A rollicking good ride

 

5 stars

Oh, Vigil. What a tricksy thing you are. On one hand you are extraordinary, being in the vein of the much loved Lincoln in the Bardo. Lyrical, irreverent, fun, funny, linguistic gymnastics set to beautiful poetry. On the other hand, you felt ever so slightly like a sophomore slump by lacking in new, different energy. But, Vigil is stunning enough to excel on a different plane few dare to strive to achieve. It packs so much vigor that it is hard not to be won over by its pace and exuberance. 

I read this thinking K.J. Boone was the main character but he is not. All the humanity, tenderness and soul comes to the reader through the sweet, Pollyanna character of Jill "Doll" Blaine. She is the spirit who arrives to ferry Boone, an aged oil exec, into the afterlife. Doll is naive but unfailingly kind and helpful. It's her job to comfort. But in Boone she encounters someone who is unashamed of his life and wanting none of her comfort. She also has her hands full with other spirits keen to see Boone brought low and remind him of his evil deeds pillaging our planet for greed. In all the hubbub surrounding Boone's final hours, she is reminded of her life and everything she left behind.

The more I think on Vigil, the more I am in awe of it. Yes, it is similar to Lincoln in the Bardo, but without historically important characters, and leans in hard on mans' criminality in wilfully destroying the planet but it has bucket loads of charm and humanity. Even Boone is humanised with the reflections on his early years and his parents. This is a skillful work of art that is as fun as it is serious. I would love to see this as a film but suspect my imagination is the superior vehicle for this novel. A film couldn't do it justice. That George Saunders magic shines brightly here and is a joy to behold.