The Broken Bridge

A Christian Allegory

Christian - Fiction
181 Pages
Reviewed on 08/04/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Keana Sackett-Moomey for Readers' Favorite

The Broken Bridge by Mike Cleveland tells an evocative story about rebuilding connections and the challenges we sometimes face when trying to achieve unity. Fidel is a young man living in Eastlight, whereas his beloved Verita resides in Westshore. Both communities are connected by the Great Bridge, a large structure that joins their separate shores. Fidel and Verita are eager to get married, but when a terrifying earthquake destroys the Great Bridge, their two communities are separated. Years later, builders enter their communities to reconstruct the bridge and develop a way to restore communication. They propose different strategies, such as legalism and overreliance on knowledge, to restore order. A different kind of builder arrives, offering sacrificial love. Will Eastlight and Westshore ever be reunited again?

The Broken Bridge is Christian allegorical fiction that explores central themes of division, unity, deliverance, and sacrificial love. The world-building is immersive and rich. Everything in this book is specifically designed to encourage deep thought and reflection. The symbolic objects, community customs, and character names all have profound meanings and play a crucial role in portraying the book's deep moral and spiritual concepts. I admire how Mike Cleveland weaves together theology, symbolic narrative, romance, and the limitations that arise from misguided thinking to create a unique and inspirational novel. Overall, this novel is a compelling reminder that harmony is gained only through love, mutual support, and understanding. If you're a fan of Christian narratives that celebrate spiritual restoration and hope, this is the perfect book for you.

Ibrahim Aslan

Mike Cleveland's The Broken Bridge revolves around a majestic bridge that represents the bond between two communities separated by a river. At the center of this story is Fidel, a man who was excited to marry his beloved Verita many years ago. But when he approached the Great Bridge on the day of their wedding, his dreams were shattered by an unexpected earthquake. This catastrophic event caused the bridge to collapse, leaving two devastated and socially fractured communities behind. Fortunately, Fidel and Verita found a way to maintain communication over the years, despite the great divide that separated their communities. Then came the day when several builders with differing ideologies came to help the two communities restore their broken bridge. In light of their many failures, Geshriel, a compassionate builder, emerges as a symbol of selflessness and love. Can he successfully help these two communities reconnect?

The Broken Bridge by Mike Cleveland is a heartfelt Christian narrative that beautifully portrays complex human themes, such as social division, self-sacrifice, reconciliation, and redemption. Mike ingeniously uses the Great Bridge to represent the fragility behind human relationships and the Christian narrative of failure and eventual absolution. Geshriel offers a compelling metaphorical characterization of Jesus Christ and his commitment to saving two fragmented communities through his ultimate act of love. As the story gradually unfolds, the overall thematic statement becomes clear: redemption can never be achieved through complicated rituals or false perfection, but only through genuine acts of kindness. By and large, this profound tale is deeply rooted in collective support and shared challenges. Ultimately, The Broken Bridge is a thought-provoking and uplifting story that highlights the true significance of human connection and the power of love. I highly recommend reading it.

Frank Mutuma

In The Broken Bridge by Mike Cleveland, the Great Bridge is not merely a crossing but a living heart where two communities could become one. Fidel and Verita are lovers, but they live on opposite sides of this marvelous bridge. On many nights, Verita and Fidel communicate using different light signals that they both understand. As things unfold, the bridge that connects both communities breaks down on their wedding day after a horrible earthquake. The earthquake causes a lot of suffering, and Fidel is frustrated after thinking that his beloved is dead. Verita is not dead, and eventually, the community embarks on rebuilding this important bridge. The journey of rebuilding is not easy, as many of those entrusted with the project have different plans and believe in different things. How will things turn out?

The Broken Bridge by Mike Cleveland is wonderfully written and takes the reader on a gripping journey filled with unexpected directions and moral dilemmas. The themes covered, such as perseverance and patience, will resonate with many readers. The writing is engaging and filled with well-crafted dialogue that brings the story and the well-developed characters to life. This thought-provoking work got me thinking about hope, the importance of not giving up, and evaluating our beliefs. The plot flows seamlessly, leaving no room for confusion, and the reader will also appreciate the vivid descriptions of events, which help create a mental picture of what is happening. This was a good read, and I look forward to reading something else by Mike Cleveland.