I have only one item on todayโs Friday Round-up, but itโs a good one. Those of you who have been with DALS from the beginning know that we are guilty of playing favorites when it comes to certain authors. One of those authors is George Saunders. Through the years, weโve talked about his masterful short story collections (Andy was lucky enough to be his editor onย Tenth of December); weโve probably gifted more copies of his kidโs book, Theย Very Persistent Gappers ofย Frip,ย than anyone on earth; And once he even guest-posted on DALSย about his favorite childrensโ books. So to keep things consistent, Iโm pleased to break some exciting news: George Saundersโs first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, is out this week. The novel takes place in a cemetery over the course of one imagined night when Abraham Lincoln visits his eleven-year-old sonโs grave. (Lincoln did in fact lose his son, Willie, while he was President, but after this is established, the line between fact and fiction becomes deliberately blurry.) His narrators are ghosts and the story is written like a play, interspersing dialogue between fictitious and historical characters, and making you feel โ in the words of my friend who devoured it in one sitting โ like youโre trapped in a fever dream. Itโs the kind of writing that is inspiring people like Colson Whitehead to call the book โa luminous feat of generosity and humanism.โ (Colson Whitehead people!) You can read the complete review on theย cover of the New York Times Book Review. (The cover, people!)
Have a great weekend.
I AM SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!
Iโm going to see him read in Atlanta later this month ๐
I will be purchasing that Tuesday. Canโt wait!
always love to read book recommendations, fiction is hardest because itโs so subjective and Iโm so leary of the latest literary โtwistโ in narration, style, etc, that is inevitably hailed as latest, greatest, etc., etc. and usually disappointing to me after reading, this though looks promising, if only based on the subject, but also based on your high praise for his work to date, thank you!
Agree with Sabrinaโs comment below, having a trusted source recommend a book, especially fiction, puts this book on the top of my list!
I just started reading this book, and itโs incredible. It makes me laugh and cry all at the same time. Exactly what you want from a book. So glad to hear youโre reading this!
I will have a look for this at the local bookstore. Our whole family loves the Gappers of Frip!
I finished this book earlier in the week and thought to check your blog about it today! A quick โGeorge Saundersโ in the search bar and sure enoughโฆ! I canโt stop thinking about it! Itโs so bizarre and brilliant and evocative!