Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain, published by Ecco on May 1, 2012, is a novel that explores the complexities of war and heroism through the eyes of a young soldier. This edition spans 320 pages and is presented in English. The story follows nineteen-year-old Specialist Billy Lynn and his Bravo Squad, who have become national heroes after a harrowing encounter with Iraqi insurgents. As they participate in a media-driven tour to bolster public support for the war, they find themselves at Texas Stadium on Thanksgiving Day, where the realities of their experiences clash with the patriotic fervor surrounding them.
Readers will find a narrative that combines elements of satire and poignant reflection on the Iraq War, delving into themes of valor, loss, and the absurdity of war. Throughout the day, Billy navigates interactions with various characters, including wealthy patrons and a cheerleader, while grappling with his own emotions and the weight of his experiences. This novel presents a vivid portrayal of the challenges faced by veterans and the societal perceptions of military service, making it a significant contribution to contemporary fiction.
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Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and a finalist for the National Book Award
“Brilliantly done . . . grand, intimate, and joyous.” —New York Times Book Review
From the PEN/Hemingway Award-winning author of the critically acclaimed short story collection, Brief Encounters with Che Guevara, comes Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk (“The Catch-22 of the Iraq War” —Karl Marlantes).
Three minutes and forty-three seconds of intensive warfare with Iraqi insurgents—caught on tape by an embedded Fox News crew—has transformed the eight surviving men of Bravo Squad into America’s most sought-after heroes. Now they’re on a media-intensive nationwide tour to reinvigorate public support for the war. On this rainy Thanksgiving Day, the Bravos are in Texas Stadium, slated to be part of the halftime show.
Among the Bravos is nineteen-year-old Specialist Billy Lynn. Surrounded by patriots sporting flag pins on their lapels and support our troops bumper stickers, he is thrust into the company of the team’s owner and his coterie of wealthy colleagues; a born-again cheerleader; a veteran Hollywood producer; and supersized players eager for a vicarious taste of war. Over the course of this day, Billy will drink and brawl, yearn for home and mourn those missing, face a heart-wrenching decision and discover pure love and a bitter wisdom far beyond his years.
Poignant, riotously funny, and exquisitely heartbreaking, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk is a searing and powerful novel that has cemented Ben Fountain’s reputation as one of the finest writers of his generation.
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