Doing Life in Paradise

“…hyper-literate and intellectually nimble.”— Kerryn Goldsworthy

Doing Life in Paradise explores the impact and ripple effect of trauma on a group of strangers inextricably linked by, and witness to, a tragic accident. The novel is a surreal voyeuristic journey into the minds and lies of its larger than life characters, each trapped in their own psychological struggle for survival and redemption.

Ruby hopes for love, but her destiny is controlled by a malicious spider. Peter laments the loss of love, but prefers to discuss it with Mr Dishwasher. Madeleine discovers rapture while counting down her periods. Hawkey knows if you lie to your psychologist, you are still telling the truth. And Tommy is a killer.

Through the eyes of its flawed characters, and clipped acerbic prose Doing Life in Paradise exposes the absurdity of life and dependence on hope to find meaning within life’s disinterest. But how can life in a city called Paradise feel anything but cruelly ironic, how can it not be anything but a life sentence?

The novel explores the peculiar places life can take us, while exposing the curious strategies we each employ in order to survive.

About the Author

Gary’s approach to writing, as in life, can be summed up in his wry response to his mother’s forlorn enquiry as to what he actually did? “I think.”

Doing Life In Paradise, his first published novel, culminates years of writing, observation and thinking about the human condition and absurdity. The novel highlights a mature and intelligent writing voice, infused with sardonic wit and pathos, but most of all, as with any keen observer of life, cynicism.

Born and educated in Adelaide Australia, Gary Lines has lived in Sydney, New York and Los Angeles, and finished this novel in Paris. In addition to a Masters degree in creative writing at Flinders University in Adelaide, Gary has studied at the New York University and the New School in New York. He has previously written for the television series Twisted Tales; in addition to successes in short story competitions, his work has been performed by the Queensland Theatre Company and also featured in the acclaimed Australian Book Review.