The Bridge of San Luis Rey is set in and around Lima, the capital
             of Peru, in the eighteenth century. It was a beautiful city, inspired
             by the Catholic religion and entertained by the theater. It was also
             peopled by eccentrics, like the intensely religious and superstitious
             Marquesa, the flirtatious Camila Perichole, the touchy Esteban, the
             snobbish Dona Clara, and the cunning Uncle Pio. The staunch
             Catholics, like the Abbess and Brother Juniper, tried to instill the
             principles of Christianity in the uninitiated, like Pepita, Esteban,
             During the novel, there are several settings outside of Lima. The
             Marquesa undertakes a pilgrimage to the shrine of Santa Maria de
             Cluxambuqua, "perched on the knees of the highest peaks" of
             Andes, in order to offer prayers for her daughter. On the fateful
             day of the breaking of the San Luis Rey Bridge, the Marquesa,
             Pepita, Esteban, Uncle Pio, and Don Jamie had traveled over the
             bridge situated "on the high road between Lima and Cuzco." This
             famous bridge "had been woven of osier by the Incas more than a
             century before, and visitors to the city were always led out to see
             it. It was a mere ladder of thin slats swung out over the gorge, with
             handrails of dried vine;" but it had become a landmark of Peru.
             Marquesa De Montemayor, usually called Dona Maria - the
             intensely religious and superstitious mother of Dona Clara, whom
             she adores. She feels distressed that Dona Clara does not
             reciprocate her love. She is one of the victims of the accident at the
             Esteban and Manuel - orphan twins brought up by the Abbess.
             Their identical looks baffle many people. They are deeply attached
             and understand each other's feelings. While working as copyists in
             the theatre, Manuel falls in love with Camila, causing feelings of
             guilt and tension between him and Esteban.
             Uncle Pio - a shrewd and cunning man of the world and the 2
             guardian of C...