Paint Your Wife

‘A gentle, whimsical book…Jones’s writing is easy and sophisticated, reminding me of Steinbeck at his humorous best…the whole fanciful sprawl is a delight.’ * Age *
‘A delightful read, moving and uplifting, and loaded with gorgeous prose…this new edition by Text Publishing has wonderfully evocative cover art by W. H. Chong. Highly recommended.’ – BookMooch
’[This] playful, perceptive novel originally came out a decade ago. Its reappearance now completes Text’s publication of his back list—and what an accolade that is…Rooted in domestic detail, yet always liable to soar into the fabulous, the narrative winds through all sorts of transformations towards reverie, reconciliation, and an epiphany of “just as you are, please”…Lloyd Jones has written recently that plot now matters less to him in his writing; that the exploration of language itself is becoming more of a preoccupation. The pleasures of this swooping, sensuous narrative make you hope there’ll be room for both strengths in his future fiction.’ * Weekend Herald *
‘He’s [Jones] an impressive writer who deserves accolades aplenty for his carefully observed literary landscapes.’ * Big Issue Australia *
‘This gentle book about a small community is by an accomplished wordsmith who makes it seem deceptively easy to write such flowing prose.’ * Good Reading *
‘Jones’ deep affection for his characters and the light, anecdotal touch with which he nudges them away from despair makes for a warm and original entertainment.’ * Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review *
‘The writing reminded me a lot of Anne Tyler – it will be enjoyed by fans of domestic, community drama, but made all the more fascinating and unique because its observations are from within the male perspective.’ * BookBrowse *

Lloyd Jones is one of New Zealand’s best known contemporary writers. He has published essays and children’s books, but his best known works include the novels The Book of Fame, winner of numerous literary awards; Biografi, a New York Times Notable Book; Choo Woo; Here at the End of the World We Learn to Dance; Paint Your Wife; HandMe Down World; and the phenomenally successful Mister Pip. Mister Pip won the 2007 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, the Montana Medal for Fiction, and the Kiriyama Writers’ Prize. It was also shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2007. He lives in the Wairarapa.

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