In this strange book, a bridge collapses in 18th century Peru. The focus is on the lives of the five people who die, which, according to the author is trying to answer the question: “Is there a direction and meaning in lives beyond the individual’s own will?”
This is hardly a burning question, you don’t need a whole book, answer is clearly no.
In any case it won the Pulitzer in 1929, showing people had some very different concerns back in the day. That said, it does have some gorgeous bizarre writing. I know Thornton Wilder as the writer of the exceedingly sweet, very American, and rather wonderful play OUR TOWN. Clearly I had no idea of the scope of his interests, because this one is a real wild ride through metaphysics, South America, twins, nuns, and smallpox ridden actresses.