Luck

Description

A dark, sparklingly witty novel about life, love, death and happiness from the natural successor to Carol Shields

One woman is an ex-beauty-queen, one is a recovering addict to virtue, one is an artist. The man of the big old house on the hill, Philip Lawrence, is suddenly dead. These things happen. But Philip's silent departure is bound to have dramatic effects. The abruptly widowed Nora, whose recent works of biblical art have caused a fundamentalist furore in the town where they live, is unexpectedly confronted by solo life in a place she despises. Beth, her wispy, beautiful model, faces losing a haven from her own eerie history, while housekeeper Sophie, a former overseas aid volunteer shattered by trauma, will have to find new ways to resist old compulsions. Luck follows the three days after Philip's death as the women career through circumstances none of them could ever have imagined. 3 days, 3 women. The big question is 'What next?'

Promotion info

Joan Barfoot's last novel, Critical Injuries, was longlisted for the Booker Prize in 2002. Carol Shields said of it 'I have no doubt that this wise, funny, harrowing novel will be the book of the year' Perfect for reading groups Luck has been shortlisted for Canada's most lucrative literary prize, The Giller Prize 'Like the cult television series Six Feet Under and Desperate Housewives, Luck is a sustained, sardonic satire on mortality...[Barfoot's] observations are even-handed in their wisdom and acidity...harrowing and hilarious' Independent on Sunday 'Joan Barfoot reveals how life's contingencies can affect us in unexpected ways...From the start her comic talent is clear, while her eye for 'the miracle of life's sudden perfections' confirms her as a writer of considerable power. Luck is one of her best yet' Daily Mail

Author description

Joan Barfoot is an internationally acclaimed novelist. Her last book, Critical Injuries was longlisted for the Booker Prize and her novel Dancing in the Dark was made into an award-winning film. She lives in London, Ontario.