Lincoln in the Bardo | Booker 2017 Review
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- Опубліковано 26 сер 2017
- Thoughts on the unconventional novel "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders (shortlisted for this year's Man Booker prize)
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This is not a sponsored video, and unless otherwise stated, I bought all these books myself. - Розваги
I can't stop thinking about this book! It's one of those books where I can't even look at the Good Reads reviews because I feel personally wounded when people hate it, even though I usually just think "to each their own!". Like you said, I feel a lot of affection for this book, so it almost feels like someone insulting a friend. There's been a lot of death and dying in my life just in 2018 alone and I found this book so cathartic.
I'm sorry that death and dying have been a part of your life this year. It's kind of amazing when a book can represent those experiences so well, isn't it? Something special
I think I nearly had a heart attack while waiting to hear what camp you're in. Yay! So relieved. So wonderful listening to your intelligent thoughts about this novel. I know how you feel; there's so much to say about this book. I think it has a good chance at winning the Booker.
Haha sorry for the suspense! At this point I'd looove for this to win, but we'll see if any of the other books steal my heart as much
Lincoln in the Bardo is my favourite book of the year so far, and I've read quite a lot of good books this year.
You did a fantastic job with the review, I could never have summed it up the way you did. Economical, such a perfect word to describe it. All the "Facts" made me laugh, so many contradictory statements yet everybody thinks they are right. I'm amazed how Saunders managed to create Lincoln such a powerful and real character - his sorrow was real and the readers can feel it. Perfect mix of fact and fiction, of sadness and laughter.
If Lincoln in the Bardo is not on the short list... I'll join the riot!
I am with you in the 3rd camp and had a similar experience with the formatting... it really crept up on me and I ended up loving it. I am always wanting to PROVE these bizarre stylistic choices in formatting as a gimmick but with LitB I felt it did truly enhance the experience.
The most exciting thing is that this is a book I know I will return to later on and get more out of with additional reads which always makes the difference between a good and a great book for me. Great review!
My boyfriend says he sees this at Goodwill all the time and he finally found me a copy and I devoured it in a night. I did find it hard to follow for like 10 minutes, but after that I was swept along and found it fascinating and funny and tragic. It also made me think about my own mortality and how very much I would not want to be stuck in the bardo, and what could I change about the way I live or think to move on quickly instead of lingering there like the characters in this book.
Really really enjoyed your description. Just finished the book and am smiling.
I’m so glad you’re in my camp :-) Like you, the innovative style that other people just couldn’t get on with was something I personally adored. All those voices…it’s like a beautiful mosaic. I agree, the ways that the ghosts' deaths and lives manifest in their appearance was just so clever and imaginative! There were so many unforgettable images in this novel that I cannot forget. Some very creepy but some deeply touching like the description you mention of Willie being fitted for a new suit.I really feel this would benefit multiple readings. I’m tempted to listen to it on audio next as I think that will be a completely new, and interesting way to experience this book a second time. I will join you on that riot if this book is not on the shortlist! (Plus - rather selfishly - I have a ticket to the man booker readings, and want the opportunity to meet Saunders to get my book signed!)
I am SO incredibly jealous of that ticket, and hope for your sake that Saunders is there! That would be amazing to meet him
+Insert Literary Pun Here The problem is, I never know what to say at book signings. I'll try to think of something intelligent but will just end up gushing about how much I loved the book! 😄
I was a big fan of Saunder's wild short story collection, Tenth of December, so I was almost nervous that this first effort at a novel would fail. I was so glad to find that I loved it. Saunders ability to make this unusual approach truly work, and wonderfully, is fantastic.
So glad you're in the third camp! This is one of my favourite books of the year. It was quite an enjoyable read throughout - but the ending (that ending with Roger Bevins' monologue!) was just brilliant and took it up a notch for me. I think this has a very good chance of winning the Booker.
I know, the ending was sensational. I'd love for this book to win the Booker
This was probably the best review of a book I've seen on BookTube. I have read Lincoln in the Bardo and it turned out to be one of my all time favorite books. Your review was lovely, heartfelt yet informative.
One of many things that shocked and surprised me when I found BookTube is how technical and unemotional some people are in their approach to reading. I've heard more than one BookTuber say that they have never cried while reading a book. I cannot understand why anyone would want to read if, in that process, they do not allow themselves to be emotionally open to what the author is saying. To consider literature from the standpoint of technique alone is an insult to the writer and a most major flaw in how the reader understands what literature is. It did not surprise me, however, when I noticed that the very people who almost bragged they do not get emotional with reading are the very ones that are working on higher degrees in education or else are involved or want to be involved with critiquing books. I feel, by emphasizing the structure of technique over the message of the work, the educational system is pumping out robots that are out of touch with what literature is all about. A well-written book has a message. In order for that message to resonate, it will have to touch the reader in some way. Yes, it is possible to appeal to the intellect without acting upon the emotions. But, to consider all literature from an intellectual viewpoint is denying the author credit for a large portion of what he or she has strived for in the writing of their piece.
Your review was honest, refreshing and relevant. That you felt the message Saunders placed in the novel through his choice of words to describe the most intimate feelings of his characters does justice to what the author wished to accomplish in the book. A book is a message. A message always contains some degree of emotional content. The best reader is the one who lets down personal barriers during the reading process in order to be receptive to what the author is saying. To close off that avenue is to short circuit the complete experience that involves the activity of reading.
I am aware that I have stepped on some toes with my attitude. But, if a person is not passionate in their beliefs, what is the purpose in having those beliefs in the first place? Thank you for your wonderful review!
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. Some academic experiences make people ashamed to talk about their emotional responses to books, but I agree with you that books' messages are emotionally charged and we do them a disservice to pretend otherwise
Your enthusiasm for this book is infectious. I listened to the audiobook and waxed and waned with my appreciation for it! Thank you for your excellent review which helped me reconsider some of the times my feelings about it waned!
WOW! What a review! I've been wanting to get into George Saunders, and I may just start here. I always really enjoy when novels deconstruct the traditional literary form, and it's even more exciting when those book are really GOOD. It sounds like it may be right up my alley, especially in regard to it's irreverent look at important figures in history, or at least the time period in which they preside. I'm (slowly) reading Mason & Dixon by Thomas Pynchon, and it does this quite a bit (a la George Washington smoking pot with the boys). Will have to pick this up soon.
PS - I just recently got into your channel, and have been binging your back catalog. Your reviews are always so eloquent, yet succinct. I have been adding a few books to my "to-read" list and finding a few others to recommend to my fiancee. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, this comment made me so happy :)
Sounds amazing. Might have read one or two of George Saunders' short stories but can't remember. Definitely want to read this now. Good review :)
This is one of the best reviews I've ever encountered! So much insight, without the pretension.
I own this book, but haven't read it yet. I think your review has pushed me to pick it up and give it a go! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the other Man Booker nominee books.
Yay I'm so glad! Hope you enjoy
I loved your review and can't decide whether that's because or in spite of my having much less positive feeling about Bardo. I loved the experimental style (and the audio, which was amazing! I listened while reading) and was deeply moved by the Lincoln grief story, but all those other ghost characters did not end up working for me and took away from the Lincoln family story (for me). I had already planned to read it again at some point, and your review bolsters my resolve to do just that.
Interesting point, I can definitely see where you're coming from. In a way it'd be cool if both versions of the book existed, if that makes sense (one with and without all the ghosts)
You make the book sound so good! I haven't been too interested in reading it up until now - which is surprising me, because I LOVE historical fiction - but after watching your review, I definitely want to get to it soon! Thanks!
That's so lovely to hear, thank you :)
Though I haven't read this one yet, I really love Saunders. Pastoralia and Civilwarland in Bad Decline were short story collections full of the same pathos and irreverence you described in Lincoln in the Bardo. You hit the nail on the head when you talked about Saunders's ability to portray the fleeting interactions we have with others; his theme-park workers experience the surreal quality of life spent interacting with stangers in disguise. I'm wondering whether this isn't too much like the Booker winner before the last one, A Brief History of Seven Killings; in its first part (and the only successful one, IMO) a ghost narrated the action from the great beyond. If the novel had ended there, I would have been much more impressed with it. Terrific review!
I've loved your reviews of the long list and now can't wait for your take on who made the cut! :)
Thanks for such a great review 🤗 I am currently just over half way through this book and I agree about the structure being chaotic in the beginning however I have settled into it now and loving it! I loved the part with Willie and his suit fitting 😍 This is up there so far with my other favourite Reservoir 13 (however I do think I will be in the minority of loving Reservoir 13 so much). I have read 3 other books so far Autumn, Exit West and Swing Time. I am one third through 4321 and enjoying however it's just so long 😳
Aha - someone who loves Reservoir 13 as much as I do! It's currently top of my list (having now read 6.5 of the books). But the Saunders is yet to come...
Wonderful review. It took me a while to figure out what the writer was doing, but when I got it, it took off.
I have an 11 year old boy. I don’t think I could survive if I were to lose him. I’m tearing up just thinking about it. Lincoln must have gone through hell.
I know, and the Lincolns had 4 sons, only one of whom survived into adulthood. Unimaginable. Can't exactly blame Mary Todd Lincoln for going nuts
I'm so glad I read this book. My experience was similar to yours. The format was confusing at first which I think is intentional on the author's part. Death is confusing and surprising so it made sense we started out confused. I was touched by so many elements: love, loss, human connection, death, afterlife, and Lincoln's (according to this author) determination to continue the Civil War and for these reasons. A beautiful ride!
This is a brilliant review! I've only just read "Lincoln..." and you've put into words just how I felt about the book! Amazing!
I was definitely in the second camp - I enjoyed it, but not as much as you did. I did enjoy your enthusiasm and clear love for this book.
This is a beautiful review, Jennifer. I wasn't sure if I would ever read this book, let alone try to read it before Booker shortlist is announced, but after watching your video, I feel as though I must read it today, right now even. Excellent job conveying the impact this novel had on you while still analysing the work itself.
Thank you, this comment made me tear up!
Insert Literary Pun Here 💙💙💙 this video made ME tear up! I can see how passionate you are about this book, and that's a wonderful, soul-warming thing to witness.
YES, I adored it as well. I actually listened to the audiobook of this one, which is a great experience, because they have a different voice actor for every single narrator or source.
Felt the exact same way about the format, confused for the first few chapters (even worse when you can't see it on the page), but by the time I'd finished it it felt qeird to be reading "normal" books again...
Also, brilliant review as always.
I began to read "Lincoln in the Bardo" but put it away, discouraged by the chaotic format and the stream of one-liners. But perhaps I should give it another chance? You surely have a way with being persuasive. An excellent review - your every point or judgement is substantiated and illustrated with examples or quotations. Bravo!
I thought Lincoln in the Bardo was incredible for all the reasons you stated and others too. I have never read anything so evocative or beautiful. And it's a ghost story! When they mentioned early in the book how children would matterlightblom straightaway I was hooked.
I appreciate your review! I started reading this and struggled with the format. However, I really want to experience this novel and will get back into it and enjoy the ride!
Great review! I am in the third camp, too- absolutely loved it. Although the "potty" humor / bizarreness at times was a tad distracting for me. Such a moving story and loved the historical anecdotes. Definitely top 10 of the year for me!
It really worked for me in this book, although usually I'm the same as you - that kind of humor can drive me crazy
I definitely plan on giving it a chance. I think the passion and exuberance of the positive reviews such as yours are what has convinced me. If it's not shortlisted, will you film yourself flipping cars and setting them afire? I am so here for that.
I will film the verbal equivalent of that, have no fear
Great review! I enjoyed listening to you talk about it but I still don't want to read it though. LOL!
Lulz this might be my favorite comment
Insert Literary Pun Here 😬
I know I'm late, but I just finished this and came here immediately to hear your thoughts. While I can't say I LOVED it, I more-than-liked it, and I would recommend it to others.
What stood out to me was the portrait of Lincoln, both through the historical citations and the ghosts' observations. His grief was very real to me, and the chapter of accounts of him being (paraphrased) "the saddest person I ever saw" struck such a chord. He has always seemed to me to have carried a great weight, and I think Saunders hit just the right tone in his portrayal.
Thanks for sharing!
Loved your commentary and agree with every word. I cried way before you did though. The irony of the party and the death colliding was just too much for me. The fact that others who have died are there to welcome newcomers. ..Willie’s innocent desire to wait rather than pass through- a big moment later on-was just so deep and touching. Just loved every minute of this book. It should be framed and mounted on my wall. Thanks!
I was at the gym listening to the book on audio. I was hearing the first part about Willie's death and the impact it had on the family. On the treadmill, I was crying.
I own a copy of it but was hesitant to pick it up due to all the hype. You have convinced me to give it a try. Thanks for this great review!
I'm so happy to hear that, thank you!
This is one of these books which I just simply do not understand what other people see in it. But then wouldn't it be boring if we all liked the same things all...
It would definitely be boring. I appreciate you watching the review anyway!
I was in the first camp, didn't work for me at all, but I can also see why other people love it.
A bit late, but great review, love it! I read the book a short while ago and then checked a few things about 'bardo' etc and listened to George S. and some reviews. I like the book a lot as well. Keep it up!
I was going to give this book a pass until I watched your review. I just finished it and my head is reeling. I think it was the best book I have read in two or three years. The many characters and sited quotes of individuals was like hearing the collective voices of all humanity. The vision, innovation and creativity of this book just knocked my socks off. Wow. What a book. Unconventional for sure, but it made me laugh, cry, and think.
This comment is LOVELY, thank you. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it :)
Great review, really enjoyed it! Mmmm I loved his collection Tenth of December so I went into this book with impossible expectations. Overall I really really liked it and like you said it was very fun and witty and quite a trip, a really strange experience. My only issue was that it felt kinda long for me for some reason and it lost me a bit at the end. Still a really unique book if you ask me.
I watched this review when you first uploaded it because you're one of my auto-watch booktubers #duh, but haven't had the chance to pick the book up until now. I had an inkling that rewatching your review would help me because the form is definitely sending me through a loop, but I'm going to try and trudge on
I'd say do your best for 100 pages, and if it's not working for you move on - there are so many books to love, no sense pressuring yourself with one you won't!
The first 15 pages or so took some adjustment. From there it was pure brilliance. I have to admit that I keep thinking about it from time to time. An absolutely perfect book hangover. 🤓
I have been intrigued by this one for a while, but I haven't found an afforordable edition so maybe I should chek his short stories first.
That seems like a smart compromise
Amazing review tat puts you right into the book which I will soon read. Thank you so much.
I read this several months ago and enjoyed it. However, after your review I need to read it again. Thx
What a wonderful comment, thank you xx
I wasn't particularly fussed about reading this book before watching your review, but you have absolutely piqued my interest! I am usually put off by very unconventional structure, but I've just read another one of the longlisted books, Solar Bones, which also has an unusual structure and I loved that, so I think I ought to give this one a go. :)
I'm just done the first of 7 CDs on audio (yep, old school, from the library) and yeah! It is dang tough to keep track of who's speaking, who the characters are, the voices, etc, but I'm persevering. I hope it clicks into place soon. I do wish I had the paper copy to refer to. Maybe I'll have to grab it.
Okay, I went to the bookstore after work... and it was $37. I couldn't do it. Damn Canadian retail prices! I think I'm hitting my stride though! And I figured out what all that "op. cit." is. It sounded like an abbreviated way of saying "opposite" on the audio and it was annoying me!
$37??? Highway robbery. But it's cool to hear about the audiobook experience (I think it would've driven me nuts at first, so I admire you for sticking with it)
Yeah! 🙌 I am in camp 3 too. My personal favorite so far on the MBLL💥💥💥💥💥. This is a book I will read again and again throughout my life. Also liked 'Solar Bones'.
Yay Camp 3! And good to hear, I'll be getting to Solar Bones in the coming weeks :)
Very honest review. Have you done any reviews on any of Saunder's short story collections (wink! wink! Tenth of December)? Which are the other Booker winners which you mildly mention in the video?
I read this as soon as it came out. My favorite book of the year so far! Loved it!
Now thats a book review! Great job. 👍
So it's like biography-memoir meets novel meets theatre plus an experimental but good writing about the greatest thoughts and problems of human existence. Until now this book has been in and out in my tbr. You are the first one that has completely convinced me to buy and immediately read this book! Although, I hate to admit that I have a materialistic dilemma with this cover... but I want to buy other books too and I don't want to invest in such a pricey edition! Are you gonna read many books from the longlist? Autumn and this one are so far my only interests.
I know, I waited for months before I gave in and bought the hardback. It was so expensive! But now I'm happy I have it. I'm planning on reading a fair number of books from the longlist (between 10 and 12, we'll see how it goes)
Oh, as always, I am intrigued to hear your thoughts! Happy reading! (Plus beautiful hard cover...sold) :D
I also loved Lincoln in the Bardo but there is no way I could have ever expressed it the way you just did.It is a tricky book to describe to someone. I loved your enthusiasm and appreciation for it.
Trust me, this review took me forever to write, it was such a mess for so long! Thanks for your support
Thank you for this! I just finished and am soo glad I stuck with it
You and I are probably the last responders to this video review as I have only read the book about 6 months ago. Below is a You Tube link to something I think you might like. You can actually manipulate the video by clicking in it and using your mouse to move around.
ua-cam.com/video/phuCt50JCk8/v-deo.html&ab_channel=TheNewYorkTimes
I enjoyed this book very much. At the beginning I experienced some dissonance because of the structure of the book and having to focus too much on who the speakers were was a little tedious. But after about 50 pages, you feel like you're standing in the darkness of the crypt or outside in the graveyard. Youi hear the voices more distinctly and start to individualize them.The book is filled with sadness and a certain pathos, but also with hilarity and soberness at the same time. I was struck that these souls were not aware that they were actually dead, and yet lamented the fact that they no longer could have an impact, or affect the world of the living the way they once did. Regret. I recommend you watch George Saunders & friends give a reading at Shakespeare and Company in Paris. It's on you tube.
The audiobook is a necessity. I tried to read this in Braille and it didn’t work. And the Braille was formatted like the print.
I loved this book , for me it read like a play. Great review
I'm in the second camp. It was powerful in parts but the minor ghosts were just plain irritating. The passages from historical sources were my favorite. I wanted more of that and more about President Lincoln himself. But even though I didn't love it, I won't be upset if it wins the Man Booker. I watched the entire review though because you're always so eloquent.
Just finished the book--thoroughly enjoyed it. I also found your video insightful! Thank you. (I'm sorry that this comment sounds like a normal, healthy, well-adjust human adult, since, apparently, posted comments are the interwebs are supposed to sound like Mr. and Mrs. Barons! hehehe)
Well-adjusted adults are an endangered species, and I love when they find their way to my channel :)
i loved it, too -- so lovely -- nice review
Loved this book...Loved your review.
I have just discovered your channel and I'm loving your reviews! I must say that I wasn't interested in this book at all, it just didn't sounds like something I would like to ever read (and it's not about the form but rather about the subject matter, seems just a tad too weird for me), but now I have some doubts and maybe will pick it up after all :) And you clearly predicted the winner! :D
I'm so glad to hear that! :)
I had this book in my possession for a while and I did read some of it but I stopped and returned it to the library. I had a similar reaction at age whatever 44 reading this book as my reaction to reading Ulysses at 18 or 19 years old. only I went into Ulysses with the assumption that I should be able to understand and that if I did not there was something wrong with me. with this what I thought and what I still think from what I read was that saunders did not create a narrative from his own prose but from extracts of documents of the time of the narrative, of Lincoln's time. it struck me as a collage and isn't it one? I later read 300 pages of Ulysses, and then again later I read the same 300 pages of Ulysses, and then a decade again later I read the whole novel, and I've gone back to it several times to read passages from Ulysses. I have not even gotten through the bardo but lately I've heard two rave reviews of this book which I found negligible, not the reviews but the book The bardo. what saunders has done was done in Ulysses 100 years ago. I think it is the emotional attachment that people have to maybe characters I don't know. I formed an absolutely no attachment to the book; it did not imprint on me nor I on it. but I would attempt it again, and again
Every time I see this book I know I need to read it. And that passage about love, wow. That hits home. George Saunders was just on Prairie Home Companion last week and he and their cast read an excerpt from this book. Seeing it acted out by different people is really interesting. Here's the link: ua-cam.com/video/Y2yA4TI1kS4/v-deo.html
This is such an interesting video, thanks for the link!
Sounds interesting but off-beat. How often do 'novels' with irregular forms win the MB Prize?
Not exactly sure, but I believe traditional novels have more of a history of winning the Booker
The audio book was wonderful.
I actually thought you wouldn't like this at all :) So I guess I will give this a chance -- it is not often you and Adam fall in the same camp :)
Oh my god , i cant stop watching your reviews , you are really magical reviewer
Seriously u should take the reviewing part professionally & work on studio setup
It d be great
I KNEW IT!! (I didn't click away, though :-) )
1/1 so far!
yup adding this to my wish list thanks for the awesome review
You should be a comedienne ;'' he had a massive erection'' hahaha I bet he did , but did he die of a heart attack
😍😍😍
YEEEEEEEESS!!!! Im so happy you loved it!! I felt like I was harrassing you about this book by the end 😂. One of my favourite books of the year, it is just heart-wrenching.
cariadllyfr.wordpress.com/2017/08/04/man-booker-prize-contenders-lincoln-in-the-bardo/ Here's my review on it if you wanted to take a look 😁
Haha no worries, I didn't feel that way! And I really enjoyed your review
Insert Literary Pun Here Wow! Thank you for reading it!
I can't imagine calling that book pretentious. That is pure projection on their part. THEY are the pretentious ones.
Great review. I still hate the book!
Эти русская книга -_-
Dead Child abuse at the end. Crappy book