Book Review: ‘Fair Ones,’ by Lydia Millet

Lydia Millet’s double novel Fair Ones marks a notable departure from her typical apocalyptic themes by focusing on a realist, dialogue-driven exploration of gun violence and midlife female friendship. Split into two sections narrated separately by two surviving Brooklyn women, the story examines the aftermath of a close friend's fatal shooting at a bus stop. Rather than relying on traditional allegories or mystery tropes, the narrative uses social interactions, party scenes, and domestic friction to capture the lingering residue of grief. Early critical reception highlights the book's sharp humor, structural innovation, and unsentimental portrayal of human resilience. Ultimately, the sources analyze whether Millet successfully sustains a conversational realism without her trademark ecological and apocalyptic elements.

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