Bliss novel: Encyclopedia - Bliss novel

Bliss (novel)

Bliss is a novel by Australian writer Peter Carey. Published in 1981, the book won that years Miles Franklin Award.

Written as a dark, comic fable, the story concerns an advertising exectutive, Harry Joy, who briefly 'dies' of a heart attack. On being resuscitated, he realises that the life he has previously drifted aimiably through is in fact Hell - literally so to Harry. His wife is unfaithful with his partner. His son is a communist, selling drugs, and his daughter sells herself to buy them. In one of the novels more shocking scenes, glimpsed through a window, incest occurs.

Redemption comes in the form of Honey Barbara - pantheist, healer, whore. In the words of the book's blurb "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." But Harry must die for a second time to be truly saved.

In 1985 Bliss was adapted into a film, Bliss, directed by Ray Lawrence and starring Barry Otto.

Categories: 1981 books | Australian novels

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