More Joy in Heaven (New Canadian Library) [Mass Market Paperback]

Morley Callaghan (Author), Margaret Avison (Afterword)

Book Description

Series: New Canadian Library | Publication Date: July 1, 1992

Based on a real-life character, More Joy in Heaven is a gripping account of the tragic plight of young Kip Caley, a notorious bank-robber released early from prison and feted by society as a returning prodigal son.

Earnest, optimistic, and fired by reformist zeal, Kip eventually comes to realize that the welcome of his supporters is superficial and that their charity is driven by self-interest.

More Joy in Heaven was first published in 1937.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Based on a real-life character, More Joy in Heaven is a gripping account of the tragic plight of young Kip Caley, a notorious bank-robber released early from prison and feted by society as a returning prodigal son.

Earnest, optimistic, and fired by reformist zeal, Kip eventually comes to realize that the welcome of his supporters is superficial and that their charity is driven by self-interest.

More Joy in Heaven was first published in 1937.

About the Author

Morley Callaghan’s literary circle included Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Joyce. In a career spanning more than six decades, he published sixteen novels and more than one hundred works of short fiction.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: New Canadian Library (July 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0771099568
• ISBN-13: 978-0771099564
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.5 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,205,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A frustrating and moving book., August 11, 2003

By 

"untoward" (Halifax, Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: More Joy in Heaven (New Canadian Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

I read "More Joy in Heaven" by Morley Callaghan in a few short hours. I don't think I have ever been so frustrated and moved by a book. It lays the most horrible and beautiful aspects of human nature out along side one another, and I can't understand how a man (Callaghan) can have such clear vision.

The main character (Kip) is a convicted bank robber who believed that he was above everyone else. It was this sense of detachment that allowed him to commit his crimes without guilt, and which eventually got him stuck in prison. But once in prison Kip began to realize that there was more to life than being a headline. He began to slowly reform himself. He wanted to be like other people, to be with them, as friends and as equals. He wanted to lead a normal life.

The novel starts as he is being released on parole. His release was organized by a chairitable senator, inspired by the completeness of Kip's reform. Once free, Kip had intended to work as a garbage man, or as a street cleaner, but he finds himself a sudden celebrity. I don't want to ruin the novel, so I won't describe any more, but I will say that Callaghan does not write one dimensional characters. This book is captivating and has a ring of truth that makes the mistakes of the main character all the more harrowing.

I strongly reccomend this book.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book about the life and times of an ex-con, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: More Joy in Heaven (New Canadian Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

Morley Callghan portrays Kip Caley as a man who is released from prison due to his good behaviour. As a result of his good behaviour he is praised amongst the town. Things turn bad when Kip loses his job and the town gets tired of his image.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Startling revelation into the mind of a criminal, January 9, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: More Joy in Heaven (New Canadian Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

A well written novel based on the life of a born again criminal who's life goes from bad to good to worse, very dramatic, quick read.