COSMO COSMOLINO

Janet is a skeptic, a journalist; Maxine revels in New Age fantasies; and Ray, a drifter, is a born-again Christian. The common ground is the house they share. But their fragile domestic balance is about to explode amid the smashing of ukeleles, the unexpected ascension of an angel, and a sudden shower of jonquils.

First published in 1992, this was the last book of fiction Helen Garner wrote for 15 years. It's been out of print for some time and Text is publishing it as part of its forthcoming Classics series. The Text Classics Series, to be launched in May 2012, is designed to unearth some of the lost marvels of our literature, and to allow readers to rediscover wonderful books they have never forgotten. These books are milestones in the Australian experience, and they still have much to say to us, undiminished in their power to delight, challenge and surprise.

This edition of COSMO COSMOLINO will be introduced by Ramona Koval, a leading Australian writer, journalist and broadcaster.

Helen Garner is the author of, most recently, The Spare Room.