Revising my thoughts on Lincoln in the Bardo

When LitB first came out, it was hard to miss the accolades, right?

I popped it on my Kindle and promptly forgot all about it. I only use a Kindle to read myself to sleep - mine has the "Paperwhite" screen with soft lighting, no internet connection, turns itself off if you haven't turned a page in a while. Hence, perfect for sleeping.

I may also have checked it out of library and abandoned after a few pages of utter bafflement.

Anyway, LitB is definitely not a bedtime book for me. And what is my definition of a bedtime book?

1. It should be something I've read before, so no wondering what happens.

2. Per #1, also no "trying to figure out what's going on" for a book that requires that, such as LitB.

3. It should have non-upsetting content. No current events at bedtime.

The common denominator being: lack of mental/emotional stimulation.

So now that I've figured out what the heck is going on in this book, I must buy a print copy because my fascination with it is definitely making me stay awake longer than I should.

Of course I want to be fascinated, just not at bedtime.

4 months ago

LJP

Veteran

Another one I started and couldn’t finish .

kkards

April, Thank you thank you ! I l thought I was the only one.

THIS IS MY EXACT DEFINITION OF A BEDTIME BOOK.

1. It should be something I've read before, so no wondering what happens
otherwise I’m up all night.

April

I learned this from one of my first therapy supervisors, the great but not late "Dr. Ruth". She said for her, it had to be something she'd read before for the same reason - and at that moment she was rereading the entire Harry Potter series for perhaps the third time.

Well, duh. How did I not see that a mystery story is NOT for bedtime unless you've read it before and know the result.

LJP, you are definitely not alone. I note that on the New York Times' list of the 100 best books of the 21st century (chosen by " 503 novelists, nonfiction writers, poets, critics and other book lovers — with a little help from the staff of The New York Times Book Review") LitB lands at #18, whereas the lay readers' choices for the same question places it at #16.

My take on why this is: Because readers who had to work hard to grasp a book, those readers value that work just a bit more than the professionals, who kind of have that working-hard thing baked into their professional lives.

Only 39 of the 100 made it to both lists. Open to many interpretations, but that is the number.

NancyW

I was taken in by that book from the opening section even though it took some time to understand where we were and what was happening. I felt it was written just for me. The sort of book I prefer to read when I am alone so that I don’t have to be interrupted or asked questions. And to finish alone so I can sit with it. Bedtime is for short stories, magazine articles, comic romances or cozy mysteries.

doggeh lover

Active Member

Good thoughts! April, Dr Ruth passed away earlier this month. Happened July 12th in NYC...she was 96.

Laurie

Ok, how could I know absolutely nothing about this book?! The audio version has dozens of readers, including Megan Mulally and Nick Offerman, and David Sedaris? I've got audio and written copies on hold!

I like to read good fiction at night, or short stories.

Laurie, as noted above, be prepared for any variety of experiences. For me it was a very very slow dawning of what was going on; for NW, she was captivated enough from page one to perhaps enjoy the slow dawning; for LJP and for me the first time, it was such frustrating confusion we abandoned it.

I'll report back!

I am listening to LitB - and it's definitely very strange, and it's creepy. I haven't tried reading it, but I bet that first couple of chapters is torture, with all of the citations.
It's so good with all the readers, though - Susan Sarandon!
I'm going to keep going, listening while I walk and jog.

3 months ago

Very large smile!

Ugh, the\ose citations by voice. I believe this book repays the persistence it requires; let us know what you think.

So, last night I read the chapters I had already listened to and I actually find the written word easier to follow, but maybe because I already have the gist of it. I kind of like doing both. I can see why Nick and Megan saw the performance potential (are they making a film?) - it's written like a play.
David Sedaris is so perfectly cast.

Still going, almost done. It's been really disturbing and, at moments, really lovely. But mostly disturbing.
I can see why it received the acclaim.

I loved this book in part for its style but also because its themes are my themes! Anyway, the New York Times Book Review podcast from August 5 is an interview with Saunders. It is at the Times, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. I do find some of his short stories to be disturbing but compelling so I may understand what you are talking about.

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