A review by eventhedevilreads
Banal Nightmare: A Novel by Halle Butler

dark funny reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“I am normal… I am relaxed.”

After finishing a Halle Butler book I am always left feeling full and empty all at once. 

Banal Nightmare follows a variety of women and men who are simply trying to navigate life, trauma, death and suffering — which is actually just all apart of life. 

Going into this book I figured this would be a strange sci-fi book but as I read more into it the title of this book was incredibly fitting. Their lives (which are very reflective of our lives) are so very dull and depressing but incredibly interesting?!? It’s crazy how Halle Butler can take something so mundane and make it so abnormal that you can’t help but be anything but interested. 

It took me a moment to get into this book but once I hit chapter 5 I was hooked. I throughly enjoyed how introspective each character was. It became ridiculous and borderline insane (yet realistic) how quickly they all spiraled into their thoughts.

I enjoyed getting POV’s from all of the characters, even those we didn’t know or care much about. It let me see outside of what just Moddie thought of these people, this life and all that goes on it. 

If you are looking for a good laugh but also some intense introspection/reflection this is the book for you!

***please check tw’s before reading!!

Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Random House for providing me with this arc in exchange for a honest review!!