I listened to the audiobook version of this novel, which
has 166 narrators, including: Nick Offerman, Carrie Brownstein, Lena
Dunham, Patrick Wilson, Megan Mullally, Rainn Wilson, Bill Hader, Susan
Sarandon, Bradley Whitford, Ben Stiller, Julianne Moore, George Saunders
(the author), and many others.
*****
The story: On the night of a State Dinner in 1862, Willie Lincoln, the 11-year-old son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, dies of typhoid fever.
Willie Lincoln
Willie Lincoln on his death bed
The Lincolns' much-loved boy is laid to rest in a borrowed crypt in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Oak Hill Cemetery
Willie Lincoln marker
This isn't just any cemetery though. It's a kind of purgatory or netherworld, where the spirits of some of the interred remain behind - either because they can't or won't go on.
This is the case with little Willie Lincoln, who - it seems - doesn't quite realize he's dead.
Willie's 'ghost' is one of many in Oak Hill Cemetery, and - in the course of the story - we get to meet a wide array of colorful wraiths, including: a naked man with a permanently engorged penis - who was going to consummate his marriage when a beam fell on him; a preacher who fears he won't get into heaven - and is constantly trying to figure out why; and a gay man who died for love.
We also encounter a meek lady who's eager to describe the local flora to anybody and everybody; a groper who constantly grabs the flower lady; a lovely black slave who's been repeatedly raped by white men; a 'Siamese twin' made of two fused spirits; a foul-mouthed couple who were rotten, neglectful parents; and a girl permanently trapped in a burning train car.
Among the creepiest ghosts is a fellow who randomly sprouts eyes, ears, noses, and hands....so he looks like ball of body parts.
There aren't many children in this netherworld because their spirits normally move on very quickly. Willie lingers though, and this causes controversy among his fellow graveyard residents. Some want him to remain.....and others try to get him to leave.
Regardless of their feelings, all the ghosts are fascinated by visits from Abraham Lincoln. The distraught father - devastated by his loss - takes out and embraces his son's body. Willie's spirit sits on his father's lap and speaks to him, but the boy can't be felt or heard.
Lincoln's presence leads to speculation among the cemetery's other residents, who wonder if the President can 'take the boy back'.....and whether they could 'go back' as well. Some spirits long to return to their families; some want to make amends; and some are just bored....and chafe at their confinement within the cemetery walls.
Hoping to be heard, all the ghosts crowd close and shout their stories at the President - who's oblivious to them. A few intrepid spirits go so far as to jump into Lincoln's body, which permits them to share thoughts with the President and each other. As a result, a number of souls (apparently) attain some kind of peace and 'go into the light'..... while others don't.
The President is a sympathetic figure, reeling from the death of his son at the same time the Civil War is raging. Though mired in sadness, the Commander-in-Chief has to be strong, both for his wife (who's too bereaved to leave her bed) and for his crisis-ridden country - whose brave soldiers are dying every day.
The fictional parts of the book are interspersed with actual snippets from newspapers, books, diaries, letters, journals, conversations, etc. Thus we get glimpses of real life around 1862, which show us: an image of young Willie, who was a boisterous child that adored his father; the festivities on the night of the State Dinner - the guests, glamorous attire, and sumptuous food; Abe and Mary Lincoln lingering at their dying son's bedside; the President's physical appearance (blue eyes, brown eyes, ugly, handsome.....everyone has an opinion); the President on a horse that's much too small for him - so that his feet almost touch the ground; Willie's funeral; thoughts about the Civil War; and so on. This gives the novel a historical vibe that I liked.
While listening to the book I felt somewhat irritated and impatient. The story meanders around, jumps from one character to another, and is written in a stream of consciousness style. Thus, it can be hard to follow. Once I finished the novel though, the story elements gelled in my mind......and I came to appreciate the talent and imagination of the author. Thus my rating of 4 stars.
This book won't appeal to all readers, so - if you're curious - you should probably get the book from the library and see if it's for you.
*****
The story: On the night of a State Dinner in 1862, Willie Lincoln, the 11-year-old son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln, dies of typhoid fever.
Willie Lincoln
Willie Lincoln on his death bed
The Lincolns' much-loved boy is laid to rest in a borrowed crypt in Oak Hill Cemetery.
Oak Hill Cemetery
Willie Lincoln marker
This isn't just any cemetery though. It's a kind of purgatory or netherworld, where the spirits of some of the interred remain behind - either because they can't or won't go on.
This is the case with little Willie Lincoln, who - it seems - doesn't quite realize he's dead.
Willie's 'ghost' is one of many in Oak Hill Cemetery, and - in the course of the story - we get to meet a wide array of colorful wraiths, including: a naked man with a permanently engorged penis - who was going to consummate his marriage when a beam fell on him; a preacher who fears he won't get into heaven - and is constantly trying to figure out why; and a gay man who died for love.
We also encounter a meek lady who's eager to describe the local flora to anybody and everybody; a groper who constantly grabs the flower lady; a lovely black slave who's been repeatedly raped by white men; a 'Siamese twin' made of two fused spirits; a foul-mouthed couple who were rotten, neglectful parents; and a girl permanently trapped in a burning train car.
Among the creepiest ghosts is a fellow who randomly sprouts eyes, ears, noses, and hands....so he looks like ball of body parts.
There aren't many children in this netherworld because their spirits normally move on very quickly. Willie lingers though, and this causes controversy among his fellow graveyard residents. Some want him to remain.....and others try to get him to leave.
Regardless of their feelings, all the ghosts are fascinated by visits from Abraham Lincoln. The distraught father - devastated by his loss - takes out and embraces his son's body. Willie's spirit sits on his father's lap and speaks to him, but the boy can't be felt or heard.
Lincoln's presence leads to speculation among the cemetery's other residents, who wonder if the President can 'take the boy back'.....and whether they could 'go back' as well. Some spirits long to return to their families; some want to make amends; and some are just bored....and chafe at their confinement within the cemetery walls.
Hoping to be heard, all the ghosts crowd close and shout their stories at the President - who's oblivious to them. A few intrepid spirits go so far as to jump into Lincoln's body, which permits them to share thoughts with the President and each other. As a result, a number of souls (apparently) attain some kind of peace and 'go into the light'..... while others don't.
The President is a sympathetic figure, reeling from the death of his son at the same time the Civil War is raging. Though mired in sadness, the Commander-in-Chief has to be strong, both for his wife (who's too bereaved to leave her bed) and for his crisis-ridden country - whose brave soldiers are dying every day.
The fictional parts of the book are interspersed with actual snippets from newspapers, books, diaries, letters, journals, conversations, etc. Thus we get glimpses of real life around 1862, which show us: an image of young Willie, who was a boisterous child that adored his father; the festivities on the night of the State Dinner - the guests, glamorous attire, and sumptuous food; Abe and Mary Lincoln lingering at their dying son's bedside; the President's physical appearance (blue eyes, brown eyes, ugly, handsome.....everyone has an opinion); the President on a horse that's much too small for him - so that his feet almost touch the ground; Willie's funeral; thoughts about the Civil War; and so on. This gives the novel a historical vibe that I liked.
While listening to the book I felt somewhat irritated and impatient. The story meanders around, jumps from one character to another, and is written in a stream of consciousness style. Thus, it can be hard to follow. Once I finished the novel though, the story elements gelled in my mind......and I came to appreciate the talent and imagination of the author. Thus my rating of 4 stars.
This book won't appeal to all readers, so - if you're curious - you should probably get the book from the library and see if it's for you.
Rating: 4 stars
Great review, Barb! I have been intrigued by yours and others reviews of this book. Added to my TBR. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Avonna. I read the book for the same reason - I'd read reviews that piqued my interest. Hope you enjoy the book. :)
DeleteGreat review Barb. So you said there were multiple narrators, how was that. Did you enjoy the narration? I might have to see if I can get my hands on this for the ride home.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carla. Yes, there were many narrators - for all the characters as well as the writers of the non-fiction snippets. The narration was excellent,as the characters had unique voices. Hope you snag a copy. :)
ReplyDelete