Memories of Madison County: The True Story of My Romance With Robert James Waller

by Jana St. James

Describes the author's college love affair with married graduate student Robert James Waller, describing the growth of their relationship, the end of the affair with the pregnancy of Waller's wife, and her struggle to cope with the despair that followed. Read by Jana St. James. Simultaneous.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Romance

Audio Cassette

First published November 1, 1995

Reviews

[Samantha Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the Bridges of Madison County when it was a best seller. It's the only book I've read more than once. I loved the book and liked the movie. I found Memories of Madison County at Barnes and Noble when it was first released 1995. There were only 3 copies. I was intrigued and wanted to buy it but decided not to at that time. When I went back to get it, it was no longer available. I've thought about this book, often curious about the story that inspired a book I loved so much. I remembered the name of the book, the pink cover, and even the picture on the front. Out of curiosity, I searched on Amazon and found it for $3.29 (it was published 30 years ago). I paid priority shipping to get it quick. You can tell the author really loved Robert James Waller during their time together. However, I liked him a little less after reading it. 💔 I am glad she told her story. The excitement of being drawn to someone and the whirlwind romance that she just couldn't seem to stop, but RJW really asked and expected a lot from her in a manipulative and self-serving way. Very quick read.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This type of book is hard to review because it is an expose of a forbidden relationship. It alleges that Robert James Waller author of "Bridges of Madison County" had an affair and that it may have been the source of his writings for that book. I believe it is the source of the fractured ratings for this book. Some people believed the story, some did not. Perhaps some cared and some did not, but why read the book if you don't care. There are parts of the story that alienated me because they sounded like a Harlequin Romance editor had written them on a napkin at lunch in a local Starbucks. The part that was real to me was the detail of the relationship in the sixties. It was a time of turmoil and change. Beatles, bistros, cabarets, coffee shops, Greenwich Village, protestors, miniskirts, Twiggy, Viet Nam, Assassinations [John & Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King], Drugs, Overdoses [Jimi Hendrix & Janis Joplin], Woodstock, Kent State killings [my alma mater] accidental celebrity deaths [Otis Redding & Buddy Holly] and blatant discrimination. But it was the setting and the detail of this time that gave the story credibility. I almost had to catch my breath when they played a duet at some basement hideaway of "Red Velvet by Ian and Sylvia". I still have them on several playlists. In any case was it the source of the intense encounter in "Bridges"? No idea, but I am certain that she believes it.

Robert James Waller was a good athlete an excellent guitar player, songwriter and musician long before his writing talents became evident The crux of this story is that they had an affair in college while he was married. They made promises to each other and broke the relationship when his first child was born. What am I sure of? I know they were attractive and talented. I know they kept their promises. I can imagine that now with this exposure that the lives of the wife, children and perhaps grandchildren will require some explanation. What else do I know? If the story is true I am happy for both of them, however, if I ever have the opportunity to meet Robert James Waller I will hold on to my wallet and hide my wife and daughters in a closet.

[K. Dillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you ever read the book Bridges of Madison County or saw the movie, this book will help you understand the inspiration behind the story of Madison County. It was whimsically written, very easy to follow and I was able to finish in just about 3 hours. The book was "sweet."

[Ed Avila]

This book provided deeper meaning in what a love affair, albiet forbidden, can make people do what they normally would never dare to do--getting involved with a married person. I was deeply engrossed in the Jana's perspective. Avila

[Darlis Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

[Molly Sparber · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting

[Linda Spyhalski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting! Written by the lover of Robert James Waller, the author of The Bridges Of Madison County. Maybe the romance that inspired the book!