Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

by Ben Fountain
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Political, Military, Adventure
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £10.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 6018
  • Added: 2025-10-29
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780857864390
  • Publisher: Canongate Books
  • Published: 2012-07-05
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Nineteen-year-old Billy Lynn is thrust into the spotlight after a video of his bravery in combat goes viral. Sent on a Victory Tour across America, he mixes with the rich and powerful, enduring the politics and praise of his fellow citizens. Amidst the glamour, Billy grapples with the stark contrast between his celebrity status and the grim reality of war he must soon return to. His journey is a poignant exploration of honor, duty, and the personal cost of heroism. /n/n As Billy navigates the final hours of the tour, he falls in love and confronts hard truths about life, death, family, and friendship. The novel offers a raw and unflinching look at the psychological and emotional toll of war on a young soldier, blending satire and heartfelt introspection.

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.

Gilmore Guide to Books · Catherine · 2014-12-03
impressive 4.00

The novel is an impressive and relentless exploration of a soldier's experience, with scenes that are both intense and memorable. It is a powerful and impactful work.

The reviewer describes the novel as an impressive and relentless exploration of a soldier's experience. The reviewer notes that the novel's intense and memorable scenes effectively convey the soldier's emotional and psychological state. The reviewer also praises the novel's exploration of themes such as class, privilege, and the disconnect between soldiers and civilians, noting that it is a powerful and impactful work. The reviewer concludes that the novel is a memorable and thought-provoking work that leaves a lasting impression.

Quick quotes

    I thought this was an impressive book.

    There are scenes that are just relentless.

    The book is a memorable and thought-provoking work.

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.

Appears in Lists