Bliss

‘A marvel to read...one “hell” of a good book and undoubtedly the most remarkable Australian novel to be published this year’ The Weekend Australian

BLISS is a masterpiece of illusion that marked Peter Carey's brilliant debut as a novelist, and was later made into an award-winning film. The dilemma of Harry Joy is both funny and terrifying, for Harry wakes up in Hell, tortured by those he loves, and by the dreams and nightmares he once created for profit. Bliss is a shimmering delight - an acrobatic display of language, character and plot.

Peter Carey's hero is a happy innocent; he remembers his childhood as a Vision Splendid, indulges his wife and children, and is universally regarded as a Good Bloke. Then he dies - only for nine minutes, it's a heart attack - and wakes up in Hell. His wife is unfaithful, his partner's a rat, his son pushes drugs, his daughter sells herself, his advertising company promotes products that cause cancer.

Against these torments Carey provides a saviour: hippy Honey Barbara, pantheist, healer, whore. Honey is to Harry as Isis is to Osiris. Together they conquer Hell and retire to the forest where their children inherit the legend of paradise regained..."
Reviews

'Peter Carey's first novel is even better than we might have expected, a sustained and sardonic fable on the folly of being wise.' New Statesman

'Wholly original and unusual, this novel…is a far-out comedy that often approaches absurd brilliance. Harry Joy is a successful middle-aged advertising executive who is unaware that his wife cheats, his son runs dope and his daughter is a Communist. But when he has a heart attack…he believes that he has died and gone to Hell where actors portray family and friends.' Publishers Weekly

'Those of us who row in the galleys of fiction reviewing fall on an author of such talent as on a refreshing and intoxicating drink…A glittering style and an acerbic wit…' The Times

'Let me begin by saying that I suspect this is one of the best novels to be published in Australia for some time…Bliss is a triumph, for Carey and for Australian literature.' Image

'Bliss fascinates and amuses, amazes and appalls, is scintillating and black, savage and sarcastic.' Marion Halligan, Canberra Times

'Bliss is outrageous perfection…madcap, adventurous, engaging, compelling, shocking, moving, funny, sad and inventive.' San Fransisco Bay Reporter