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There are currently 23 member reviews
for Losing Clementine
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Joan V. (Miller Place, NY)
Losing Clementine
If “Clementine” is as good an artist as Ms. Ream is an author she must be terrific. This was a very interesting look into the human psyche, and written in a realistic way, but also very funny. You are immediately swept up into the story because you have so many questions. Right up front: Will she really kill herself? Then: why is she on all the meds? Will she meet her father? and other questions.
Ms. Reams uses a lot of description and I found it to be cinematic, I think the book would make an excellent movie. Once in awhile however, she changes scenes too suddenly but the reader quickly catches up with the story.
There is also a surprising twist that you never see coming. In a book like this predictable would be awful.
I definitely would recommend this book to a friend and think it would be interesting for a book club discussion. I look forward to reading another book by Ms. Ream.
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Cam G. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
LOSING CLEMENTINE
Clementine, a depressed, flip, extremely talented artist is planning her demise within one month's time. She sets out to tie up loose ends, and in do doing, learns more about herself than she realized. What would have ordinarily been a dark story, considering the theme, LOSING CLEMENTINE, is an upbeat, humerous novel about a life that had been frought with tragedy and turmoil. This is Ream's first novel, and I look forward to reading her next book.
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Wendy E. (Mechanicsville, VA)
Dark and light!
The premise is certainly dark. We know Clementine is counting down the days before she kills herself. Yet some of her antics in the days leading up to her "due date" are quite funny/light. We can certainly see the darkness that fills her life, but there are such wonderful elements to her days as well, elements we hope she will realize are really quite wonderful. You'll find yourself hoping Clementine will reevaluate her decisions. This was a great read!
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Marta M. (Santa Ana, CA)
a good read
Everyone will not understand this book, Losing Clementine. It is a story for our time era. Mental illness has soared in the last few decades and we are all trying to find the silver bullet to help these people. At one time in this story, Clementine described her illness like a black monster, not allowing her to breathe. I have heard many times of the dark monster descending upon a person and sometimes never letting them go,encouraging them to want release. This book describes this very well and makes the character sympathetic. I kept rooting for Clementine all through out the story. I strongly recommend this book and hope to read more from Ashley Ream.
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Gary R. (bolingbrook, IL)
Another good read!
Who would of thought that a book about someone who wants to end it all would be so much fun to read! Clementine wants to end it all in 30 days,but wants to tie up a few loose ends before she goes. Funny, witty, an all around enjoyable read! Highly recommended!
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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.
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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.
