Sad Janet : a novel
(Book)

"This dark-comedic novel is about a woman, Janet, who wears a cloak of gloomy realism, until one summer when she learns of a new pill that offers even confirmed cynics a short-term taste of happiness. Her family stages an intervention, her boyfriend leaves her, and she decides to take the pill to get through the Christmas holiday. What follows is life-changing for all concerned, in ways no one expected"--,Provided by publisher.

Janet works at a rundown dog shelter in the woods. She wears black; her brain is full of anxiety; she has a meddlesome family, eccentric coworkers. Most of all, Janet has her sadness-- a comfortable cloak she uses to insulate herself from the oppression of the world. When word spreads about a new pill that offers even cynics like her a short-term taste of happiness-- just long enough to make it through the holidays without wanting to stab someone with a candy cane-- her family stages an intervention. Janet decides to give them what they want. The result is life-changing for all concerned-- but in ways no one quite expects. -- adapted from jacket