Questions About Lincoln in the Bardo

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Answered Questions (56)

I really tried, but istening to this book is impossible. I want to appreciate the voices, the story, but I can't get past the format. Like wading through footnotes. Is it possible to ignore the format when you READ it? About to throw in the towel and get a refund.

Peter McCambridge I'm really enjoying the audio now, but I agree the early chapters read like footnotes you couldn't speedread your way through. It becomes much more en…moreI'm really enjoying the audio now, but I agree the early chapters read like footnotes you couldn't speedread your way through. It becomes much more enjoyable, and better suited to audio, from about an hour in. (less)

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Just finished this and need a little help: 1) still not sure why Mr. Bevins appears with multiple eyes, legs, etc and 2) still a bit unclear on the reverend's journey--am struggling with why he was turned back to the "Bardo" and what he decided to finally do--more faith, more sacrifice? Any help or speculation appreciated!

Jennifer Kennedy Bevins wanted to appreciate living on earth with all of his senses and regretted not doing so while he was living. So, his sensory organs are multipli…moreBevins wanted to appreciate living on earth with all of his senses and regretted not doing so while he was living. So, his sensory organs are multiplied in the Bardo as a warped manifestation of his wishes. The reverend and all of the characters in the Bardo do not admit to having made any mistakes, or they at least come up with justifications for their mistakes they made while living. So, they can't move on until they are truthful with themselves. (less)

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What was the the reverend's big sin? Why did the angels at the "diamond palace" react to him as they did?

Lauren Curphey That scene was one of my favourite in the book, so I have considered it at great length. I agree with the other commentor who said that the Reverend w…moreThat scene was one of my favourite in the book, so I have considered it at great length. I agree with the other commentor who said that the Reverend was not guilty of any sin, where I differ is in the reason why the Angels reacted this way.
My initial theory was that it was a test, it seems odd that there would be three people being judged at one time, hence I concluded that the two judged prior to the Reverend were representations of what could happen. It felt like a test of his faith, which perhaps was more difficult for him considering his function during life.
After further thought this seemed a little arbitrary to me. Eventually I came to what I think seems more correct; that he was needed in the Bardo, for one final act, before his task in existing was complete. (less)

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This approach to fiction reminds me of that process of trying to take disparate notes and observations made over a period of time when preparing to write a story and deciding along the way to just throw in the towel and publish the notes. My question; is this Emperor's raiments as fabulous as everyone says, or is he naked as a jaybird? I vote Jaybird.

Karen Lowe I stopped trying to absorb who said everything and read it as if some 'friends' were chatting with me about what was going on. Their voices came out c…moreI stopped trying to absorb who said everything and read it as if some 'friends' were chatting with me about what was going on. Their voices came out clearly after a while. And the multitude of voices gave the novel more universality to me, how we're all so different - in the way we see, speak, think, agree, deny, love, hate - yet we all feel the emotions emotions (albeit differently and at different times and with different voices). I vote fabulous clothing!(less)

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Why do some people dislike this book? I adored it but I think I got some help by understanding Saunders' influences, which range, I think, from Dante to Joyce to Marquez and Beckett etc. I thought the approach was very interesting and a lot of it incredibly moving. I liked it so much I read it through twice. But I can see why it's not for everyone -- it's both very untraditional and very disturbing.

Victoria I hated this book. The format was very difficult, for one thing, but also, I couldn't find myself caring about any of the characters, or what they had…moreI hated this book. The format was very difficult, for one thing, but also, I couldn't find myself caring about any of the characters, or what they had to say. They seemed to say such stupid things, and if they lived life on earth, which they did, then they would definitely know that their decaying bodies were not in "sick boxes." They would be able to identify the boxes as coffins. They would know they were coffins and in seeing their bodies decay, if they were not totally stupid in real life, they would know that they were dead. He wrote the characters and what they said in such a way, that it was hard for me to like them or identify with any of them. And they would go on and on about very silly things that I didn't care about. When I read a book I want a story that gets me interested, that leads somewhere and I want to know what happens next, this was the opposite. It seemed to be going nowhere for interminably long periods, where I felt like I was stuck in the Bardo with them, and couldn't wait to get out. I got so fed up with it, that I skimmed it here and there, and then skipped to the end, and then that was it. I essentially gave up, because I couldn't stand it any longer. (less)

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