BILLY LYNN'S LONG HALFTIME WALK

A group of American soldiers is being honored for their service, in particular, for surviving a ferocious firefight in Iraq, with a half-time ceremony at a Dallas Cowboys game. They meet the owner, the cheerleaders, and all manner of fans who profess their admiration. Specialist Billy Lynn, though, has questions. And doubts. Over the course of the book he gets a crash course on what it means to be an American, a soldier, and a brother. Narrator Oliver Wyman gives this book the depth and emotional heft it deserves. His understated, deliberate reading propels the story forward, and his scratchy voice perfectly captures the hope and loss inherent in the story. His characters range from straightforward to embellished, a range that seems to be what the author intends. R.I.G. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2012]