The Bridges of Madison County fantasy in which a virile stranger materializes in the kitchen of a quiet housewife and takes her into his arms." The book debuted on the "New York Times" bestseller list in August 1992 and slowly climbed to number 1, and remained on the list for over three years (164 consecutive weeks), through October 8, 1995. "The Bridges of Madison County" was made into a 1995 film of the same name, adapted by Richard LaGravenese and directed by Clint Eastwood. It stars Eastwood and Meryl Streep. "The Bridges of Madison County" was adapted into a Tony Award-winning musical with music and
The Bridges of Madison County "The New York Times", Brigitte Weeks said that "Bridges" had appealed to "middle-aged, world-weary people" in a manner similar to the writings of James A. Michener, though it features more sexuality than Michener's books. "The Bridges of Madison County" received multiple comparisons to Erich Segal's "Love Story" (1970) for its plot and prose. For "Rolling Stone", Peter Travers said that Waller's prose was modeled on Walt Whitman's work, but instead resembled a greeting card. Travers also said that "Bridges" exists within a tradition of "great romantic crocks" like Pat Conroy's "The Prince of Tides" (1986). "The New York Times Magazine"