It’s weird how ghost stories can be so hit-or-miss. Why did [b:The Graveyard Book|2213661|The Graveyard Book|Neil Gaiman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531295292l/2213661.SY75.jpg|2219449] work for me but not this one, despite so many similar elements (child in graveyard, protective ghosts, themes of compassion and reflection)? Part of it is the narrative style, which I found tedious; but I think what annoyed me most is the triteness of the backdrop. The ghosts here are uninteresting extensions of their mortal selves, with the same appetites and moods despite not having bodies or pulses or vagus nerves or any of the countless physical aspects of consciousness. The gimmick is (very minor spoiler) that they’re in denial about being dead, and once they accept their death, poof, they disappear, presumably moving on to some ultimate celestial reward... but nope, that just seems silly to me. It smacks of wishful thinking, the same sort of dullness that makes some people believe in heaven and afterlife. And the obvious problem with the poof thing, of course, is: WTF? Just how many stages are there? Is it just turtles all the way down? The question of consciousness is a truly mind-boggling one; this sort of treatment is unsatisfying.

The second half is better than the first. There were parts I loved, in particular, the way Saunders depicts Lincoln’s grief over his son’s death and over the senseless suffering of war, ... oof. Unique and effective. The contrasting descriptions of his “ugliness.” I find myself with a much greater appreciation for Lincoln as a person and as President.