Photo: Anna Webber ; cover design: Kathy Bowlin
Whiskey Jelly Blues: a novel
by Justin J. Murphy
ISBN: 978-0-9985073-4-7
Publication Date: September 15, 2018Price: $24.95
Pages: 474
Whiskey Jelly Blues: a novel
Whiskey Jelly Blues explores the complexities of early thirty-something modern life and modern love, marriage, abortion, rock and roll, booze, bartending, art, and artisan pastries. The story follows Cassidy, a half-assed Choose Your Own Adventure erotica novelist and part-time bartender; His wife, Phoenix, a copywriter for a PR company -- biggest client: Rudy's Candy Tampons; and Aunika, Cassidy's childhood best friend, a remarkable blonde, legs like pure suck, a successful donut shop owner and the reason Cassidy and Phoenix may or may not divorce and may or may not end up owning their own donut shop, one that cranks out the finest whiskey-jelly filled bear claws--getting bombed on donuts is awesome, no doubt.
Whiskey Jelly Blues is about the fleeting moments of a wandering generation, The West vs The East, hope and regret, mistakes and forgiveness, all set to a psychedelic blues soundtrack. It's about roses without a scent, life without purpose, life with and without love, mental and literary experimentation, edible marijuana, a perfect tear in your wife's eye, the one that reflects everything, including yourself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Justin J. Murphy was born in London to a Lebanese father and Californian mother. "Murphy" is not his real last name. Based in Topanga, CA, he enjoys mountain life, cosmic vibrations, and good old rock and roll. His debut novel, Lorraine, achieved cult status in the thriving Los Angeles counter-culture scene. His poetry and short stories have been featured in Epicenter, The Café Review, El Portal, and Sixfold as well as several other fine publications. You can watch him do mildly entertaining activities on most social media platforms @justinjmurphy.
Distributed by:
Ingram Book Company |
Baker & Taylor |
Whiskey Jelly Blues
Praise for WHISKEY JELLY BLUES
Hotel Saskatchewan Front Desk,
I have misplaced my copy of Whiskey Jelly Blues in room 512. I can only assume that whoever found it has been swept away in its fast and loose prose, written in a hand as heavy and drunk as Bukowski. When they are finished, can you see that they return it to me so that I may finish it and avoid telling Justin that I left my advance copy in a hotel room along with my brand new Yeti cup? --Jess Carson of Midland
"I promise nothing…" --Spencer Moody of the Murder City Devils
“If you're in the mood to dance, or trip, or drink, or kiss - please read Whiskey Jelly Blues! In this sprawling fairy tale of roses and bunny tattoos and gooballs, you can catch whiffs of Richard Fariña, some Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, and even vintage Tom Robbins. It's a love letter to California, and a testimony to pure imagination.” --Jardine Libaire, author of White Fur
Synopsis: In "Whiskey Jelly Blues", novelist Justin J. Murphy deftly explores the complexities of early thirty-something modern life and modern love, marriage, abortion, rock and roll, booze, bartending, art, and artisan pastries.
The story follows Cassidy, a half-assed Choose Your Own Adventure erotica novelist and part-time bartender; His wife, Phoenix, a copywriter for a PR company -- biggest client: Rudy's Candy Tampons; and Aunika, Cassidy's childhood best friend, a remarkable blonde, legs like pure suck, a successful donut shop owner and the reason Cassidy and Phoenix may or may not divorce and may or may not end up owning their own donut shop, one that cranks out the finest whiskey-jelly filled bear claws -- getting bombed on donuts is awesome, no doubt.
"Whiskey Jelly Blues" is about the fleeting moments of a wandering generation, The West vs The East, hope and regret, mistakes and forgiveness, all set to a psychedelic blues soundtrack. It's about roses without a scent, life without purpose, life with and without love, mental and literary experimentation, edible marijuana, a perfect tear in your wife's eye, the one that reflects everything, including yourself.
Critique: Original, compelling, entertaining, thoughtful and though-provoking, "Whiskey Jelly Blues" by novelist Justin J. Murphy will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Contemporary General Fiction collections. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Whiskey Jelly Blues" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).Midwest Book Review Fiction Shelf
