'The New Me' by Halle Butler follows the life of Millie, a disaffected millennial working as a temp in an office setting. The book delves into Millie's struggles with personal hygiene, social interactions, and her aspirations to become a better version of herself. Through a darkly humorous lens, the narrative explores themes of office life, self-discovery, and the challenges faced by young adults in finding their place in the world.
The author, Halle Butler, adopts a sharp and biting writing style to portray the mundane yet chaotic life of Millie. The novel offers a glimpse into the millennial experience, showcasing the protagonist's internal monologues, self-absorbed behaviors, and the subtle cruelties of everyday social interactions. As the story unfolds, Butler skillfully navigates Millie's journey towards self-improvement and self-awareness, painting a convincing portrait of a young woman at a crossroads in her life.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book includes themes of depression, anxiety, and social isolation, which may be triggering for some readers.
From The Publisher:
"[A] definitive work of millennial literature . . . wretchedly riveting." -Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker
"Girls + Office Space + My Year of Rest and Relaxation + anxious sweating = The New Me." -Entertainment Weekly
I'm still trying to make the dream possible: still might finish my cleaning project, still might sign up for that yoga class, still might, still might. I step into the shower and almost faint, an image of taking the day by the throat and bashing its head against the wall floating in my mind.
Thirty-year-old Millie just can't pull it together. She spends her days working a thankless temp job and her nights alone in her apartment, fixating on all the ways she might change her situation-her job, her attitude, her appearance, her life. Then she watches TV until she falls asleep, and the cycle begins again.
When the possibility of a full-time job offer arises, it seems to bring the better life she's envisioning within reach. But with it also comes the paralyzing realization, lurking just beneath the surface, of how hollow that vision has become.
"Wretchedly riveting" (The New Yorker) and "masterfully cringe-inducing" (Chicago Tribune), The New Me is the must-read new novel by National Book Foundation "5 Under 35" honoree and Granta Best Young American novelist Halle Butler.
Named a Best Book of the Decade by Vox, and a Best Book of 2019 by Vanity Fair, Vulture, Chicago Tribune, Mashable, Bustle, and NPR
Ratings (17)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (3) | |
Liked It (5) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (77):
Read It (16) | |
Currently Reading (1) | |
Want To Read (49) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (9) |
1 comment(s)
Really sad
What can you read after
The New Me?
About the Author:
Halle Butler is the author of Jillian and The New Me. She has been named a National Book Award Foundation "5 Under 35" honoree and a Granta Best Young American Novelist.
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