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Lincoln in the Bardo

George Saunders

Finish date: August 16, 2017

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Aug 06, 2017 Kristel rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, american-literature, grief

Read this in one day (audio version). This is George Saunder's first novel. It is about the death of Abraham Lincoln's son Willie. I just read Team of Rivals and so reading this one now worked out well. The story is set in 1862 and gives us the current political and social climate but also has relevancy for now both in it's contrasts and similarities. The word bardo stands for Tibetan purgatory like state and the events of the book take place at the son's tomb where Lincoln comes in his grief. T Read this in one day (audio version). This is George Saunder's first novel. It is about the death of Abraham Lincoln's son Willie. I just read Team of Rivals and so reading this one now worked out well. The story is set in 1862 and gives us the current political and social climate but also has relevancy for now both in it's contrasts and similarities. The word bardo stands for Tibetan purgatory like state and the events of the book take place at the son's tomb where Lincoln comes in his grief. There are a variety of characters in this book, mostly ghosts of real life and fiction. Besides a story of grief it is also a story of history. What was occurring at the time of the presidency and that is given to us quotes from printed books, journalism, etc to give the details of what is happening, how people were thinking, etc. The work is not a traditional novel and therefore it has achieved something to add to the world of literature and the novel. The novel was based on the fact that it was "reported back at the time" that Lincoln would visit the crypt where his son's body lay to hold it. From the authors interview about the book, "the structure was not preplanned but was the result of quick solution to the structural problem". The ghosts are really a huge part of the book. Each with their own voice, giving the book it's 19th century feel. Saunders stated that he did not try for historical accuracy, just close enough. The audio has a large number of narrators that give voice to the ghosts. Rating 3.71

From the interview with Saunders; this book was finished when Trump started running for president. Saunders states, "So it's almost like none of Trumpism got into this book directly. But if I had to compose a response to Trumpism, it would be this book. To me, all my political ideas are in the book." The author did research Lincoln's attitudes toward slavery and his changing ideas. The book is "before the emancipation proclamation". Lincoln, like a lot of northerners were promoting repatriation to Africa which was not popular with African Americans. So the conclusion is that Lincoln was a sad, kind guy and Trump is an angry, aggressive man. (From interview 1/10/17). ...more

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Jun 20, 2019 Vickie rated it it was ok

One of the strangest books I have ever read. i did learn some interesting things about Lincoln but overall, even tough I like weird books, this one did not appeal to me.

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Dec 14, 2017 Barb rated it really liked it

Aug 12, 2017 Shawna Steffen marked it as to-read

Jan 07, 2018 Shawna Steffen marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Feb 12, 2017 Vickie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Jan 06, 2018 Vickie marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Mar 18, 2017 Gabe Benson rated it it was amazing

Mar 08, 2018 Sherry Myers marked it as to-read

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