For most people, one of the most important parts of patriotism is supporting the troops. After all, this group has been praised for sacrificing their lives in order for us to enjoy freedoms. While that noble truth remains common, there is something more damning at the heart of Ben Fountain's densely layered "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk" that suggests that we could be doing better. Over the course of one weekend, Fountain focuses on a troop, dubbed by the media as "The Bravos," who experienced some crucial combat. But what should've been a simple victor turns complicated as a fallen soldier's story comes into the mix and a halftime show brings forth endless traumatic experiences. Fountain argues that while we should support the troops, we should also try and do a better job of understanding them.
When introduced to The Bravos, there is the assumption that everything is fine. They're your typical group of men, constantly talking about having sex with halftime performer Beyonce and admiring the elaborate gift shop of The Dallas Cowboys. Their enthusiasm for this world is only matched by the feeling of respect that they begin the story with. They imagine that they'll be having movies made about their mission, leading to a running joke that Hillary Swank will play the lead. Fountain does an impeccable job of making the reader feel like they're standing alongside these young men, enjoying the inside jokes and dreaming of what the weekend will bring.
The issue is that this comes with some revelations, especially from protagonist Billy Lynn. This visit to watch The Cowboys isn't the victory lap on a successful mission. It is a mere detour for a return to combat. Suddenly the story begins to become a narrative about the cyclical nature of War on Terrorism, the way that American ideology seeks to thrive off of a war, where football players dream of combat though Lynn knows they wouldn't stand a chance. Lynn is scarred with PTSD, doing everything to feel normal including flirting with cheerleaders. As he meets various financiers and religious figures who seek to congratulate him, there's something that rings hollow. They support the troops, but mostly in the way that a person supports a servant.
What's great about the novel is how he balances tone, finding humor constantly popping through to alleviate the darker moments. Everything is a continuing observation, finding the buzzwords of the moment flashing through Lynn's mind. It's a reflection of how America is convinced that the war is a product, a need for freedom. But what about Lynn and The Bravos? Don't they matter? None of them will stand a chance of owning a football team. They probably couldn't even buy a leather jacket from the store. The people who do that help to explore the economic disparity, breaking the belief that hard work will lead to any substantial change.
While the novel may at times be middling or redundant, it's the titular halftime walk that ends up being the best part of the story. Not a lot of the story depicts the struggles of war, and yet the way that Fountain conveys marching around a field in a specific order is brought to life with its own horrific experience. The PTSD of these characters shine as fireworks explode, the music blasts and crowds cheer. It's a perfect symbolism for war as a spectator's sport, and it helps to solidify the conflicts going on. America wants to believe that it's celebrating freedom, but without any deeper understanding, are they doing anything constructive to make their lives better? It's clear that The Bravos are there for their own amusement.
What it lacks in being a gripping narrative it more than makes up for with style and theme. Fountain's understanding of these characters makes them a joy to be around, even as they get into juvenile humor and revel in stories of vandalism. The Bravos may be a bit obnoxious, but they're a lovable kind. By the end, the reader realizes that they're just kids trying to figure out their lives. It's endearing, adding heart to the complex themes that Fountain has on display. When it's poignant, it wallops with a ton of force. It makes the reader convinced of these characters' humanity and why it isn't just enough to support them. Sometimes it takes listening and trying to change their lives for the better. They don't want a bit half time show. They just want someone who cares about them as a person.
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