Released in early 2026, this novel marks Saunders' return to the "Bardo"—a liminal afterlife state he previously explored in his Booker Prize-winning Lincoln in the Bardo .
The story follows Jill , a spectral figure whose duty is to usher souls into the afterlife. Her latest charge is K.J. Boone , a defiant oil tycoon and climate change denier. Unlike her previous 343 charges, Boone refuses consolation, believing his life of "progress" justifies his environmental impact. Released in early 2026, this novel marks Saunders'
Reviewers have praised its "explosive imagination" and "moral focus," with some comparing it to A Christmas Carol . It became a major bestseller shortly after its release. 2. Vigil (TV Series, 2021–Present) Boone , a defiant oil tycoon and climate change denier
The novel examines corporate greed, the human toll of capitalism, and the complex nature of absolution and ethical responsibility. It became a major bestseller shortly after its release