Lincoln in the Bardo

Summary

The novel "Lincoln in the Bardo" by George Saunders tells the story of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln as he mourns the death of his eleven-year-old son, Willie. The narrative unfolds over the course of one night in a cemetery, where Willie's soul is trapped in a state between life and death, known as the bardo. Willie encounters numerous other souls who are also unable to leave this world. These souls share their stories, reflect on life and death, and attempt to help Willie and Lincoln find peace. The novel explores themes of grief, loss, and the acceptance of death's inevitability, blending historical facts with fantastical elements and a multi-voiced narrative.

Main Ideas

• Exploration of grief and loss through the lens of Abraham Lincoln's son, Willie's death.
• The concept of the bardo as an intermediate state between life and death, where souls are stuck, unaware of their own demise.
• The theme of love and attachment as a driving force that can keep souls in the bardo.
• Interaction between the living and the dead, and how it affects both sides.
• The political and historical context of the American Civil War and its impact on personal tragedies.
• A diversity of voices and perspectives representing different social and cultural strata.

Historical Context and Significance

George Saunders' "Lincoln in the Bardo" is a unique blend of historical fiction and philosophical reflection on life and death. The book is based on the real event of Willie Lincoln's death, the son of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, and his subsequent existence in a state between life and death, known as the bardo in Tibetan Buddhist tradition. The historical significance of the book lies in its profound exploration of human grief, loss, and the process of accepting death. Its cultural impact is evident in its innovative narrative form, which combines multiple voices and perspectives to create a layered and emotionally rich work. The novel has been critically acclaimed and was awarded the Booker Prize, highlighting its importance in contemporary literature.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Abraham Lincoln - The U.S. President who is deeply affected by the death of his son, Willie. His grief and attempts to cope with the loss are central to the book. Lincoln visits the cemetery where his son is buried, and his interactions with the spirits in the bardo help him realize his role and responsibility as a national leader.
• Willie Lincoln - The son of Abraham Lincoln, who dies at the age of 11. His spirit finds itself in the bardo, an intermediate state between life and death. Willie does not understand that he is dead, and his journey involves accepting his death and moving on to the afterlife.
• Hans Vollman - One of the spirits residing in the bardo. He was a printer in life and died in an accident. Hans helps Willie understand that he is dead, and his journey involves coming to terms with his own situation and accepting the inevitable transition.
• Roger Bevins III - Another spirit in the bardo, who took his own life due to unrequited love. He has the ability to see beauty in small things and helps Willie and other spirits realize the importance of accepting their death. His journey involves overcoming his own grief and aiding others.
• Elizabeth Keckley - The spirit of a woman who lost her child and cannot come to terms with his death. She becomes an important figure for Willie, helping him understand and accept his situation. Her journey involves accepting her loss and finding peace.

Style and Technique

George Saunders' "Lincoln in the Bardo" stands out for its unique style and structure. The book is written in the form of a collage, consisting of numerous voices, including historical documents, fictional testimonies, and character monologues. This polyphonic approach creates a sense of choral storytelling, where each voice adds its perspective to the overall picture. The language of the work ranges from elevated to conversational, helping convey the diversity of characters and their emotional states. Saunders employs various literary techniques, such as stream of consciousness, fragmentation, and intertextuality, to convey the complexity and multilayered nature of the human experience. The book's nonlinear structure allows the reader to gradually piece together a mosaic of events and emotions related to the loss of Abraham Lincoln's son. This experimental approach makes "Lincoln in the Bardo" a unique work that requires active reader participation in the interpretation process.

Interesting Facts

• The book is based on the real event of Willie Lincoln's death, the son of President Abraham Lincoln, in 1862.
• The novel takes place over the course of one night in a cemetery, where the spirits of the deceased communicate with each other and the living.
• The novel is written in an unusual format, combining elements of historical chronicle, dramatic dialogue, and stream of consciousness.
• The book features over 160 voices, including historical figures and fictional characters.
• The title "bardo" refers to the Tibetan concept of an intermediate state between death and rebirth.
• The novel won the Booker Prize in 2017, marking Saunders' first major novel.

Book Review

George Saunders' "Lincoln in the Bardo" is a unique work that combines historical accuracy with fantastical elements. Critics praise the novel's unusual structure, consisting of multiple voices and fragments, which creates a polyphonic effect and allows for a deeper immersion into the emotional world of the characters. The central theme of the book is grief and loss, which is particularly vivid through the portrayal of Abraham Lincoln mourning his deceased son. Saunders masterfully conveys the inner experiences of the characters, creating a powerful emotional impact on the reader. Critics also highlight the philosophical depth of the work, exploring questions of life, death, and the afterlife. Overall, "Lincoln in the Bardo" has received high praise for its originality, literary craftsmanship, and emotional strength.