...Dreams of Barbecuing People" made me laugh out loud, this one brought me to tears...." Read more

"...live up to its promise, devolving into what amounts to a depressing abortion fairy tale that genuinely offers no redeeming value with its..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Heather F.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, empathetic treatment of a compelling premise
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of those books I can’t get out of my head, where I found myself thinking about it not only while I was reading it but even days and weeks later. The premise of bridge daughters is a really thought-provoking, compelling concept and I think the author presents a believable portrait of the psychological and cultural consequences that might result from that kind of biological situation. Not only how there would be conservative traditionalists and radical underground movements in response (and we get to see a bit of both in the text) but what I really appreciated were the depictions of everyday people, somewhere in the middle, trying to wrestle with the ethics, traditions, social implications and harsh biological reality of bridge daughters in their lives. From the protagonist’s mother trying to juggle on one hand more “progressive” beliefs of giving her bridge daughter more privileges than tradition would dictate with a very real desire on the other hand to protect the unborn child that that bridge daughter is carrying, to the other mother who treats her bridge daughter to spa treatments and fancy clothes but won’t tell her the truth of her situation, to the camp folks who clearly recognize and respect the humanity of the bridge daughters but preach acceptance for the way life is…I felt these were all understandable, believable, and very human reactions and ways of coping that people might have in such a reality.

    Don’t let the YA label scare you away, I normally skip out too when I see that designation but this is well written with nuance and empathy and will appeal to adult readers as well. This one will stick with you and make you think. Definitely recommend.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Katie Bargainer
    4.0 out of 5 stars well written, thought provoking but sad
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book was easy but at the same time hard to read. The book was well written and easy to read from that point but it was an emotional journey through the book but it was also fairly thought provoking. I do not want to spoil the book for anyone wanting to read it so will keep this short. The book is set in an alternative world. The story is all about a 13 year old "bridge daughter" who has to grapple with some really adult concepts.
    The story of the book was completely different than other books I've read which was nice. Do not expect this to be a happy book though as it was fairly sad and depressing.
    I would give it a 4.5 rating but since i can't 4 will do. Its good enough for a 5 with the topics it covers and the way its written but it was to depressing for me to give it a 5.
    One person found this helpful
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  • LilMissMolly
    3.0 out of 5 stars Very unique story!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Bridge Daughter is a very unique and original story. The premise is basically that most women do not give birth to their own children, but rather, they give birth to bridge daughters who are born pregnant with the parents’ "real" child. These daughters are just like normal children until their pregnancy suddenly becomes apparent at about the age 13. It doesn't take much to imagine that the main character in this story doesn't want to have her parents' baby and instead wants to go to college and live her own life (bridge daughters die after giving birth). What is hard to imagine is the ending of the story. It ends abruptly and we have no idea what happens. It feels unfinished. Hopefully it is not going to be a trilogy. I received a copy of this ebook as part of the kindle scout program.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Laura
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Paced, Thought Provoking and Poetic!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I saw the reviews and decided to pick it up before hopping on a cross country flight -- boy am I glad I did. Bridge Daughter is a thought provoking and nuanced book. It's pacing is a delight -- I found myself eager to find out what was going to happen next and tore through the book in a few hours. Jim Nelson seems to take us down one path, but then we see the story shift, and the reader is left hungry to learn more about our heroine. I loved seeing how the characters developed as we began to learn more about them through the eyes of Hanna. Up until the end, I wasn't sure where he was going to lead us, and I found the ending to be absolute poetry. So much so, that I couldn't stop hysterically crying on the flight as I read the last page!

    The world Nelson describes is very much like our own, but with on key difference (which I will not spoil) that allows this book dip its toe into the world of fantasy, while making it seems quite realistic. It's as if the book straddles fantasy and reality. I appreciated the parallels to our universe, what it says about life and death, and ultimately, the meaning of sacrifice.

    If you're looking for run of the mill commercial fiction, this will absolutely disappoint. If, however, you enjoyed the Handmaid's Tale, or works by Margaret Atwood, I'd suggest picking this up. Nelson's style reminded me greatly of her.

    It's a relatively quick read, and I think there's a lot more that could be explored in the world Nelson sets up. I'd be interested to read more about this world and its characters.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • L O
    5.0 out of 5 stars I have not had such a visceral reaction to a ...
    Reviewed in Canada on March 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have not had such a visceral reaction to a book in such a long time. Well written and thought provoking as well. I just purchased Hagar's Daughter and can't wait to read it.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars beautifully written and achingly sad
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Unique, beautifully written and achingly sad. A tale I won't forget. I'm not going to say too much more as I don't want to accidentally give out spoilers. Im not sure if this is classed as dystopian or speculative fiction or maybe both, but I do know I love both genres and enjoyed this story very much. I would recommend it.
    Report
  • Diane Balser
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really super read.
    Reviewed in Canada on January 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Thought provoking and hard to put down once you start. Well written with a genuinely novel plot. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Can't wait to read Hagar's Mother.
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  • sally
    5.0 out of 5 stars wow!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is very well written, the author takes you on an emotional journal, that touches your soul.
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