Lincoln in the Bardo (Review)

Even with the foreknowledge that this book is a ghost story, it was still jarring to mix the reality of Abraham Lincoln and his son's death with the metaphysical world that Saunders created. The blending of reality with the fantastical provided a setting that allowed for exploration of endless philosophical considerations in the guise of an engaging and bizarre story. Vonnegut has long been one of my favorites, and it almost felt as if his ghost gave Saunders inspiration along the way. The vividity of ghostly world made it seem that Saunders must have visited the Oak Hill Cemetery shortly after Willie Lincoln's death.

In addition to being an enjoyable story, I appreciated the thought-provoking nature of Lincoln in the Bardo. Saunders gave ample opportunity to wrestle with life, death, religion, suffering, self-worth, companionship, and the taken-for-granted joys of a normal day. As suggested by my Vonnegut affinity, I enjoy odd stories—authors who can provide lenses to look at the world in an unexpected manner. So if your reading preferences do not include enjoyment of the peculiar, then this might not be the book for you. But if you welcome the insight that the outlandishness of fiction can often lend to normalcy, then I recommend Lincoln in the Bardo for your reading list.