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.