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A review by cheesebagel
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
1.0
I know some readers (for reasons unknown to me) like to pick up books they anticipate not enjoying. I am not one of these. Very rarely will I select a book to read that I think will disappoint me. I suppose, though, this makes the disappointing books even worse when I begin them expecting greatness.
This book attempts to tell a story in a departure from typical form. It’s laid out as a series of sources and speakers who alternate regularly throughout the novel. I’ve read a few books that experiment with form and personally, I appreciate the artistry and creativity involved in the endeavour. This form, however, copies much of its character from theatre. Is not a play written as a series of alternating speakers with no description in between? In my view, it’s not, then, much of a display of innovation.
Further, the form is distracting. I tried, I really tried, to get past it and become absorbed in the story. But the characters are so indistinguishable (except for the couple who swear a lot) that I had to keep checking who was speaking. Because of this it took me significantly longer than it should have to get through the book because I was so reluctant to pick it back up for how it bored and exhausted me.
Contributing to this effect was the flimsy plot and the lack of character development (or character at all). Very little of any substance occurs throughout the book. The plot is essentially this: dead ghost people realize they are dead and walk into the light. Lame, right? The graveyard’s occupants blurred together in my mind and their characters were not substantially developed by the end of the story.
Finally, I take issue with the use of the word n****r. Throughout the entire book Saunders censors profanity, yet this word he deems acceptable to print. Very suspicious. There was also some really weird stuff about poop and penises. Read at your own risk.
This book was a 1 star for me, but don’t let that discourage you from reading it. There are people out there who enjoyed this (including the Booker Prize committee, shockingly) and you might be one.
https://thebookmartian.wordpress.com/2021/01/14/lincoln-in-the-bardo-review/
This book attempts to tell a story in a departure from typical form. It’s laid out as a series of sources and speakers who alternate regularly throughout the novel. I’ve read a few books that experiment with form and personally, I appreciate the artistry and creativity involved in the endeavour. This form, however, copies much of its character from theatre. Is not a play written as a series of alternating speakers with no description in between? In my view, it’s not, then, much of a display of innovation.
Further, the form is distracting. I tried, I really tried, to get past it and become absorbed in the story. But the characters are so indistinguishable (except for the couple who swear a lot) that I had to keep checking who was speaking. Because of this it took me significantly longer than it should have to get through the book because I was so reluctant to pick it back up for how it bored and exhausted me.
Contributing to this effect was the flimsy plot and the lack of character development (or character at all). Very little of any substance occurs throughout the book. The plot is essentially this: dead ghost people realize they are dead and walk into the light. Lame, right? The graveyard’s occupants blurred together in my mind and their characters were not substantially developed by the end of the story.
Finally, I take issue with the use of the word n****r. Throughout the entire book Saunders censors profanity, yet this word he deems acceptable to print. Very suspicious. There was also some really weird stuff about poop and penises. Read at your own risk.
This book was a 1 star for me, but don’t let that discourage you from reading it. There are people out there who enjoyed this (including the Booker Prize committee, shockingly) and you might be one.
https://thebookmartian.wordpress.com/2021/01/14/lincoln-in-the-bardo-review/