Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

Ben Fountain's satirical debut novel, Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2012), follows nineteen-year-old specialist Billy Lynn after his heroics at the Battle of Al-Ansakar Canal make him famous.

Following an intense firefight in Iraq that was televised by Fox News, Billy Lynn and his Bravo company are sent home for two weeks in the hope that touring the heroes will help boost the dwindling support for the war effort. Billy was given a Silver Star for his bravery.

As the story opens, the Bravos are waiting for a Hummer stretch limo that is to take them to the Cowboys Thanksgiving Day Game. The men are still struggling to come to terms with the death of Shroom, Bravo Company's sergeant. They attended Shroom's funeral the previous day and encountered protesting fanatical Christians. After, the men got drunk. They begin the day hungover.



As they travel through Thanksgiving traffic, Hollywood movie producer Albert Ratner discusses his film ideas, promising each man $100,000 for the rights to their stories. Albert spends a lot of time on the phone, trying to make deals for the movie. At one point, he tells the men that Hillary Swank wants to play a combination of Billy and Sergeant Dime and at another, he says the movie will be cleared so long as the time period is changed to WWII. The men aren't happy with these suggestions.

As they wait for the game to begin, Billy recollects his reasons for joining the army. His sister Kathryn's fiancé broke off their engagement when she became disfigured in a car accident. Billy took a crowbar to the ex-fiancé's car and proceeded to chase him. For his crimes, Billy was given the choice of Iraq or prison, and he chose the former. Kathryn, feeling responsible, has arranged for Billy to go AWOL with the help of some lawyers who have an anti-war agenda. Billy is uncertain that he can leave his friends in the lurch.

Billy visited his home before the game day. There, he met with his wheelchair-bound father, Ray, his mom, Kathryn, and his older sister, Patty, with her toddler in tow. Following Ray's strokes that left him paralyzed, the family found out about many of his extramarital affairs and a mistress who is suing for child support. Billy learns that his family owes $400,000 in medical bills and is in danger of losing their house.



Back in the present at the Cowboys Stadium, the Jumbotron comes on, and the crowd gives the Bravos a standing ovation. Billy is sickened by the cheers of the populace who have no conception of how terrible the war really is. He receives a few text messages from Pastor Rick, a man he confided in about Shroom's death. The man is taking advantage of Billy's fame, and he regrets speaking with him.

The Bravos participate in a meet-and-greet with several wealthy executives, including Norm Oglesby, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys. During interviews, Billy catches the eye of one of the Cowboys Cheerleaders, Faison. Faison and Billy mess around and agree to meet after the game.

The Bravo Company is finally told their role in the halftime show. First, they will drill on the field, and then they will accompany Destiny's Child onstage. While waiting for their first appearance, the men begin tossing a football around and are interrupted by some roadies who insist that they stop. The men stop but insult the roadies.



Next, the Bravos are invited to watch the kickoff from Norm's private box, and Billy watches Faison through a pair of binoculars before the Bravos are sent back to their seats.

The Bravos are called together for the halftime show where they attempt a drill and then stand in front of Destiny's Child. The pyrotechnics and flashing lights trigger the men’s PTSD, and one of them begins to cry. At the end of the halftime show, the soldiers aren't sure where to go and fight with some of the roadies who are trying to usher them off.

Meanwhile, Norm has decided to produce a movie on their story as well. He gives them a low offer, and they reject it. The Cowboys lose, and the men leave as soon as the game is over.



As they're leaving, some of the roadies jump the Bravos, and a brawl ensues. Major Mac, their PA guy, fires a gun into the air summoning the police and the fight ends. Billy says his goodbyes to Faison who says she will wait for him. He decides then that he won't fight deployment.

Throughout the story, which takes place in a single day, Billy recalls snippets of the firefight that made him famous. Just as the fight began, Shroom had told Billy "I'm going down," seemingly predicting his death. Billy remembers Shroom's death in a hail of gunfire and the moment when their comrade Lake was fighting the medics while they tried to treat him. There, Dime had pulled Billy into a supply closet where the two wept and kissed in a brotherly way.

The novel won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, was a finalist for the 2012 National Book Award, and won the Faherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize. A film adaptation was released in 2016 and garnered mixed reviews.