Bust-Down Books
Vigil: A Novel by George Saunders
Vigil: A Novel by George Saunders
Couldn't load pickup availability
Vigil: A Novel
by George Saunders
"A wise, playful, electric novel from the Booker Prize–winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo."
🖋️ LITERARY FICTION | MAGICAL REALISM | SOCIAL SATIRE
A surrealist exploration of legacy, corporate greed, and the environmental toll of capitalism, set during the final hours of a powerful oil tycoon.
Extended Synopsis
Jill “Doll” Blaine is hurtling toward Earth once again, reconstituting as she falls—right down to her favorite black pumps. Since her own death, Doll has performed the sacred duty of ushering souls into the afterlife 343 times. Her newest charge, however, is unlike any she has encountered. K. J. Boone, a powerful oil company CEO, refuses to be consoled. He has lived a big, bold life, and he is certain the world is better for it. Or is it?
Vigil careens through the wild final evening of Boone’s complicated life as the veil between worlds thins. An ornate mansion becomes the stage for a chaotic reckoning: birds swarm the dying man’s room, a black calf grazes on a loveseat, and figures from Boone’s past—both living and dead—materialize to demand an accounting. From drought-ravaged villagers to chilling corporate cronies with plans for his post-death future, George Saunders utilizes his explosive imagination to tackle the gravest issues of our time, weaving a tale that interrogates the thorny possibility of absolution in an age of environmental peril.
About the Author
George Saunders is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lincoln in the Bardo, which won the Booker Prize, and the short story collection Tenth of December, a finalist for the National Book Award. He is widely considered one of the most important and influential writers of his generation, known for his unique blend of humor, empathy, and social critique.
Reader Targeting & Academic Utility
- Literary Fiction Enthusiasts: A must-read for fans of Saunders' experimental prose and his ability to find the human heart within surrealist landscapes.
- Environmental & Social Critics: Provides a sharp, narrative-driven analysis of the "toll of capitalism" and corporate responsibility.
- Academic Research: A significant primary text for contemporary literature studies focusing on magical realism, the "Great American Novel," and 21st-century environmental ethics.
Technical Specifications
| ISBN-13 | 9780525509622 |
| ISBN-10 | 0525509623 |
| Format | Hardcover |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Publication Date | January 27, 2026 |
| Subjects | Literature & Fiction, Greed & Corruption |
Accolades & Features
- Written by the Booker Prize–winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo.
- A sharp, imaginative reckoning with modern corporate greed and environmental hazards.
- "Saunders at his most electric; a masterful spin on life, death, and the weight of a legacy." — Bust Down Books Editorial Review
Bust-Down Books: A Name You Can Trust
People Over Profits
Share
