By George Saunders
Lincoln in the Bardo, the 2017 winner of the prestigious Man Booker Prize, is one strange book. A first novel by well-known American short story writer George Saunders, it is virtually uncategorizable, although probably the closest designation is satire. Called “original, transcendent and moving” on the Goodreads book review site, it takes place over the course of one night in the cemetery where 11 year old Willie Lincoln, older son of President Abraham Lincoln, has just been laid to rest.
The story, such as it is, brings the reader face to face with Lincoln’s profound grief following the loss of his son. His younger son, Tad, is also at home, sick with typhoid fever; his wife, Mary, has been left incapacitated by the tragedy of Willie’s death. To make matters even worse, it is 1862, the Civil War is still in its early stages, and already Lincoln has been inundated with bad press regarding the toll the war is taking, as well as his leadership deficiencies. Taking place in “the bardo”, a Buddhist concept referring to the intermediate space between death and rebirth (similar to the notion of purgatory), it seems that the bardo in this particular graveyard (Oak Hill Cemetery in suburban Georgetown) is positively riddled with other “souls in waiting”, all of whom have much to say about the newest denizen and his famous visitor.
Chief among the deceased commentators are Hans Vollman, Reverend Everly Thomas, and Roger Bevins III, but many more appear as the novel progresses. Not all the spirits feel so benignly about seeing a new face, but the three principals find themselves behaving in a protective way toward young Willie, especially as his condition deteriorates. Since they have the remarkable ability to inhabit, and commune with other spirits (as well as the President, the only one actually drawing breath in the crypt), Vollman and Bevins take it upon themselves to board Mr. Lincoln, and bring the him back into the crypt when he leaves. In this way, they hope to bring Willie “into” his father, and interact directly with him.
“We wished the lad to go, and thereby save himself. His father wished him to be ‘in some bright place, free of suffering, resplendent in a new mode of being.’
A happy confluence of wishes. It seemed we must persuade the gentleman to return with us to the white stone home. Once there, we must encourage the lad into the gentleman, hoping that, while therein, having overheard his father’s wish, he would be convinced to— Vollman
A fine idea, I said, but we have no method by which to accomplish it… It is simply not within our power to communicate with those of that ilk, much less persuade them to do anything. Bevins”
After debating the merits and historical accuracy of this argument, the pair do take some desperate measures—and enlist the help of their fellow spirits—to accomplish their task, especially in light of Willie’s increased rate of decay.
Much of the enjoyment I experienced in reading this book centred on the very graphic depiction of the other bardo residents. Their appearances in this realm coincide with their behaviour when alive, but in a much exaggerated form which can fluctuate dramatically, depending on their task at hand. Vollman, for example, is typically naked, with an oversized and unwieldy “member”, while Bevins’ form consists of multiple arms, legs, eyes and other physical features. Only once, toward the end of the book, do we see them as they actually appeared in life, and this occurs shortly before they experience the “familiar yet always bone-chilling firesound of the matterlightblooming phenomenon” accompanied by a rain of their clothing, signifying departure from the bardo.
Some other memorable characters include the libidinous Mr. Reedy and the Crutchers; the profane Eddie and Betsy Baron; Thomas Havens, who is privileged to merge with the President (and his horse), as they ride away from the cemetery; the wildly prejudiced Lieutenant Cecil Stone; Mr. Collier, ”compelled to float horizontally, like a human compass needle, the top of his head facing in the direction of whichever of his properties he found himself most worried about at the moment.” And these are but a few.
Interspersed with chapters that relate the progress of Willie and his companions in the cemetery are chapters filled with quotes, some of them apparently fictitious, regarding such topics as: the physical appearance and mental state of Abraham Lincoln, the unpopularity of his administration, his neglectfulness in respect to his children, the preparations for an ill-timed White House party, and the agonizing death of Willie, among other topics.
Saunders is clearly a very original talent. His wizardry with words and fantastical concepts takes this book into the realm of the great, although it is not a novel that one is likely to pick up and page through at one’s leisure. The themes of death, grief and the human condition are powerfully drawn, but the off-the-wall humour he brings to the characters and situations kept this reader ping-ponging between laughter and sadness. Read it to enjoy a master wordsmith at his craft, but don’t expect a story in the conventional sense.
George Saunders teaches in the Creative Writing program at Syracuse University. In 2013 he was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine.
-Melanie Cutting
For Valentine’s Day, the Lennoxville Library will be featuring its DVD collection of great love stories and romantic comedies starting next Tuesday and running through the big day the following Wednesday.