The cast of actors really bring the characters to life and you begin to care about their journey. The segments of historical readings give a whole new view of Abraham Lincoln. It is a very personal reflection of a historic figure.
I (very greedily) listened to the audio book and read the book together. I can only imagine I would have found it very disorientating and hard to follow if I hadn’t been lucky enough to have both.
That said, I think Lincoln in the Bardo is one of my favourite books. I can’t pretend to understand it all but the recasting of Lincoln, his grief over the death of his son, the ghosts who inhabit the bardo (by turns touching, troubling and rather funny!) . . just adored it.
@Debra personally I think it’s worth just one more try! I was hesitant because of all the rave reviews but it was definitely one of the best reads of my life.
However I don’t think Lincoln in the Bardo is a book that everyone is going to love,
And if you feel that it is not the one for you?
Life is short and books are many! Good luck on your search for the next one 🙂
One of the greatest books I’ve ever read (or listened to). I was amazed with everything – the historical facts and “facts”, the plot, the language, the setting. There was “scope for imagination” indeed!
I really enjoyed it – found it a bit too clever, too self-aware, and really thought it could be (was, really) a short story. But it was funny, heartfelt, and thoroughly unique.
I think it’s a book that you really need to read, rather than listen to (though the Audible book has an incredible cast). That way you can track who is saying what. I loved it.
@Debra I thought it was a really poignant portrait of grief and loss. It might have hit me more because my father was dying while I read it. I like the interplay of the stories, too, and there was a lot of humor in it.
I’m about a third of the way through and am enjoying so far. I feel like I’m on a bit of a journey with it, no idea where we’ll end up and no expectations of where it’s going, but finding the road interesting.
That was the worst book I have ever tried to read! I hated every minute I spent on it!. I wish I could understand what people loved? I read every review and comment and I just did not see anything!
That’s where I am. People say they love it. But I’m not fully getting why. Lincoln’s grief: ok. Difficulty with history: ok. But ghosts? Heaven? Hell? Sick beds? It just didn’t hold together for me
Was reading for book club and 1 friend called and said “ I cannot read this” we took a poll of group, cancelled book club that month and had girls night out instead! Way better
It was insane but very interesting. Did you like it?
A really good book!!
No. I found it annoying and purposeless can someone tell me why everyone loves it so?
The ending reminded me to treasure every moment even if it was negative because to experience anything at all was better than nothing.
Hmm. That description is what I expected and why I wouldn’t read it
Can’t tell you. I read it for a book club. The person who picked it, we never like the same things.
Not my favourite…..
I started it but I couldn’t get into it. I felt intrusive really. Like I was in on a conversation I wasn’t meant to hear.
I liked the unusual style. I just don’t understand the story. What happened? And why?
I loved it! Once I let go of expectations I found it amazing!
Can you say why?
The audio version is amazing. I have listened to it twice.
Can you say why?
The cast of actors really bring the characters to life and you begin to care about their journey. The segments of historical readings give a whole new view of Abraham Lincoln. It is a very personal reflection of a historic figure.
I (very greedily) listened to the audio book and read the book together. I can only imagine I would have found it very disorientating and hard to follow if I hadn’t been lucky enough to have both.
That said, I think Lincoln in the Bardo is one of my favourite books. I can’t pretend to understand it all but the recasting of Lincoln, his grief over the death of his son, the ghosts who inhabit the bardo (by turns touching, troubling and rather funny!) . . just adored it.
Would you give it another try?
@Catherine you mean, read it again?! When there are already too many books and too little time?
@Debra personally I think it’s worth just one more try! I was hesitant because of all the rave reviews but it was definitely one of the best reads of my life.
However I don’t think Lincoln in the Bardo is a book that everyone is going to love,
And if you feel that it is not the one for you?
Life is short and books are many! Good luck on your search for the next one 🙂
Yeah, I’m going back to the obscure but loveable Mark Dunn.
@Debra didn’t he write Ella Minnow Pea?!
What do you recommend? Always on the look out for recommendations 🙂
Thanks for that reply
One of the greatest books I’ve ever read (or listened to). I was amazed with everything – the historical facts and “facts”, the plot, the language, the setting. There was “scope for imagination” indeed!
Wow thanks. I’ve never “not gotten” a book so poorly before.
@Debra I was right there with you.
I’ve only got about a third of the way through and it’s currently on hold while I read other books. Finding it hard to get into.
I really enjoyed it – found it a bit too clever, too self-aware, and really thought it could be (was, really) a short story. But it was funny, heartfelt, and thoroughly unique.
I think it’s a book that you really need to read, rather than listen to (though the Audible book has an incredible cast). That way you can track who is saying what. I loved it.
Mary, can you say why? What did you love about it?
@Debra I thought it was a really poignant portrait of grief and loss. It might have hit me more because my father was dying while I read it. I like the interplay of the stories, too, and there was a lot of humor in it.
@Mary thx
@Debra thanks for asking 🙂
Didn’t like it. Don’t get the hype.
It’s awful!
Insane and boring.
I’m still not sure!
I’m about a third of the way through and am enjoying so far. I feel like I’m on a bit of a journey with it, no idea where we’ll end up and no expectations of where it’s going, but finding the road interesting.
That was the worst book I have ever tried to read! I hated every minute I spent on it!. I wish I could understand what people loved? I read every review and comment and I just did not see anything!
That’s where I am. People say they love it. But I’m not fully getting why. Lincoln’s grief: ok. Difficulty with history: ok. But ghosts? Heaven? Hell? Sick beds? It just didn’t hold together for me
Was reading for book club and 1 friend called and said “ I cannot read this” we took a poll of group, cancelled book club that month and had girls night out instead! Way better
Very strange book. I had no expectations and found it boring and weird.
Exactly. No expectations. Went in hungrily. Came out confused. I love genre bending, but this was just baffling
I thought it was neat! Unusual! I had a hard time understanding it for the first 10 pages or so but I’m glad I read it.
It had such hype–but I just couldn’t finish it
yeah try as i might, i could not do it.
Couldn’t get past five minutes of it. Terrible.
I loved it. I read it three times.