Lincoln in
the Bardo is an experimental novel based on the life of Abraham Lincoln when
his son died. The word Bardo means the intermediate time between one’s death
and rebirth. So, Bardo is nothing but a sort of a period. The novel takes, most
of the part, in this Bardo. The title means Lincoln in a specific time zone.
The main theme of the novel is the grief of losing a child: Lincoln loses his
son William. Thus, in a sense the story is all about love, loss and
indeterminate state.
In 2017,
this book won Man Booker Prize. The undertaking of the book appears interesting
and readers feel that it would turn out to be one of those books that endure,
that make them think, and that have the staying power. Coming over the writing
style, it is unique. In the beginning sounds jerky and disjointed but gradually
makes way with its influential theatrical quality.
Every
character speaks a few lines, roles switch rapidly back and forth and a full
range of afterlife personalities shines through. The novel is also replete with
historical references of the Lincoln era, giving it an almost reference kind of
book charm. Some of the moot points of the novel are:
- With the unfinished life stories of Henry Vollman and Roger Bevins… two unlikely heroes who still have work to do in the real world?
- With Lincoln’s angst at losing a child and still pushing forward with a war that’s led to thousands of dying sons?
- With the eternal question of where do we go when it’s all over, how will it turn out, will we be happy in heaven or tormented in hell?
All
unfolding over a single night after the beloved Willie Lincoln’s is buried.
Readers may wonder how so much could have happened in such few hours. Saunders strings together many themes –
parental loss, unanswered love, wild debauchery, civil war history – in a way
that is funny and heart-wrenching at the same time.
The book
was experimental thus feeling like a new genre to audiences. Well, despite
personal views, a must read.
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