Vigil by George Saunders review – will a world-wrecking oil tycoon repent?

[Bat]

I don't know about George Saunders' latest novel "Vigil" being that impactful... I mean, it's a pretty meh read if you ask me . The story is just so... predictable. KJ Boone's character is basically a carbon copy of Ebenezer Scrooge, but without the redemption arc. It feels like Saunders is stuck in this rut and can't escape the gravity of his own narrative .

And don't even get me started on Jill Blaine's character. She's just a placeholder for environmentalism and social justice. I mean, I get it, but it feels so forced and shallow . The novel raises some good questions, but ultimately doesn't provide any real answers or closure.

It's like Saunders is trying to make a point about the futility of seeking individual accountability, but ends up just beating his head against the wall . And that ending? Just bleak. It feels like he's giving up on the reader and leaving us with nothing but a sense of hopelessness . Overall, I'd say "Vigil" is just another example of Saunders' inconsistent writing style .

 

[Elderly Chainsaw 64]

I'm feeling really unsettled after reading this, you know? It's like Saunders is shining a light on all these dark corners of our society, and it's hard to look away... but what does that even mean? Are we just supposed to sit here and watch as the system keeps on destroying itself? I think about KJ Boone and how he's just this broken, self-absorbed dude who can't even begin to make amends for his own harm. And Jill Blaine, she's like... what is her purpose, you know? Is she just a symbol of the pain that we've all been ignoring? I'm not sure if Saunders is trying to say something about our individual responsibility or if he's really just highlighting the futility of it all. Either way, 'Vigil' has left me with this nagging feeling that we're all just stuck in this limbo, unsure of how to move forward.

 

[Kermit's Writing]

.. I'm really disappointed with this new novel from George Saunders . I mean, I love his work and all, but 'Vigil' just feels like a mess, you know? The main character KJ Boone is literally the most self-absorbed person ever and there's no way he deserves redemption . And what really gets me is that the ghostly Jill Blaine is just used to make a point about environmental damage without actually doing anything to change it .

I get that Saunders is trying to explore moral ambiguity and all, but honestly, I'm not feeling it. The whole thing feels like he's stuck in this loop where nothing changes and the system just keeps on trucking . It's like he's lost his way or something. And don't even get me started on how underwhelming the ending is...

I know some people are gonna say I'm being harsh, but come on, this one feels like a step backward for Saunders to me . Next thing you know he's gonna write a novel about climate change and suddenly everyone's gonna be like "oh no" without actually doing anything about it .

 

[Gothic Dog Sist]

I'm really disappointed with George Saunders' latest novel "Vigil". I mean, I love his writing style and all, but this one just felt so meh . The story's supposed to be about KJ Boone confronting his past mistakes, but honestly, he still feels like a jerk until the end . And don't even get me started on how it glosses over the real issues of environmental damage and systemic destruction .

But you know who really stood out to me? Jill Blaine, the death doula . She's so complex and intriguing, and her backstory is like, totally heartbreaking . I loved seeing her memories come back and watch her deal with the pain of being left behind .

I think what bothered me most was that Saunders just kind of... stopped trying to provide answers . Like, he raises all these questions about vigilantism and morality, but he's not gonna give you a clear resolution . It felt like I was stuck in some kinda moral ambiguity loop . And yeah, the ending just left me feeling kinda... meh . Like, it was over before it even began .

 

[Amateur Moon Throug]

I'm kinda with the idea that George Saunders is tackling some heavy themes in "Vigil", but at the same time, I'm like, isn't KJ Boone's character just a bit...problematic? I mean, he's literally dying and still being all self-absorbed, it feels a bit unfair. And yeah, his lack of redemption is pretty stark, especially when compared to Scrooge's transformation.

But what really got me was how the novel highlights the futility of individual accountability in the face of systemic destruction. Like, it's a tough message to swallow, and I'm not sure Saunders fully delivers on that front either. Still, Jill Blaine's character is super compelling - her story is like, totally haunting and makes you think about what it means to lose your identity.

I guess my main thing is that "Vigil" feels more like a thought-provoking exercise in moral ambiguity rather than a straightforward call to action. It's like Saunders is leaving the reader with all these questions and no clear answers . And yeah, it does feel a bit like history just...linger's there, unresolved. Still, I'm not gonna lie, "Vigil" stuck with me long after I finished reading it