Who Would Like This Book:
If you've ever slogged through a thankless office job or felt awkwardly out of sync with 'adulting,' this darkly funny novel will feel almost uncomfortably familiar. Halle Butler's sharp, observant writing is relentlessly honest, skewering the mundanity and absurdity of modern work culture and the pressure to reinvent ourselves. Fans of deadpan, cringe-worthy humor, snarky social commentary, and books like "My Year of Rest and Relaxation" will appreciate its wry, satirical voice. It's a quick read, packed with relatable moments and pitch-perfect depictions of office life and millennial malaise.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you need a dose of optimism or warm, fuzzy vibes from your fiction, this one might not be your jam. The protagonist and cast are intentionally unlikable, and the story leans into discomfort, apathy, and socially awkward moments. Some readers found the bleakness a bit too real, or were frustrated by the lack of a traditional plot or character growth, seeing it as a parade of complaints without much forward motion. If you prefer uplifting narratives or sympathetic characters, you might find this just too depressing or cynical.
About:
'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 (35)
Incredible (5) | |
Loved It (8) | |
Liked It (9) | |
It Was OK (7) | |
Did Not Like (6) |
Reader Stats (127):
Read It (33) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (75) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (13) |
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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