George Saunders signed books at the Mississippi Book Festival — where should a first-timer start?
Saw the Mississippi Book Festival photos and George Saunders signing books, and I realized I have never read him. For someone starting from zero: is Lincoln in the Bardo the right first book, or should I start with the short stories like Tenth of December? I read about 30 pages a night, so I want the one that hooks fastest.
2 answers
- Borrow Tenth of December, do not buy anything yet
Start with the stories and spend zero dollars. Tenth of December is at basically every library, ten stories, and the title story is the one everyone quotes. If you finish it and want more, then buy Lincoln in the Bardo. No point paying 28 dollars hardcover before you know you like him.
- Start with Tenth of December, one story a night
Lincoln in the Bardo is the famous one, but it is the harder entry point — unconventional structure, slower hook. Tenth of December gives you complete stories in 20-40 pages, so at your 30-pages-a-night pace you finish one story per night and each one either lands or it does not. Fastest way to know if Saunders is for you. If two or three stories land, then read Lincoln in the Bardo — it hits differently once you trust his voice.