Play Book Tag discussion

Lincoln in the Bardo fell flat for me. The publisher’s blurb never piqued my interest but the enthusiastic reviews by other readers lured me into reading it. The format, however, simply never worked. The nontraditional structure reminded me a bit of Edgar Lee Master’s Spoon River Anthology but without the elements to knit it together into a coherent whole.

3 tepid stars

awww that's too bad

Denizen wrote: "Lincoln in the Bardo fell flat for me. The publisher’s blurb never piqued my interest but the enthusiastic reviews by other readers lured me into reading it. The format, however, si..."

I've been tempted because so many people love it, but I haven't been sure.

Do you think I would like it?

Booknblues wrote: "Denizen wrote: "Lincoln in the Bardo fell flat for me. The publisher’s blurb never piqued my interest but the enthusiastic reviews by other readers lured me into reading it. The for..."
You and I seem to have similar tastes, and I loved it. I recommend reading and listening at the same time if possible- the audio is an experience on its own, but it can be confusing at first without the book.

Booknblues wrote: "Denizen wrote: "Lincoln in the Bardo fell flat for me. The publisher’s blurb never piqued my interest but the enthusiastic reviews by other readers lured me into reading it. The for..."

It's too unusual in format to call, I think - a bit like me saying do you think I'd like The Wake (Do you? I did buy it.) I found the characters cartoonish and feel like I read a totally different book from the publisher's description. That said, many PBT'ers loved it. I would say if you haven't been grabbed by the first 20 pages or so, jettison it.

I think I was more interested in HOW he told this story than in the story itself, at least at first. Combining the audio with the printed text helped alot.

I heard him speak at the LA Times Book Festival last week. He was very entertaining and listening to how he developed the ideas in the book made me want to look at it again.

I'm finding the audio too hard to follow and I think I'll enjoy the written form more so I've paused for now.

i think written is the way to go the first time through this book. way too confusing, but I did enjoy the audio for the 2nd time through

I think I will too Nicole. The audio is amazing. Just confusing!

Those of you who enjoyed Lincoln in the Bardo might consider reading The Spoon River Anthology if you haven't read it.

There are some really excellent parts. I liked when everyone is describing Lincoln's eyes. I LOVED the part when 2 of the main ghosts enter his body while he's sitting (next to a lake? Under a tree?). That was the best part of the book for me.