Black Juice

As part of a public execution, a young boy forlornly helps to sing his sister down... A servant learns about grace and loyalty from a mistress who would rather dance with Gypsies than sit on her throne... A terrifying encounter with a demonic angel gives a young man the strength he needs to break free of his oppressor... On a bleak and dreary afternoon a gleeful shooting spree leads to tragedy for a desperate clown unable to escape his fate. In each of Margo Lanagan's ten extraordinary stories, human frailty is put to the test by the implacable forces of dark and light, man and beast. Black Juice offers glimpses into familiar, shadowy worlds that push the boundaries of the spirit and leave the mind haunted with the knowledge that black juice runs through us all. Provides glimpses of the dark side of civilization and the beauty of the human spirit through ten short stories that explore significant moments in people's lives, events leading to them, and their consequences. 10 outstanding stories that delight, shock, intrigue, amuse and move the reader to tears with their dazzling imaginative reach, their dark humour, their subtlety, their humanity and depth of feeling.Black Juice is a book of breathtaking stories that defy boundaries. They are dazzling, ruthless, tender, fierce, unique - ten deeply moving stories from an exceptional author. 'A good short story, a really good one, is deceptively difficult to write. Which is why Black Juice is such an outstanding collection. Because every single story in it is, quite simply, perfect. That's what I said: perfect.' Outland, UK 'Black Juice is one of the most imaginative and attractive collections of short stories to appear in more than a decade.' The Weekend Australian 'Always moody, evocative and original, Black Juice is an intensely imaginative collection from an accomplished and distinctive author.' The Age 'These are stories that reward us long after they have been finished.' Sydney Morning Herald 'I want to hire a plane and write BLACK JUICE across the sky so that people will read these intense, rich, disturbing stories.' John Marsden 'This is an extraordinary book of short stories, surprising, breathtaking and beautiful by turn.' Booktrust, UK BLACK JUICE has been recognised in 17 awards internationally. Winner of 2 World Fantasy Awards in 2005 and a VIC Premier's literary award in 2004, BLACK JUICE has also been shortlisted for the NSW & the QLD Premier's literary awards. Singing my sister down My lord's man Red nose day Sweet Pippit House of the many Wooden bride Earthly uses Perpetual light Yowlinin Rite of spring.