Rated of 5
by Viqui G. (State College, PA) Losing Clementine
Clementine is a talented artist, a bright woman and a very troubled one as well. She tells us in the first chapter that she has made a plan to end her life. As those of us in the medical profession know, when a person has a suicide plan, they are to be taken seriously. And Clementine is serious. But the beauty of this book is that it is not sad or depressing. In fact, it is often hilarious. Clementine is a lively, fascinating and very unconventional character. The reader learns to like her, even with all her eccentricities.
The book is written in the first person, so we "hear" Clementine speak and "listen" to her justifications for her past and present actions. This gives great intimacy to this novel; I felt like I could sit down in Clementine's studio and chat with her. I didn't always agree with her, but I could understand where she was coming from. This book would appeal to women; there is some vulgar language, so that may be off-putting to some.
All in all, "Losing Clementine" was a believable novel and it brought to life a character and a story that I will remember affectionately for a long time.
Rated of 5
by Judith M. (San Diego, CA) Wickedly funny black humor!
I was ready to give up on this book almost from the beginning. But the wickedly funny black humor hooked me and I had to read on. Surprisingly through the humor I was better able to understand what it might be like to live with mental illness and the drugs to treat it. Unfortunately I was left with little hope that her life will improve. Maybe she will be able to endure the dark times and accept the joy that is in her life. I sincerely hope so.
Rated of 5
by Betsy A. (Lady Lake, FL) A Clever Premise
Not many could take the subject of impending suicide and come up with a "page turner", but that's exactly what this first time author has done. The plot thickens, the witty dialogue sparkles, the pithy descriptions are such fun. I really liked the pace of the novel and the clever idea of using one chapter for every day in the protagonist's last month of life. I'd categorize this as a "chick-book" and caution readers not to look for too much in the way of symbolism or universal insights. It's fun reading in the style of a Janet Evanovich novel.
Rated of 5
by Shirley D. (Amherst, MA) LOSING CLEMENTINE
I loved Clementine from the very first page. I had been a little apprehensive knowing that this charming girl was sick enough to commit suicide. Initially I did think it was her illness that was prompting her to wrap up the loose ends of her life. While she made me laugh as she got rid of that tea set, deliberately punished the driver who left his car in the way and dumped her meds (I cheered at that) but I was so entranced, was so much a part of this woman’s life that I wept as she had to find a new home for her cat. I truly forgot that I was reading fiction so skillfully was I taken from laughter to an aching sympathy and to tears .I think Clementine is one of those literary personalities I will never forget and I have been reading and meeting characters for over 70 years. This is a very special piece of work to fit into that category.
Rated of 5
by Deborah D. (Old Forge, NY) Definitely lost Clementine
Did not care for this book. I was not entertained or amused, I just wanted it to end. The ending held what little hope if found.
Rated of 5
by Janet P. (Houston, TX) Losing Clementine ? No-o-way!
Ashley Ream's Clementine in her novel LOSING CLEMENTINE does what every woman wants to do at one time in her life: she eats everything she wants without guilt, dumps her kitchen ware out the window, and, in her despondency over a failed marriage, almost whispers goodbye to life on schedule, in thirty days to be exact in her case.. Her wry sense of dark humor aimed at her own weaknesses offers the reader plenty of food for thought. The novel is not "literature," but it's great reading.
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of 5
by Viqui G. (State College, PA) 
of 5
by Betsy A. (Lady Lake, FL) 
of 5
by Deborah D. (Old Forge, NY) 
