Bardo or Not Bardo

Bardo or Not Bardo

<div><p>"Irreducible to any single literary genre, the Volodinian cosmos is skillfully crafted, fusing elements of science fiction with magical realism and political commentary."—Nicholas Hauck, <i>Music & Literature</I></P><p>One of Volodine's funniest books, <i>Bardo or Not Bardo </I>takes place in his universe of failed revolutions, radical shamanism, and off-kilter nomenclature.</p><p>In each of these seven vignettes, someone dies and has to make his way through the Tibetan afterlife, also known as the Bardo. In the Bardo, souls wander for forty-nine days before being reborn, helped along on their journey by the teachings of the <i>Book of the Dead</I>.</p><p>Unfortunately, Volodine's characters bungle their chances at enlightenment, with the recently dead choosing to waste away their afterlife sleeping, or choosing to be reborn as an insignificant spider. The still-living aren't much better off, making a mess of things in their own ways, such as erroneously reciting a Tibetan cookbook to a lost comrade instead of the holy book.</P><p>Once again, Volodine has demonstrated his range and ambition, crafting a moving, hysterical work about transformations and the power of the book.</P><p><b>Antoine Volodine </B>is the primary pseudonym of a French writer who has published twenty books under this name, several of which are available in English translation, such as <i>Minor Angels</I>, and <i>Writers</I>. He also publishes under the names Lutz Bassmann and Manuela Draeger.</P><p><b>J. T. Mahany </B>is a graduate of the Master of Arts in Literary Translation Studies program at the University of Rochester and is currently studying for his MFA at the University of Arkansas.</P></div>