Fiction is full of characters but they are seldom as individual or as memorably rendered and irresistible as Clementine Pritchard is in Ashley Ream’s boldly written debut novel, LOSING CLEMENTINE. From the start it’s clear that Clementine is planning to kill herself. She’s given herself thirty days to pull off a clinical, no-muss-no-fuss suicide. The reveal of her motive develops page-by-page through Clementine’s often abrasive, yet compellingly honest voice that comes spiked with great doses of fall down laughing gallows humor.Some say suicide is the ultimate act of selfishness, but faced with the heartrending circumstances of Clementine’s life, the tragedy that lies in her past, its horrible legacy that has resulted in some form of pain for her and those whom she has loved every day since, it would seem that killing herself would bring the ultimate relief. What is striking, riveting even, is that as the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that her decision is less to do with her own release and driven more by her concern—gallows humor aside—for everyone else. You might say in her case it is the ultimate act of love.
But will she go through with it?
This novel is a real page turner, one you do not want to miss.
For more about Ashley, visit her website.
This is for sure at the top of my reading list :)
ReplyDeleteBarbara, thank you so much for the kind words! As writers, if we can just manage to tell the truth, I think we've done a good thing. It means so much to hear you found honesty - and great humor - with Clementine.
ReplyDeleteAll the best.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Ashley, and leaving a comment. I totally agree about the honesty part. I think readers can tell and to me, a story that rings true just resonates for a long while after. I know you must be working on something new and I'm glad....
ReplyDeleteKerri, thank you for coming by and for commenting. I think you will be engrossed by this book....
ReplyDelete