The Weekend Read No. 17
Let the distractions begin!
BOOKS
Vigil: A Novel
by George Saunders
One of the most anticipated novels of the year has arrived. Saunders’ slim new tale has nods to A Christmas Carol (e.g. ghosts).
Not for the first time, Jill “Doll” Blaine finds herself hurtling toward earth, reconstituting as she falls, right down to her favorite black pumps. She plummets towards her newest charge, yet another soul she must usher into the afterlife, and lands headfirst in the circular drive of his ornate mansion.
She has performed this sacred duty 343 times since her own death. Her charges, as a rule, have been greatly comforted in their final moments. But this charge, she soon discovers, isn’t like the others. The powerful K. J. Boone will not be consoled, because he has nothing to regret. He lived a big, bold, epic life, and the world is better for it. Isn’t it?
Vigil transports us, careening, through the wild final evening of a complicated man. Visitors begin to arrive (worldly and otherworldly, alive and dead), clamoring for a reckoning. Birds swarm the dying man’s room; a black calf grazes on the love seat; a man from a distant, drought-ravaged village materializes; two oil-business cronies from decades past show up with chilling plans for Boone’s postdeath future.
With the wisdom, playfulness, and explosive imagination we’ve come to expect, George Saunders takes on the gravest issues of our time—the menace of corporate greed, the toll of capitalism, the environmental perils of progress—and, in the process, spins a tale that encompasses life and death, good and evil, and the thorny question of absolution.
TELEVISION
Hijack: Season 2
Apple+
I have only seen the first 3 episodes which are now available, but the point is: shows can really change it up season upon season - there’s no need to swap out locations and keep the format the same. This new season is already offering great surprises worth a watch.
Bridgerton: Season 4
Netflix
The wait is longer and longer between these seasons (almost two years due to the long production and post period) but it’s finally here for those of you who celebrate.
MUSIC
After much fanfare, Hilary Duff has announced a world tour to support her upcoming album luck…or something. The album will be out on 20 February. No tour details yet but it won’t be long now…
THEATRE
The Donmar Warehouse Announces its new Season
Have a look at the official announcement below. You know these tickets will be gone before you can say Donmar.
Become a Member or Patron to guarantee your seats.
We’re excited to share the details of our new season for 2026.
First up is Fran Kranz’s debut play Mass. Carrie Cracknell directs a cast including Adeel Akhtar, Amari Bacchus, Monica Dolan, Paul Hilton, Lyndsey Marshal, Rochelle Rose and Susie Trayling in this profoundly moving new play.
Next, Russell Tovey returns to the Donmar to star in The Guilty - a new thriller by Chloë Moss, directed by Punchdrunk’s Felix Barrett.
The season continues with a major revival of A Month in the Country by Brian Friel after Ivan Turgenev, directed by Lyndsey Turner.
And finally announced today is the world premiere of Danny Lee Wynter’s Ilford Boy. Directed by Artistic Director Tim Sheader, this is a funny and moving coming of age drama.
Best Friend Priority Booking opens at 12pm on Tuesday 3 February and Friend Priority Booking opens at 12pm on Wednesday 4 February.
Best Friends can book up to four tickets and Friends can book up to two tickets during the Priority Booking window, ahead of public booking on Friday 6 February.
RSC’s Cyrano de Bergerac
Noël Coward Theatre
13th June - 5th September
I was really miffed when I couldn’t make it to Stratford-upon-Avon to see Adrian Lester in the RSC production of Cyrano, so I was quite tickled to see the announcement of the West End transfer yesterday. This play isn’t performed often enough.
Bon weekend, all!