Leon Joyce's years with Tess Wachowicz began with an Emanuel Ungaro taffeta ballgown, partof his collection of women's attire kept in three wardrobes at the South Yarra house. Thecollection took in Givenchy, Jacques Fath, Schiaparelli, Madae Gr s, Helmut Lang, ClaireMcCardell, Mainbocher, Miyake, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior, Travis Banton, Pucci andAntony Price.
Leon is a man unburdened by sexual desire. Nonetheless he adores his wife-only partly for theway she wears his exquisite collection of haute couture- and when she becomes ill and dieshe is completely shattered.
Then he discovers her correspondence with an unknown lover, and his suffering veers towardsmadness.
Leon hunkers down at his neglected country property, Joyful, with the entire local supply ofscotch whisky and a bizarre plan to retrieve (posthumously) Tess's devotion.
In this extraordinary comedy of grief, Robert Hillman evokes his characters, from the merelyunconventional to the frankly deranged, with kindness, grace and wit. Joyful is a gift that willleave the reader deeply moved and filled with delight.