
Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel

One feels such love for the little ones, such anticipation that all that is lovely in life will be known by them, such fondness for that set of attributes manifested uniquely in each: mannerisms of bravado, of vulnerability, habits of speech and mispronouncement and so forth; the smell of the hair and head, the feel of the tiny hand in yours—and th
... See moreGeorge Saunders • Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel
I was not surprised to find that George Saunders is a father to two daughters.
What was done to her was done to her many times, by many. What was done to her could not be resisted, was not resisted, sometimes was resisted, which resulted, sometimes, in her being sent away to some far worse place, other times in that resistance simply being forcibly overcome (by fist, knee, board-strike, etc.). What was done to her was done an
... See moreGeorge Saunders • Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel
I think this is the passage that will stick with me long after this book is done. So many voices and yet this one resounds.
The terror and consternation of the Presidential couple may be imagined by anyone who has ever loved a child, and suffered that dread intimation common to all parents, that Fate may not hold that life in as high a regard, and may dispose of it at will.
George Saunders • Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel
inclined. These were Abernathy, Seville, and Kord, all of whom
George Saunders • Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel
He does not (no) look like he is sleeping. He was an open-mouthed sleeper and many expressions would play across his face as he dreamed and he would sometimes mumble a few silly words.
George Saunders • Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel
Attack those petty platitudes, George.
We were as we were! the bass lisper barked. How could we have been otherwise? Or, being that way, have done otherwise? We were that way, at that time, and had been led to that place, not by any innate evil in ourselves, but by the state of our cognition and our experience up until that moment.
George Saunders • Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel
There’s a lesson in what happened to you, Elson. betsy baron If you ain’t white, don’t try to be white. eddie baron
George Saunders • Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel
Lord, what is this? All of this walking about, trying, smiling, bowing, joking? This sitting-down-at-table, pressing-of-shirts, tying-of-ties, shining-of-shoes, planning-of-trips, singing-of-songs-in-the-bath? When he is to be left out here? Is a person to nod, dance, reason, walk, discuss? As before? A parade passes. He can’t rise and join. Am I t
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“How do we continue to love in a world in which the objects of our love are so conditional?”