"The Bridge over the River Kwai" by Pierre Boulle was first published in 1952. It was originally published in French as "La Pont da la Riviere Kwai." The English translation was published in 1954.

The novel has a historical setting, although the narrative is fictional, partly based on Pierre Boulle's own life experience working in Malaysia rubber plantations.

The author had later worked for allied forces in Singapore and Indochina during World War II. This experience has also inspired the present novel.