I am always suspect of author reviews on the back of books.  They always sound too over the top, which actually puts me off the book – and the more there are, the more suspect I become.  However, in the case of black juice, Garth Nix, Martine Murray, David Almond and John Marsden (no meagre list) are spot on.  I am in fact at a loss for words to sum up just how powerful is this collection of short stories. 

From the first story, singing my sister down, which winded me emotionally, to the sending out rite of spring I have been carrying around the stories in my head ever since. 

Here is writing which is at once strong and fragile.  At times sublime, at others harsh and roughly applied in deliberate globs, like palette knife art, grotesque in it’s thick layers of applied paint .  But Lanagan knows what she’s doing – form and sense and clever reminders of life’s truth emerge from these layers of words.  She has a most original voice.  She is able to call objects, creatures, concepts and happenings into existence in a most Shakespearean way.  I know what a ‘pothering’ wind is – and you will too.  And when the scales fall from your eyes and you realise what a ‘the house of three’ is you’ll know why the names of the three of dwell inside are ‘Anneh, Robbreh and Viljastramaratan’. 

Describing her storylines and use of language is like trying to pick the unknown and slightly exotic, yet strangely familiar flavour, in a new dish.

Lines from the story earthly uses sum up for me what a refreshing and important contribution black juice makes to the literature scene: 

‘Those angels started me thinking; their smell was like crushed mint to my brain, breathing open new spaces there that I’d not the faintest notion how to fill.’ 

I just hope lots of literary judges, English teachers, librarians and book buyers open their eyes, minds and purses to the understated strength of Lanagan’s crushed-mint writing.  Expect to see this collection take out many awards in the year that follows.

Review by Sarah Mayor Cox

© 2004 Sarah Mayor Cox