Vigil by George Saunders
_(cropped).jpg)
In his 2021 book about writing, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, George Saunders analyzes the various methods that Russian writers use
to convey emotional resonance and meaning to their stories. It’s a fascinating
look at the ways that writers use description, dialogue, and behavior to
channel emotional impact and significance to readers. I loved reading this book
since it offered this unique insight into Saunders’ teaching methods as well as
some of the influences he may apply to his own writing. Nevertheless, this
approach does require more of the reader to closely read (and reread) the fine
details to gain a deeper understanding of the characters’ motivations, interests,
and the overall meaning of the story. Saunders’ latest novel, Vigil, further
demonstrates how one of the best contemporary American writers takes these methods
to new depths to develop a new and important novel that many people should
read. While the novel’s themes of dealing with grief, death, and dying, as well
as the importance of reflection and forgiveness are definitely needed in today’s
climate, I can also appreciate that this is a somewhat challenging novel,
especially early on, and may not be to everyone’s liking. However, if readers
stick with the novel after about ¼ of the way through, I think that there is a
significant reward in finishing the book as we learn more about the characters
K.J. Boone, a dying man of significance on earth whose policies and beliefs
have had a major impact on many different people and regions around the world,
and Jill “Doll” Blaine, a woman who died in explosive circumstances in 1976, barely
able to start her adult life, and their connection in K.J.’s final days.
The novel alternates between various perspectives, but we mostly hear from Jill and K.J. Jill is tasked with leading K.J. to the afterlife, which often involves confronting those from the past who have either wronged or been wronged by the charge. As Jill plummets to earth from the afterworld, we are left to make sense of her disorientation as she gradually learns about K.J. and his situation. It does require much of the reader, but again, persistence and patience make for a rewarding read in this case. Although I understand the title Vigil to mean a period of watching or praying, usually before something significant might happen, I also wondered if there was some kind of play on the name Virgil, who was Dante’s guide through the Divine Comedy. Jill almost acts as a kind of Virgil who tries to lead the obstinate and overbearing K.J. through this process of shedding his mortal coil and elevating to the afterlife. Along the way, Jill also learns about the meaning of her own life and her end, as well as what has happened to those who were responsible for her death. In many ways, she is like the opposite of K.J. in that she finds ways to forgive and recall the love she experienced. K.J., on the other hand, seems to identify his moments of superiority and recalls more resentment and skepticism for those who wronged or were wronged by him. Maybe the title is just a coincidence, but I also thought this book has similar themes about death and the afterlife as Lincoln in the Bardo, Saunders’ award-winning other novel (he’s mostly known for writing short stories). Both books propose ideas about the afterlife and question the nature of our actions and interactions here on earth. I loved the ideas that Saunders elicits in Vigil—especially those around the kind of awareness that Jill develops around our own identities, who we are, how we act, and the eventuality of our lives. It’s something that I didn’t necessarily expect from this book, but I appreciated as I continued to read on. As K.J. was not someone who was entirely loved or embraced (his policies and company seem to have had some impact on global warming), the book also reminded me of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, where Scrooge is encouraged to change his ways before it is too late. Similarly, K.J. encounters some people whose lives were upended as a result of his quest for profits over the considerations of the earth. One of the more entertaining characters who visits K.J. is his daughter, whose own stream-of-consciousness adds both humor and insight into K.J.’s final moments. Her voice and perspective are so different from the other characters, yet are also so contemporary and relevant. I loved the way Saunders’ writing inhabits all of these different characters, even those ancillary voices that Jill encounters in the afterlife- like a trapper who died alone in a shack or the Mels, who have a unique encounter with Jill and K.J. It demonstrates Saunders’ skill and creativity. However, Vigil also says much about this idea of interconnection in a society where we seem to be increasingly disconnected or isolated from one another more and more. Jill’s work to usher K.J. from this world to the next help to show how important it is to develop those kinds of connections, but also through walking through many of the important moments of his life, learning about some of his most important and most embarrassing elements of his life, we learn the totality of a person, making it easier for Jill to understand and accept who they are, flaws and all. While Vigil may not be a book for everyone, I absolutely loved it. Reading the first few sections is a bit of a challenge, but once readers acclimate to the story and Saunders’ unique vision for the afterlife, it is a rewarding and meaningful read. Many thanks to Random House and NetGalley for providing me with this advanced copy for review. Highly recommended!
