King of Joy

Named a Writer to Watch by the Los Angeles Times, Richard Chiem brings readers a novel that is equal parts sledgehammer and sweet song--a neon, pulsing portrait of grief, and an electrifying story of one woman's survival against all odds.

Corvus has always had an overactive imagination. Growing up, she develops a unique coping mechanism: she can imagine herself out of any situation, no matter how terrible. To get through each day, Corvus escapes into scenes from fantasy novels, pop songs, and action/adventure movies, and survives by turning the everyday into just another role to play in the movie of her life.

After a tragic loss, Corvus finds a sadness so great she cannot imagine it away. Instead, she finds Tim, a pornographer with unconventional methods, who offers her a new way to escape into movies. But when a sinister plot of greed and betrayal is revealed, Corvus must fight to reclaim her independence, and discovers she is stronger than even she could have imagined.

Author: Richard Chiem
Publisher: Soft Skull Press
Published: 03/05/2019
Pages: 192
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.40lbs
Size: 8.20h x 5.50w x 0.70d
ISBN13: 9781593763091
ISBN10: 1593763093
BISAC Categories:
- Fiction | Literary
- Fiction | Thrillers | Psychological
- Fiction | Humorous | Black Humor

About the Author
Richard Chiem is the author of ​You Private Person, which was named one of Publishers Weekly​'s 10 Essential Books of the American West. His work has been published in ​City Arts, ​Vol. 1 Brooklyn​, ​Fanzine​, ​3: AM Magazine​, and ​Moss​, among many other venues. He has taught at Hugo House and at the University of Washington Bothell. He lives in Seattle.