Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

by Ben Fountain
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Literary Fiction
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Technical
  • ID: 6018
  • Added: 2025-10-29
  • Updated: 2025-10-31
  • ISBN: 9780857864390
  • Publisher: Canongate Books
  • Published: 2012-07-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Nineteen-year-old Billy Lynn returns from Iraq as a hero, his bravery captured on film and turned into a viral sensation. Sent on a nationwide Victory Tour, Billy mixes with the rich and powerful, enduring both praise and politics. As the final hours of the tour approach, he grapples with hard truths about life, death, and the meaning of heroism. The novel delves into the complexities of Billy's experiences, highlighting the stark contrast between the glamour of celebrity and the harsh realities of war. /n/n Billy's journey is not just a physical one but also an emotional and psychological exploration. He falls in love, confronts the expectations of his family and friends, and ultimately faces the inevitable return to the battlefield. The story is a poignant commentary on the cost of war and the often hollow celebrations of those who fight it.

Reviews
Sparrow Dove · 2020-10-16
good 3.00

The book is described as a sharp satire, but it doesn't fully live up to that description. The characters and their experiences are compelling, but the satire feels muted.

While this book is often described as a sharp satire, it doesn't quite hit the mark. The story is engaging, and the characters are well-developed, but the satire feels more subdued than one might expect. The narrative is compelling, and the exploration of the disconnect between the public and the soldiers is thought-provoking. However, the humor and critique are not as biting as one might hope. It's a good read, but it doesn't fully deliver on its promise of sharp satire.

Quick quotes

    Billy Lynn is described as 'a sharp satire', but it doesn't feel very satirical somehow.

    It doesn't feel particularly sharp – probably because the characters are so well-developed.

    The story is engaging, and the characters are well-developed, but the satire feels muted.

Cannonball Read · Manimama · 2019-04-21
excellent 4.50

The book is a powerful exploration of the emotional and psychological states of soldiers returning from war. The characters are deeply relatable, and the narrative is both moving and insightful.

This book is a profound exploration of the emotional and psychological turmoil that soldiers experience upon returning from war. The characters are beautifully crafted, and their journeys are both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The narrative is deeply moving, and the themes of class, privilege, and the impact of war are handled with sensitivity and insight. It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. The reviewer loved this book and found the characters to be incredibly relatable and compelling.

Quick quotes

    Billy and his fellow soldiers are by turns giddy, furious and terrified and sometimes all at once.

    I loved this book, I loved these characters.

    The book is a gripping, eloquent provocation.

The Guardian · 2012-07-06
brilliant 4.00

The novel is a sharp satire that effectively critiques the disconnect between the American public and the soldiers fighting in Iraq. The characters are vividly drawn, and the narrative is both humorous and poignant.

This novel is a razor-sharp satire that delves into the stark contrast between the glamorous world of American football and the grim realities of war. The protagonist, Billy Lynn, and his fellow soldiers are portrayed with such depth and authenticity that readers can't help but feel implicated in the ethical dilemmas they face. The humor is dark and biting, making the satire all the more effective. It's a gripping and thought-provoking read that will leave a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    The novel's success lies in Fountain's mostly neutral storytelling.

    The characters have their agendas, but Fountain's stays mostly hidden.

    Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk is a razor-sharp satire set in Texas during America's war in Iraq.

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