Take a look at what's inside ShameJoy, a new collection of nine darkly funny short stories by Julie Hill launched in Wellington, New Zealand by Giant Sparrow Press on 3 June 2014.
THE PAVLOVA DEBACLE
New Zealand is at war with Australia. Their relationship seems to be over, with no hope of resolution. Meanwhile, it's Caramel's first day of school and all she wants is a visit from her dead Uncle Jeff.
WHISTLE SOLO
Soft rock artist Maus finds himself in the right place at the right time when the Iron Curtain is opening and the Berlin Wall is coming down. Could he be a prophet without realising it? Paranoid Rex hides Pania in an underground bunker and forces her to release a single about the end of the world.
FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT
Patrick is a journalist who needs to write one last story before he can go to the pub. Maurice is a former cult leader and convicted paedophile who is returning to the community. Heather has a worrying encounter with her psychiatrist boss. Her twin Hazel gets drunk and meets someone called Blessed who remembers her, but who she cannot remember.
CATASTROPHIST OF NEWTOWN
Redheaded Pole Con walks the streets of Newtown, meets his psychiatrist whose head reminds him of an ice cream, attends his Uncle Con's 80th birthday and has an unfortunate incident with a woman who he admires from afar.
LOVE MOUNTAIN
Barney's dad has died from being kicked by a horse. With his inheritance, Barney buys himself a motorbike so he can leave he tiny town of Love Mountain; the only problem being that he can't drive. Derek asks for God's help with his philandering, and Violet has her own dark secret.
I WON'T BE HAPPY UNTIL I LOSE A LEG
O'Gradient is an artist on the verge of greatness, who has an unfortunate preoccupation with losing a limb. She amasses fans who she ignores, though the invade her house and her life, preferring to speak to her imaginary friend Bob, a sort of personal trainer slash mentor.
EVERYONE I'VE EVER SLEPT WITH
Sex with an exchange student in the bushes, with a guy called Damo and another called Pete, with superstar MC Romeo, with violent ropehead Nigel; imagined love, unrequited love, love on the side of the road after an accident.
ICH BIN DON JUAN
In a language class in Germany, the students try to defy their cultural stereotypes, except for the New Zealander, who apparently doesn't have one. Potential for misunderstanding is everywhere.
THE END
Tricky leaves his beautiful fiancé at the altar while he goes surfing and shows James Joyce fans around a Dublin that doesn't exist. Dave the fawn and his twin sister Katie cast a spell on Tricky because he thinks they are real. Tricky's mother doesn't approve of any of it.
THE PAVLOVA DEBACLE
New Zealand is at war with Australia. Their relationship seems to be over, with no hope of resolution. Meanwhile, it's Caramel's first day of school and all she wants is a visit from her dead Uncle Jeff.
WHISTLE SOLO
Soft rock artist Maus finds himself in the right place at the right time when the Iron Curtain is opening and the Berlin Wall is coming down. Could he be a prophet without realising it? Paranoid Rex hides Pania in an underground bunker and forces her to release a single about the end of the world.
FOR THEY SHALL INHERIT
Patrick is a journalist who needs to write one last story before he can go to the pub. Maurice is a former cult leader and convicted paedophile who is returning to the community. Heather has a worrying encounter with her psychiatrist boss. Her twin Hazel gets drunk and meets someone called Blessed who remembers her, but who she cannot remember.
CATASTROPHIST OF NEWTOWN
Redheaded Pole Con walks the streets of Newtown, meets his psychiatrist whose head reminds him of an ice cream, attends his Uncle Con's 80th birthday and has an unfortunate incident with a woman who he admires from afar.
LOVE MOUNTAIN
Barney's dad has died from being kicked by a horse. With his inheritance, Barney buys himself a motorbike so he can leave he tiny town of Love Mountain; the only problem being that he can't drive. Derek asks for God's help with his philandering, and Violet has her own dark secret.
I WON'T BE HAPPY UNTIL I LOSE A LEG
O'Gradient is an artist on the verge of greatness, who has an unfortunate preoccupation with losing a limb. She amasses fans who she ignores, though the invade her house and her life, preferring to speak to her imaginary friend Bob, a sort of personal trainer slash mentor.
EVERYONE I'VE EVER SLEPT WITH
Sex with an exchange student in the bushes, with a guy called Damo and another called Pete, with superstar MC Romeo, with violent ropehead Nigel; imagined love, unrequited love, love on the side of the road after an accident.
ICH BIN DON JUAN
In a language class in Germany, the students try to defy their cultural stereotypes, except for the New Zealander, who apparently doesn't have one. Potential for misunderstanding is everywhere.
THE END
Tricky leaves his beautiful fiancé at the altar while he goes surfing and shows James Joyce fans around a Dublin that doesn't exist. Dave the fawn and his twin sister Katie cast a spell on Tricky because he thinks they are real. Tricky's mother doesn't approve of any of it.
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