George Saunders' new novel Vigil is a ghost story about an oil tycoon who spent a lifetime covering up climate change evidence and must confront his legacy on his deathbed. The author explains that he finds ghost stories compelling because they allow for the exploration of difficult truths, such as mortality and the human condition.
Saunders believes that writing can make us better people by encouraging empathy and self-reflection. He is drawn to humor in his writing, using it to temper serious themes and explore complex issues like politics. His goal is to ask thought-provoking questions rather than provide easy answers.
In his personal life, Saunders values spirituality and family. He met his wife Paula while attending Syracuse University's MFA program, and they have two grown daughters together. The couple writes in their separate offices, with Paula serving as a more skilled editor.
The author expresses concerns about Trump's authoritarianism, but acknowledges that discussing politics can be challenging when it comes to his audience. Saunders aims to create fictive worlds that promote thought and compassion through writing. He believes that by improving the quality of one's thought and empathy, individuals will be better equipped to handle life's complexities.
Throughout our conversation, George Saunders demonstrates a unique blend of wit, humor, and intellectual curiosity. His approach to writing is both personal and universal, reflecting his own struggles with identity and mortality while offering readers a chance to engage with complex themes in an accessible manner.
Saunders believes that writing can make us better people by encouraging empathy and self-reflection. He is drawn to humor in his writing, using it to temper serious themes and explore complex issues like politics. His goal is to ask thought-provoking questions rather than provide easy answers.
In his personal life, Saunders values spirituality and family. He met his wife Paula while attending Syracuse University's MFA program, and they have two grown daughters together. The couple writes in their separate offices, with Paula serving as a more skilled editor.
The author expresses concerns about Trump's authoritarianism, but acknowledges that discussing politics can be challenging when it comes to his audience. Saunders aims to create fictive worlds that promote thought and compassion through writing. He believes that by improving the quality of one's thought and empathy, individuals will be better equipped to handle life's complexities.
Throughout our conversation, George Saunders demonstrates a unique blend of wit, humor, and intellectual curiosity. His approach to writing is both personal and universal, reflecting his own struggles with identity and mortality while offering readers a chance to engage with complex themes in an accessible manner.
I'm loving this new novel by George Saunders 
! The way he weaves together ghost stories and climate change is so thought-provoking 
. As someone who's always said that laughter can be a powerful tool for healing 
, I appreciate how Saunders uses humor to tackle serious issues like politics 
.
. And, let's be real, who wouldn't want to read about an oil tycoon confronting his climate change legacy on his deathbed? 
. The man is a genius when it comes to making us think about the human condition 
.
. Can't wait to dive into his next book! 
I'm reading about this new novel by George Saunders and I gotta say, the idea of ghost stories as a way to explore dark truths really resonates with me... reminds me of old-school horror movies and EC comics from my childhood 
. And yeah, Saunders' goal to ask thought-provoking questions over providing easy answers is something I think we need more of in literature these days... it's like he's taking the complexity of life and breaking it down into manageable chunks, you know? 
and a good book is like the ultimate safe space to explore all our feels & thoughts without judgment 
it just proves that you don't have to be some kinda genius or anything to make a difference with the people in your life 
and I gotta say, it's like he's speaking straight to my soul! His ghost stories are so much more than just spooky tales - they're like mirrors reflecting our darkest fears about the planet we live on 
. I love how he uses humor to balance out all the heavy themes - it's like a much-needed breath of fresh air 
. And can we talk about his writing process? The fact that he and his wife Paula work in separate offices, she being the real brains behind the operation 
it's like he's speaking straight to my soul as someone who loves to overshare on the internet too! but seriously though i think his approach to writing is really inspiring - the way he's using storytelling to encourage empathy and self-reflection is something i try to do with my own online content, even if it's just a rambling post about my cat 
, i think its cool how George Saunders uses that genre to tackle tough topics like climate change & our impact on the planet 
. and can we talk about how awesome it is that he's got a partner in crime who's also super into writing? Paula sounds like an amazing editor 
And what I appreciate about his writing style is that it's not just serious and somber, but also has this wicked sense of humor to it - it's like he's poking fun at us while we're still trying to take ourselves seriously. 
... or at least die on their deathbeds with a clear conscience. Like come on George Saunders you're not fooling anyone with your 'humor' and 'wit' 
. It's all just a clever way to avoid the real issue - climate change is no joke, dude! We need concrete answers, not some ghost story that's just gonna leave us feeling meh. Can't we just have one smart guy who tells it like it is?