Celebrated Author George Saunders Explores Mortality in New Novel 'Vigil'

Saunders' latest work, inspired by his own fascination with death, follows an oil company CEO on his final night.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:31am

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At 67 years old, celebrated author George Saunders is exploring mortality and the process of dying in his new novel 'Vigil'. The book, which hits shelves today, follows an 84-year-old oil company CEO named K.J. Boone on his deathbed as he is visited by various ghosts, including a young woman named Jill Blaine who has shepherded hundreds of people through their final hours. Saunders was inspired to write the novel after watching the devastating effects of climate change unfold, and he wonders how climate change deniers would feel looking back on their alleged accomplishments near the end of their lives.

Why it matters

Saunders' novel grapples with weighty themes of mortality, compassion, and the consequences of one's actions. As the author himself has observed, people's perspectives often shift as they approach the end of their lives, raising questions about how we will reckon with our choices and their impact. 'Vigil' explores these complex issues through the lens of a morally compromised character, offering readers a thought-provoking meditation on the human condition.

The details

In 'Vigil', Jill Blaine, a young woman who died under mysterious circumstances in 1976, has taken on the role of a nondenominational 'angel-ghost', using her supernatural abilities to comfort people in their final hours. Her latest charge is K.J. Boone, the 84-year-old former CEO of an oil company who pioneered climate change denial propaganda. As Blaine tries to guide Boone towards contrition and self-reflection, she is visited by other ghosts, including a 19th-century Frenchman who invented the internal combustion engine and is now disgusted by its harmful effects.

  • Saunders began writing 'Vigil' in the spring of 2023, after a devastating cyclone in the Bay of Bengal and global food supply chain disruptions.
  • 'Vigil' is Saunders' first novel since 'Lincoln in the Bardo', which won the Booker Prize in 2017.

The players

George Saunders

A celebrated American author known for his short stories, who has now written a new novel exploring themes of mortality and the human condition.

Jill Blaine

A young woman who died in 1976 and has taken on the role of a 'nondenominational angel-ghost', using her supernatural abilities to comfort people in their final hours.

K.J. Boone

An 84-year-old former CEO of an oil company who pioneered climate change denial propaganda, and is now facing his own mortality.

Étienne Lenoir

A 19th-century Belgian-French engineer who is believed to have inspired the character of the Frenchman who invented the internal combustion engine in 'Vigil'.

Mr. Bhuti

An Indian lawyer whose ghost visits Boone on his deathbed, recounting the devastating effects of climate change-induced drought that killed his family.

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What they’re saying

“I've been having that thought since I was a little kid in grade school. I loved getting praised, but when I would do well and somebody else would do bad, a little voice was like, 'Did you, in the womb, designate yourself a future kiss-up to the nuns?'”

— George Saunders, Author

“A lot of people think compassion means folding up your tent, sitting very serenely somewhere, and letting everything happen. But that's absolutely not true. I don't see that in the Buddhist tradition. There are some real ass-kickers. Empathy leaves the practitioner in a more powerful position, no matter what, even if you're on fire with the desire to resist something.”

— George Saunders, Author

What’s next

Saunders' new novel 'Vigil' is available in bookstores and online starting today, January 27, 2026.

The takeaway

Through the lens of a morally compromised character, Saunders' 'Vigil' offers a thought-provoking exploration of mortality, compassion, and the consequences of one's actions. The novel grapples with weighty themes that challenge readers to consider their own perspectives on life, death, and the human condition.