''More Joy in Heaven'' is a novel written by

Canadian Canadians (french: Canadiens) are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of ...

author

Morley Callaghan Edward Morley Callaghan (February 22, 1903 – August 25, 1990) was a Canadian novelist, short story writer, playwright, and TV and radio personality. Biography Of Canadian/English-immigrant parentage,Clara Thomas, ''Canadian Novelists 192 ...

and published in 1937. The central figure, Kip Caley, was inspired by

Norman Ryan Norman "Red" Ryan, (July 8, 1895 – May 23, 1936) was a notorious gangster in early 20th century Toronto, Ontario. He came from an Irish Catholic upbringing and he took to the streets as a young man to engage in crime. He was called the ' Jesse J ...

(1895-1936), a criminal who had committed a number of robberies in

Quebec Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

and the United States. The title derives from the biblical quote "''I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance''." Luke 15:7. Callaghan's friend

Ernest Hemingway Ernest Miller Hemingway (July 21, 1899 – July 2, 1961) was an American novelist, short-story writer, and journalist. His economical and understated style—which he termed the iceberg theory—had a strong influence on 20th-century fic ...

had also considered writing a novel based on Ryan's life. As a reporter for ''

The Toronto Daily Star The ''Toronto Star'' is a Canadian English-language broadsheet daily newspaper. The newspaper is the country's largest daily newspaper by circulation. It is owned by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary of Torstar Corporation and par ...

'', Hemingway had covered the criminal in 1925. Dramatised as a radio play by

Donald Jack Donald Lamont Jack (6 December 1924 – 2 June 2003) was an English and Canadian novelist and playwright. Life Jack was born in Radcliffe, Bury, England and grew up in Britain, attending the well regarded Bury Grammar School and Marr College an ...

for CBC Theatre 10:30.

Plot introduction

Powerful and moving Story of an Ex-Criminal's struggle for rehabilitation.

Synopsis

The story of Kip Caley, an ex-criminal, intent on becoming a useful and honourable human being. His struggle with himself and with a society which will not let him regain his human dignity.

List of Main Characters

Kip Caley-protagonist, Kip was in jail for 10 years for robbing banks all around the six. Kip was let out around Christmas( a time for new beginnings). He tries to have a normal and simple life after he is out but is glamorized by local reporters and journalists. Other important characters in the book are Julie, Father Butler, Senator Maclean, Kip's mother, Harvey Jenkins, Judge Ford, Foley and Kerrmann.

References

Brian Busby Brian John Busby (born August 29, 1962) is a Canadian literary historian and anthologist. Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, he attended John Abbott College and Concordia University. Busby began his writing career writing daytime soap operas and ...

, ''Character Parts: Who's Really Who in Canlit'', Toronto: Knopf Canada, 2003. New Canadian Library 1937 Canadian novels Novels by Morley Callaghan {{Canada-novel-stub