Exploring Free Will and Morality in George Saunders' *Vigil*

George Saunders' novel *Vigil* delves into the moral complexities surrounding K.J. Boone, a successful CEO whose actions have caused significant harm. The narrative grapples with the question of free will versus determinism, as Boone confronts the consequences of his choices through the lens of Jill, a character who oscillates between compassion and disdain for him.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.

K.J. Boone is portrayed as a quintessential "doer," a self-made man who takes pride in his achievements, including providing for his parents. However, his success is shadowed by the suffering he has inflicted on others, which becomes evident as he encounters ghosts from his past, including scientists and a speechwriter he manipulated. Boone's steadfast refusal to acknowledge his guilt raises questions about moral responsibility. Jill, a health care professional and one of the ghosts, initially feels compassion for Boone but ultimately comes to "hate" him upon realizing his awareness of the pain he has caused.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.

The narrative presents a dichotomy between two philosophical perspectives regarding Boone's actions. If Boone possesses free will, he is culpable for his sins. Conversely, if Jill's elevated understanding is correct, he is merely a product of a predetermined system, suggesting that compassion is the only appropriate response. This tension reflects a broader existential inquiry that Saunders explores throughout the novel.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.

Critics may argue that the stakes in *Vigil* are low, as Boone's past actions cannot be altered, and his potential repentance or punishment serves little purpose beyond satisfying his critics. This perspective raises concerns about the effectiveness of the narrative in addressing real-world moral dilemmas, as the characters are trapped in a cycle of death and reflection without the possibility of change.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.

Saunders does not provide clear resolutions to the moral quandaries presented in *Vigil*. Instead, he invites readers to ponder the implications of free will and the nature of sin. The novel's cosmology is described as "murky," with Jill's role as a comforter reflecting a blend of Christian and Buddhist ideologies, complicating the moral landscape further.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.

• “Who else could you have been but exactly who you are?” — Jill, reflecting on Boone's nature.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.

• “If Boone had free will, and freely chose his course in life, then he is a sinner.” — Analysis of Boone's moral standing.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.

• “But if the elevated Jill is right, he is simply a cog in a gigantic, preordained system grinding on inexorably, and the most any of us can do for him, and for one another, is to show compassion.” — A perspective on the nature of human interaction.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.

*Vigil* challenges readers to confront the ambiguity of morality and the complexities of human behavior. Through Boone's journey and Jill's evolving perspective, Saunders crafts a narrative that resists easy answers, ultimately leaving the question of redemption open to interpretation.

George Saunders book review: Vigil doesn’t go quite where you’d expect.