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Bliss

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About this listen

Peter Carey's first novel and first Miles Franklin winner, Bliss remains a work ahead of its time.

It takes dying during a heart attack for Harry Joy to realise that the life he thought was happy is actually hellish. His wife is a cheat, his kids are a source of shame, his company spruiks carcinogens.

While Harry is resuscitated, he will never be the same, for, having seen his own misery, he can no longer deny the injustice around him. But before he can be redeemed, a whole new perdition awaits him in this darkly funny and prescient fable about the idiocy of defiling nature.

©1981 Peter Carey; produced by arrangement with Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd (P)2018 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Fiction Genre Fiction Horror Literary Fiction Metaphysical & Visionary Scary Heartfelt
All stars
Most relevant
A lovely, complex, human story. Carey's debut is amongst his best works. Truly satisfying 9/10

highly recommended

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I saw the Ray Lawrence film of this book in the early 90’s. It became one of my all time favourite films. It’s still as relevant today as when Peter Carey wrote this book. I read it and have now listened to it. Beautifully narrated.
My appreciation is part sentimental and part a love of the books concepts.
Beautiful storytelling craft.

The Vision Splendid

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I saw the film when I was in my early 20s and the story has haunted me for many years. It’s magical and irreverent and tells us about time, and journeys, communicating a deep yearning for nature and living simply. It is so wonderfully read by Humphrey Bowers that I was dreading the final chapter, lulled as I was into the soulful world of Harry Joy.

Didn’t want it to end - wonderful narration

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