Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Title: Lincoln in the Bardo

Author: George Saunders

Length: 367 pages

Content notes: For high school students and adults (Complex ideas and themes)

“The rabble cannot manage itself.

Well, the rabble could. The rabble would.

He would lead the rabble in managing.

The thing would be won.”

This is the first work I have ever read by Mr. Saunders. Also, I picked up this book and started reading it completely cold: no prior information about it except that it was a “different sort of book.” Therefore, when I started reading it I was a little confused. I admit that after a few pages in, I stopped and researched Saunders and his work. Then I happily set into reading this book and enjoyed the humor and silliness that helps the reader cope with the sad and painful subject matter. The year is 1862 and President Lincoln has lost his precious young son, Willie. Lincoln is constantly aware of the painful and ironic knowledge that he is suffering from the loss of his son while so many other sons are dying in the war he himself is waging.

The setting of this story is the graveyard where young Willie in interred. The characters are the souls of the people who are also interred in this graveyard. These characters are confused about their existence and do not quite understand that they are dead. However, they have friendships, alliances, fears, and a little community right there in the graveyard. They somehow know that children should leave and leave quickly for their own safety. When Willie arrives the characters know that Willie, who misses his father and refuses to leave, is in extreme danger.


The plot is moved about by the characters bantering with each other. The reader gains understanding of the story as they talk and explain their funny and sad stories. AND, I have to say that the characters are very funny and made me smile many times. The reader also gets little snippets of news stories posted throughout the book. These stories often contradict each other and come from various points of view during this time in history. This constantly reminds us that truth is only as accurate as the person reporting it.


The mission for these characters is to save Willie’s soul and to help Lincoln come to terms with Willie’s death. I found myself caught up in this story despite the uncommon storytelling that Saunders employs.


This book will not be everyone’s cup of tea. But, if you want to read an unusual book with unusual characters, and if you want to laugh, think, and deal with some deep sadness all at the same time then read this book. You will not regret it.