Lincoln in the Bardo
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Lincoln in the Bardo
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Lincoln in the Bardo
WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE 2017
A STORY OF LOVE AFTER DEATH
‘A masterpiece’ Zadie Smith
‘Extraordinary’ Daily Mail
‘Breathtaking’ Observer
‘A tour de force’ The Sunday Times
George Saunders' extraordinary debut novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, weaves a heart-rending story set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. As the battle-lines are drawn and a nation is torn asunder, President Abraham Lincoln faces a personal tragedy: his beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, falls grievously ill and succumbs to a fever. Willie is interred in the crypt of a Georgetown cemetery, where, overcome by unfathomable sorrow, Lincoln is rumoured to return several times to hold his boy’s lifeless body.
While grounded in this deeply human and historical moment, Saunders takes the tale into a poignant, surreal territory known as the bardo, a Tibetan concept of a transitional state between death and rebirth. Here, Willie Lincoln's soul lingers, encountering a cacophony of spirits, each with their own tales of love, regret, and unfinished business. The disembodied voices - be they raucous or reflective, desperate or tender - paint a vivid picture of this state between worlds where the living and dead intermingle.
Through this supernatural lens, Lincoln in the Bardo conjures a multi-faceted narrative, rich with humour, pathos, and philosophical inquiries. Saunders crafts a kaleidoscope of voices, offering glimpses into the perspectives of historical figures, fictional entities, and those who knew the Lincolns. The spectral inhabitants of the cemetery, with their myriad stories, engage in poignant dialogues and confrontations, ultimately embroiling young Willie's soul in a climactic struggle for salvation.
Unfolding over the course of a single, extraordinary night, this novel challenges readers with its inventive structure and imparts a profound meditation on love, loss, and the nature of existence. Saunders' deft blend of historical realism and supernatural invention affirms his standing as one of the most innovative and significant writers of our time.
With its unique form and emotionally resonant storytelling, Lincoln in the Bardo poses the timeless question: how do we endure in a world where everything we cherish must inevitably come to an end? This tour de force is not just a novel but an exploration of the human condition, rendered with Saunders' signature humour, eloquence, and grace.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
George Saunders’s debut novel is widely praised for its ingenuity, imagination, and emotional depth. Reviews highlight its inventive narrative style, mixing history and fiction to explore themes of grief and loss with humour and empathy. The novel's ability to humanize Lincoln and create a vivid, multifaceted depiction of a pivotal historical moment is a common point of acclaim. Critics describe it as a genre-busting masterpiece, emotionally involving, and a unique literary experience.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781408871775
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 08 February 2018
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 298g
Pages: 368
About the Author
George Saunders is the author of nine books, including Lincoln in the Bardo, winner of the 2017 Man Booker Prize. Tenth of December was a finalist for the National Book Award and won the inaugural Folio Prize. He has received MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships and the PEN/Malamud Prize for excellence in the short story, and was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2013, he was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine. He teaches in the creative writing program at Syracuse University. georgesaundersbooks.com
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