Member Review
Review by
Michael B, Reviewer
Reckoning the Unreckoned
Booker Prize-winner George Saunders has released his newest novel, "Vigil." This work is a morally complex, satirical ghost story that follows the thematic vein of his earlier book, “Lincoln in the Bardo.”
The narrative centers on a single evening at the deathbed of K.J. Boone, a rich and unremorseful oil executive known for denying climate change. Attending him is Jill “Doll” Blaine, the ghost of a young woman whose afterlife role is to serve as a comforting guide for the dying. Jill's task is complicated by Boone's refusal to acknowledge the environmental devastation he caused, and by the arrival of other ghosts—some seeking an alliance with her, others intent on confrontation. The main conflict involves Jill's guiding philosophy of "elevation"—showing compassion for all "inevitable occurrences"—and her mounting internal struggle against the impulse to condemn Boone's destructive arrogance, which forces her to confront the limits of her own hard-won spiritual enlightenment.
In “Vigil,” Saunders continues his use of ghosts, much like his debut, “Lincoln in the Bardo,” to drive the story. Here the spirits often serve a function reminiscent of those in "A Christmas Carol," acting as catalysts to spur a moral awakening.
Unlike the sprawling nature of ‘Bardo, 'Vigil' is more streamlined, centering on a few core themes. Principal among these is the devastating conflict between corporate accountability and the environmental crisis of climate change, which Saunders skewers with his signature blend of the surreal and the deeply human. The novel also examines Jill's struggle to reconcile free will with pre-determination, specifically, regarding the inevitability of Boone's choices. Finally, Saunders explores the delicate balance between achieving justice and extending compassion.
Ultimately, 'Vigil' is a significant and worthwhile read that, though more focused than “Lincoln in the Bardo,” furnishes a challenging and profoundly thought-provoking examination of human kindness, judgment, and the enduring consequences of facing our own mortality and collective actions.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Booker Prize-winner George Saunders has released his newest novel, "Vigil." This work is a morally complex, satirical ghost story that follows the thematic vein of his earlier book, “Lincoln in the Bardo.”
The narrative centers on a single evening at the deathbed of K.J. Boone, a rich and unremorseful oil executive known for denying climate change. Attending him is Jill “Doll” Blaine, the ghost of a young woman whose afterlife role is to serve as a comforting guide for the dying. Jill's task is complicated by Boone's refusal to acknowledge the environmental devastation he caused, and by the arrival of other ghosts—some seeking an alliance with her, others intent on confrontation. The main conflict involves Jill's guiding philosophy of "elevation"—showing compassion for all "inevitable occurrences"—and her mounting internal struggle against the impulse to condemn Boone's destructive arrogance, which forces her to confront the limits of her own hard-won spiritual enlightenment.
In “Vigil,” Saunders continues his use of ghosts, much like his debut, “Lincoln in the Bardo,” to drive the story. Here the spirits often serve a function reminiscent of those in "A Christmas Carol," acting as catalysts to spur a moral awakening.
Unlike the sprawling nature of ‘Bardo, 'Vigil' is more streamlined, centering on a few core themes. Principal among these is the devastating conflict between corporate accountability and the environmental crisis of climate change, which Saunders skewers with his signature blend of the surreal and the deeply human. The novel also examines Jill's struggle to reconcile free will with pre-determination, specifically, regarding the inevitability of Boone's choices. Finally, Saunders explores the delicate balance between achieving justice and extending compassion.
Ultimately, 'Vigil' is a significant and worthwhile read that, though more focused than “Lincoln in the Bardo,” furnishes a challenging and profoundly thought-provoking examination of human kindness, judgment, and the enduring consequences of facing our own mortality and collective actions.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
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