George Saunders' latest novel, Vigil, is a haunting exploration of mortality, morality, and the futility of redemption. The story revolves around KJ Boone, an oil tycoon who has spent his life profiting from climate denial and environmental destruction. As he lies on his deathbed, Boone's mind becomes permeable to ghosts, including Jill Blaine, a spectral death doula who has helped hundreds of souls ease their way out of their bodies.
But while the ghostly visitations serve as a catalyst for moral inquiry, they also feel like a gimmick. Saunders' signature blend of dark humor and philosophical insight is still present, but it's hard to shake off the feeling that we're trapped in someone else's morality play. The novel's attempts to stage a lesson on the futility of corporate villainy ring hollow, particularly given the pervasive nature of structural violence in our society.
Meanwhile, Jill Blaine is the far more intriguing character. Her backstory, which has been erased from her memory, serves as a powerful metaphor for the devastating effects of forgetfulness and loneliness. As she tends to Boone's ghostly visitors, Blaine's own forgotten past returns, threatening to upend her carefully constructed amnesia.
Saunders' writing is often described as a "vigilantist fantasy," but Vigil feels more like a confrontation with the limits of our moral agency. The climate crisis doesn't have a clear villain or resolution; it's a complex web of structural violence that requires systemic change, not just individual repentance. Boone's fate serves as a stark reminder of this reality.
Ultimately, Vigil is a novel about the search for meaning and connection in a world that seems to be falling apart. While Saunders' signature style is still on full display, the book's attempts to stage a moral lesson feel forced, leaving the reader wondering if we'll ever find redemption for our complicity in the Anthropocene.
But while the ghostly visitations serve as a catalyst for moral inquiry, they also feel like a gimmick. Saunders' signature blend of dark humor and philosophical insight is still present, but it's hard to shake off the feeling that we're trapped in someone else's morality play. The novel's attempts to stage a lesson on the futility of corporate villainy ring hollow, particularly given the pervasive nature of structural violence in our society.
Meanwhile, Jill Blaine is the far more intriguing character. Her backstory, which has been erased from her memory, serves as a powerful metaphor for the devastating effects of forgetfulness and loneliness. As she tends to Boone's ghostly visitors, Blaine's own forgotten past returns, threatening to upend her carefully constructed amnesia.
Saunders' writing is often described as a "vigilantist fantasy," but Vigil feels more like a confrontation with the limits of our moral agency. The climate crisis doesn't have a clear villain or resolution; it's a complex web of structural violence that requires systemic change, not just individual repentance. Boone's fate serves as a stark reminder of this reality.
Ultimately, Vigil is a novel about the search for meaning and connection in a world that seems to be falling apart. While Saunders' signature style is still on full display, the book's attempts to stage a moral lesson feel forced, leaving the reader wondering if we'll ever find redemption for our complicity in the Anthropocene.
i mean don't get me wrong the writing is as beautiful as always but the plot feels kinda contrived to me - all these ghosts showing up at this dude's deathbed and it's like saunders is trying to say something about corporate guilt or whatever 
her backstory is so hauntingly beautiful it made me wanna cry tbh 
the ghost characters are cool, esp jill blaine - her backstory tho is giving me LIFE 
but seriously, doesn't feel like saunders is really tackling the root of the problem... systemic change anyone? 
george saunders' latest is like, super deep and all, but it feels like he's trying too hard to make a point 
boone's story is literally just a vehicle for saunders' philosophical ramblings and i'm over here like "yeah, we get it, capitalism is bad" 
her backstory is like the real heart of the novel, you feel? 
anyway, what's good with saunders is that he's still got that signature dark humor, but sometimes i think he just likes to see how long it takes us to realize we're all in this together 
. Saunders' writing is usually so vivid and immersive, but this time it feels like he's holding up a mirror to society rather than showing us something new and different 
.