Synopses & Reviews
Halle Butler's debut explores how two people use self-deception and hostility to deal with their lives. Megan, a bitter young medical secretary, takes a break from her overwhelming feelings of social rejection by keeping track of the disgusting habits of her co-worker, Jillian. Meanwhile, Jillian's misguided "go for it!" attitude leads her towards a series of unadvisable decisions.
Review
"This book is incredible. The deadpan way it nails what it is to be a human who lies to herself and tells different lies to everyone else makes me want to laugh and scream. It is hilarious and weird, my two favorite qualities in a book."
Lindsay Hunter, author of Ugly Girls and Don't Kiss Me
"An authentic and beautiful portrait of a self-proclaimed asshole."
Chelsea Martin, author of Even Though I Don't Miss You
"Halle Butlers Jillian is a wry, smart portrait of two women set on separate courses of self-destruction, each of them judging the other on the way down. This is a bold debut, a quick, vicious ride."
Cari Luna, author of The Revolution of Every Day
"Goddamn Halle Butler. What she's written here is a hilariously brutal tale of a woman destroying herself with cheery selfishness. I laughed myself nauseous watching the people surrounding Jillian struggle between exasperated judgment and aggravated compassion. Never before have a pair of characters made me so sick with hatred and empathy at once. Butler is writing exactly what I want to read."
Jac Jemc, author of My Only Wife
"Halle Butler is a self-assured new voice in fiction, bringing fresh humor and originality to her engaging debut."
Elizabeth Crane, author of We Only Know So Much
Synopsis
Jillian dreams of an idyllic future. Megan hates Jillian. They search for identity while answering phones and filing colonoscopies.
Synopsis
Halle Butler's debut explores how people use fantasy and obsession to navigate the mundanity of modern life. Megan, a gastroenterologist's receptionist, survives phone calls and colonoscopy x-rays by keeping track of the annoying things her co-worker Jillian does. Meanwhile, Jillian's quest for self-actualization leads to fantastical dreams of her future.
About the Author
Halle Butler is a writer living in Chicago. Her work has been published in Hobart, Proximity Magazine, and redlightbulbs. She also co-writes movies, the most recent of which, Crimes Against Humanity, has screened at the Gene Siskel Film Center and Doc Films. Jillian is her first novel.