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Losing Clementine
A fresh, fun, totally addictive debut—by turns hilarious and tragic—by a gifted new writer, Losing Clementine follows a famous artist as she attempts to get her messy affairs in order en route to her eventual planned suicide a month later. First time author Ashley Ream takes a usually macabre subject and makes it accessible, relatable, and funny, and, in Clementine, has created one of the most endearing and unforgettable characters in recent fiction.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2012
91 people are currently reading
1315 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Ream
3 books187 followersAshley Ream got her first job at a newspaper when she was 16. After working in newsrooms across Missouri, Florida and Texas, she gave up the deadlines to pursue fiction. Her debut novel, Losing Clementine, which sold at auction, was a Barnes & Noble debut pick, a Sutter Home Book Club pick and was short-listed for the Balcones Fiction Prize. She and her books have appeared in L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles Magazine, Bust Magazine, the Kansas City Star and Marathon & Beyond Magazine, among many others. After a decade in Los Angeles, she recently moved to Wisconsin where she runs ultramarathons and is finishing her next novel. Her new book, The 100 Year Miracle, is coming in Spring of 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
August 20, 2016
This is a book about a woman's struggle with depression, mental illness and suicide. Right from the first page, we learn that Clementine has given herself 30 days to live before she takes her own life. In that time, she's tying up loose ends and trying to construct a satisfying conclusion to her life. Clementine is a fascinating person. She's witty, funny and beautiful and externally might seem like she has everything together but she's haunted by her father's disappearance and her mother and sister's deaths.
This book has a unorthodox approach to discussing mental health. Most books would talk about depression's causes, effects and what exactly it is. And to an extent, Losing Clementine certainly does deal with these subjects. But I think this book is far more concerned with the weight of responsibility that comes with depression and how it alters morality. Is there a responsible way to commit suicide? Is she responsible for her actions if she won't be around to experience their effects? Can she morally justify suicide?
Clementine's story is not by any means representative of all cases of depression, but it is one valid experience. Although the circumstances of each individual's mental health might be unique, the moral crises that come with them are universal. Whether or not you might suffer from mental illness, this book will be an exercise in empathy and it has certainly expanded my understanding of the infinite complexities of depression and the people who experience it.
As far as the writing goes, it's almost excessively snarky. Keyword: almost. Clementine's (who is also the narrator) is a solid Chandler Bing on the sarcas-o-meter and man is it ever relentless. I found it hilarious personally but I could see it being too much for some others. Whether or not it's an intentional excess of sarcasm on Ashley Reams' part or if its just the way she thinks and writes is beyond me. Strange in a way that a book on depression makes you laugh more than cry.
This book has a unorthodox approach to discussing mental health. Most books would talk about depression's causes, effects and what exactly it is. And to an extent, Losing Clementine certainly does deal with these subjects. But I think this book is far more concerned with the weight of responsibility that comes with depression and how it alters morality. Is there a responsible way to commit suicide? Is she responsible for her actions if she won't be around to experience their effects? Can she morally justify suicide?
Clementine's story is not by any means representative of all cases of depression, but it is one valid experience. Although the circumstances of each individual's mental health might be unique, the moral crises that come with them are universal. Whether or not you might suffer from mental illness, this book will be an exercise in empathy and it has certainly expanded my understanding of the infinite complexities of depression and the people who experience it.
As far as the writing goes, it's almost excessively snarky. Keyword: almost. Clementine's (who is also the narrator) is a solid Chandler Bing on the sarcas-o-meter and man is it ever relentless. I found it hilarious personally but I could see it being too much for some others. Whether or not it's an intentional excess of sarcasm on Ashley Reams' part or if its just the way she thinks and writes is beyond me. Strange in a way that a book on depression makes you laugh more than cry.
March 10, 2012
This is a mixed review because I feel very mixed about it. First of all, the writing is rock solid. Ream gets right into the emotional detail without beating it over our heads. She is clear and concise. Much like Clementine is. Clementine only has 30 days to live. Which leads to my next point.
I loved the way the book is set up. The chapters are days. It begins with Clementine, an artistic and bipolar artist, choosing to commit suicide in 30 days time. That's enough time to get her life in order and do everything she has wanted to do without the worry of consequences. She's ready to clean out her life. She starts with throwing out her tea set into the street. She flushes her medications. She fires her assistant and her psychiatrist. She runs into the car that always parks six inches in her driveway and treats herself to the best food she's always loved. That's Day 30. Then it's a countdown.
This is both bothersome and beautiful. The relationships Clementine has are complicated and seeking closure. She struggles to cut off all her relationships while looking for her father who abandoned her when she was a child. A couple of years later, Clementines mother and sister die, leaving her to her quirky Aunt Trudy.
During the course of the month, as stated above, Clementine's relationships are hashed out and it is raw and gritty. There is a lot of sex and more detail than I've seen in quite awhile. It's not erotic but more factual and definitely TMI. And then again. And then again. And then a little bit more. Basically, Clementine has also misplaced her moral compass so gear up and be prepared.
If I could take out the details of Clementine's rendezvous', I'd raise the stars by a half to a whole. For me, it blighted the brilliant ideas and writing style.
I loved the way the book is set up. The chapters are days. It begins with Clementine, an artistic and bipolar artist, choosing to commit suicide in 30 days time. That's enough time to get her life in order and do everything she has wanted to do without the worry of consequences. She's ready to clean out her life. She starts with throwing out her tea set into the street. She flushes her medications. She fires her assistant and her psychiatrist. She runs into the car that always parks six inches in her driveway and treats herself to the best food she's always loved. That's Day 30. Then it's a countdown.
This is both bothersome and beautiful. The relationships Clementine has are complicated and seeking closure. She struggles to cut off all her relationships while looking for her father who abandoned her when she was a child. A couple of years later, Clementines mother and sister die, leaving her to her quirky Aunt Trudy.
During the course of the month, as stated above, Clementine's relationships are hashed out and it is raw and gritty. There is a lot of sex and more detail than I've seen in quite awhile. It's not erotic but more factual and definitely TMI. And then again. And then again. And then a little bit more. Basically, Clementine has also misplaced her moral compass so gear up and be prepared.
If I could take out the details of Clementine's rendezvous', I'd raise the stars by a half to a whole. For me, it blighted the brilliant ideas and writing style.
June 15, 2012
Addictive story
Clementine Prichard, renowned artist, just wants to put herself out of her misery. Giving herself a month to get her affairs in order, she counts down the days, chapter by chapter to her impending suicide. With a plot line of this nature you would expect a heavy, depressing story. What you will find instead is an interesting, realistic depiction of mental illness handled with humor and heart. Clementine is irresistible as the main character. She is wildly funny in a deeply flawed way. You know you shouldn’t be rooting for her, but you just can’t help yourself. The rest of the cast is equally well developed, including her miserable cat. While the majority of the book is entertaining, there are a few deeply moving, intensely sad scenes that are unavoidable when dealing with the reality of bi-polar disorder. Emotionally draining, these scenes lend an air of authenticity to the subject. Losing Clementine surprises in the end, circumventing the predictability you might expect in a lesser novel. I am very happy I found Clementine. Highly recommended.
Clementine Prichard, renowned artist, just wants to put herself out of her misery. Giving herself a month to get her affairs in order, she counts down the days, chapter by chapter to her impending suicide. With a plot line of this nature you would expect a heavy, depressing story. What you will find instead is an interesting, realistic depiction of mental illness handled with humor and heart. Clementine is irresistible as the main character. She is wildly funny in a deeply flawed way. You know you shouldn’t be rooting for her, but you just can’t help yourself. The rest of the cast is equally well developed, including her miserable cat. While the majority of the book is entertaining, there are a few deeply moving, intensely sad scenes that are unavoidable when dealing with the reality of bi-polar disorder. Emotionally draining, these scenes lend an air of authenticity to the subject. Losing Clementine surprises in the end, circumventing the predictability you might expect in a lesser novel. I am very happy I found Clementine. Highly recommended.
May 13, 2012
**some spoilers** This is a wonderful book about a non-so-wonderful subject. Knowing that the novel is about a young woman who has given herself 30 days to tie up the loose ends of her life before she commits suicide would lead one to believe this book is going to be sad and depressing. It had its sad moments, but the book itself was clever, witty, and humorous. Clementine has been through way too much trauma in her life for anyone to comprehend how broken she is emotionally and mentally. That being said, she has a side to her that is strong, independent, and admirable. She is a great artist to boot. The men in her life are not worthy of her time, even her ex-husband who helps her out and shows a lot of support, seems to have selfish reasons behind his efforts. I loved this book, however, I am mixed about the ending. I didn't feel it did the rest of the book justice. Not that I wanted Clementine to die, but I felt like she had really made peace with herself, her past, and her future. She wanted her death to be on HER terms, and I respected that greatly. I don't feel that she had any great epiphany in the end that would have made her not want to end her life. I know the author was trying to show us that Clementine was now "needed" by someone and therefore now had a reason to live, but, it was very flat.
The writing is wonderful and a few other reviewers commented on too much profanity and too-explicit sex scenes ... really?? It always surprises me when people are offended by that stuff. It was not over-done in this novel, and it was needed to describe where Clementine's head was and what her personality was like. All in all, this was a very good read, and I'd recommend it to others.
The writing is wonderful and a few other reviewers commented on too much profanity and too-explicit sex scenes ... really?? It always surprises me when people are offended by that stuff. It was not over-done in this novel, and it was needed to describe where Clementine's head was and what her personality was like. All in all, this was a very good read, and I'd recommend it to others.
February 25, 2014
This book could have been a 5 star but for the ending. It was all wrong.... wait..... there is no ending..... the last chapter is a disaster without any resolution. And when you go over the questions for a possible book club discussion, the last one reads, "What do you think happens after the book ends?" Ummmm.... I think the author should have given it an ending so we could discuss what we thought of that. I think the author lost her nerve and chose the cowardly and "artistic" way out....
The rest of the book is fantastic. Well written, excellent descriptions, believable characters. And each chapter as a countdown towards the end? Brilliant. I could not put it down and stayed up way too late to finish it, unlike the author, obviously....
The rest of the book is fantastic. Well written, excellent descriptions, believable characters. And each chapter as a countdown towards the end? Brilliant. I could not put it down and stayed up way too late to finish it, unlike the author, obviously....
March 12, 2012
++This review is in reference to an ARC copy of the book.
Poor Clementine! She doesn't even realize that she has surrounded herself with people who suck the life right out of her. Yes she has a mental illness, but I am sure that her life is made worse by those around her. Her ex-husband, who is remarried, is still sleeping with her, as is her therapist. Her assistant is actually her half sister, but she doesn't know this until close to the end of the book, although her sister does know. Her father and stepmother are lying and hiding secrets. An artist is "stealing" her work and ideas and claiming them as her own. Her mother kills her sister and herself.
Clementine didn't need a mental illness to be a mess. Just take a look at those she has in her environment. Clementine is very wreckless and hell bent on killing herself. You can't help but like her, I will do what I want, attitude. She doesn't give herself nearly enough credit.
I hated the ending. There was no payoff! I also thought the sex was much too graphic and the story didn't really need it to be.
I did enjoy Ream's writing and saw much potential here.
Poor Clementine! She doesn't even realize that she has surrounded herself with people who suck the life right out of her. Yes she has a mental illness, but I am sure that her life is made worse by those around her. Her ex-husband, who is remarried, is still sleeping with her, as is her therapist. Her assistant is actually her half sister, but she doesn't know this until close to the end of the book, although her sister does know. Her father and stepmother are lying and hiding secrets. An artist is "stealing" her work and ideas and claiming them as her own. Her mother kills her sister and herself.
Clementine didn't need a mental illness to be a mess. Just take a look at those she has in her environment. Clementine is very wreckless and hell bent on killing herself. You can't help but like her, I will do what I want, attitude. She doesn't give herself nearly enough credit.
I hated the ending. There was no payoff! I also thought the sex was much too graphic and the story didn't really need it to be.
I did enjoy Ream's writing and saw much potential here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2012
What I thought was going to be an overtly feminine book, turned out to be an amazingly well crafted and insightful book on what the mind goes through, when one decides to take the their own life.
At turns funny and dramatic (But not overly dramatic) "Losing Clementine" takes the reader through Clementine Pritchard last thirty days before the BIG day. Clemintine spends most of those days tying up the loose threads of her life; finishing one last piece of art, finding her missing father, making nice to her ex-husband, settling old scores and trying to give her cat to a good home.
I thoroughly enjoyed Clementine's character, her drive and manic moments, and think the average reader would too.
At turns funny and dramatic (But not overly dramatic) "Losing Clementine" takes the reader through Clementine Pritchard last thirty days before the BIG day. Clemintine spends most of those days tying up the loose threads of her life; finishing one last piece of art, finding her missing father, making nice to her ex-husband, settling old scores and trying to give her cat to a good home.
I thoroughly enjoyed Clementine's character, her drive and manic moments, and think the average reader would too.
June 21, 2012
I liked this book much more than expected! The main character, Clementine, is an artist with a lot of mental health issues. She decides to kill herself in 30 days and each chapter is a day in her last month of life. Now this is not a book I would usually read - the summary sounds way too depressing. I am not sure what possessed me to check it out from the library, but I am glad I did. I actually laughed out loud reading this book, something which is rare. I loved Clementine's sarcasm and the "who cares I'm going to be dead in 30 days" attitude she took towards trivial things. Overall it was a well written unique concept with an interesting main character. I didn't feel that emotionally invested in Clementine, but she entertained me :)
December 30, 2020
DNF, aber hier muss ich doch mal was zu schreiben, denn... Mein Gott, ist dieses Buch unsympathisch.
Also, Clementine hat schwere psychische Erkrankungen, nimmt seit Jahren starke Medikamente und hat das Gefühl, dass die sie nur abstumpfen, sie ohne aber für andere gefährlich ist. Für sie ist das nicht lebenswert und sie möchte sich umbringen, vorher das Leben aber noch einmal genießen.
So weit, so verständlich. Aber dann...? Dann startet sie diese 30 Tage, die sie sich gibt, ohne irgendwas fertig zu haben? Sie lässt Menschen hängen, die beruflich von ihr abhängig sind, schläft mit ihrem Ex und lässt ihre Katze bei dessen neuer Freundin, die dagegen allergisch ist? Wie scheiße kann ein Mensch eigentlich sein? Wenn ich sterben will, und das geplant angehe, regel ich doch alles erst und passe auf, nicht noch mehr zu zerstören, als unbedingt nötig.
(Ich hab mich auch zum Ende gespoilert und... Sagen wir, ich bin nicht überrascht.)
In den Seiten, die ich gelesen habe, bevor ich das Buch einfach ZU scheiße fand, war kein positives Statement zu rationalem Selbstmord, wie ich es mir erhofft hatte. Aber nicht einmal so widerlich kitschiger 'Die Liebe oder eine neue Perspektive im Leben kann dich vor deiner Psyche retten'-Quatsch. Dazu dann noch extrem unsympathische Charaktere und ein Plot, der, soweit ich las, eigentlich nur von Essen und Sex handelt. Und ein bescheuertes Ende, das keines ist. Also nein, bin froh, dass ich mir einen großen Teil der Mitte geschenkt habe. Vergeudete Lebenszeit.
Also, Clementine hat schwere psychische Erkrankungen, nimmt seit Jahren starke Medikamente und hat das Gefühl, dass die sie nur abstumpfen, sie ohne aber für andere gefährlich ist. Für sie ist das nicht lebenswert und sie möchte sich umbringen, vorher das Leben aber noch einmal genießen.
So weit, so verständlich. Aber dann...? Dann startet sie diese 30 Tage, die sie sich gibt, ohne irgendwas fertig zu haben? Sie lässt Menschen hängen, die beruflich von ihr abhängig sind, schläft mit ihrem Ex und lässt ihre Katze bei dessen neuer Freundin, die dagegen allergisch ist? Wie scheiße kann ein Mensch eigentlich sein? Wenn ich sterben will, und das geplant angehe, regel ich doch alles erst und passe auf, nicht noch mehr zu zerstören, als unbedingt nötig.
(Ich hab mich auch zum Ende gespoilert und... Sagen wir, ich bin nicht überrascht.)
In den Seiten, die ich gelesen habe, bevor ich das Buch einfach ZU scheiße fand, war kein positives Statement zu rationalem Selbstmord, wie ich es mir erhofft hatte. Aber nicht einmal so widerlich kitschiger 'Die Liebe oder eine neue Perspektive im Leben kann dich vor deiner Psyche retten'-Quatsch. Dazu dann noch extrem unsympathische Charaktere und ein Plot, der, soweit ich las, eigentlich nur von Essen und Sex handelt. Und ein bescheuertes Ende, das keines ist. Also nein, bin froh, dass ich mir einen großen Teil der Mitte geschenkt habe. Vergeudete Lebenszeit.
May 6, 2018
Clementine, oh Clementine. What a wonderful character. Depressed and planning her own suicide, the book counts down the days until her planned suicide. The book should have been sad but was instead sarcastically funny throughout. All of the characters were interesting and well developed with distinct personalities, including Chuckles, the cat. The humor really made the book. “I sold it to a Swedish couple,” I said. “IKEA was closed.”
August 6, 2022
Would have been significantly higher rating if the sex scenes didn’t keep pulling me out of the story. Everything else was amazing. Pacing, language, characters, ending, etc etc but then we’d get to a sex scene and bog down big time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2023
I CRIED while reading this book. The last 100 pages really hit me. It was definitely worth the read. I almost DNF’d it twice…now I’m excited to own a copy.
July 20, 2012
What would you do if you discovered that you had a terminal illness ? Would you live on pain medication for the rest of your life or would you decide to take the easy option out and commit suicide , since of course euthanasia is illegal in most states.
In Losing Clementine, we meet Clementine Pritchard she has discovered that she is dying, so one month she decides that that's it, it's time to give up so she gives herself one month to get everything sorted and of course she has researched all the appropriate ways to die without causing a scene. But before she dies , she has to find herself and discover her past and confront her demons. This month , like the book Miles Away we read as Clementine goes on a road trip of sorts and the main destination is discovering where her father is and why one day he just up and left, never to get in contact ever again. We also discover the truth behind how Clementine's mother and sister died and how one decision changed the course of Clementine's life and if she had chosen not to go to school that day, she would also be laying six feet under next to her mother and sister. In a way , I expected when I read the blurb of Losing Clementine to be a bit more sad and maybe in parts, I might have displayed tears but it was a lovely book in where one decision can always be changed, and that even if you think that you have no-one left in your life , life gives you lemons and surprises you in ways you never expected. The only downside I found is that the ending kind of leaves the reader hanging and wondering does Clementine live or will she die ? To readers, the ending is the only thing standing in my way of giving the book a 5 star.
So readers, if you are looking for an awesome read - Losing Clementine is the book for you , but if you are one of those readers who love the endings squared off , then be pre-warned that this book may leave you frustrated and grasping for more, so if this is you, then release that imagination of yours and let it go wild.
In Losing Clementine, we meet Clementine Pritchard she has discovered that she is dying, so one month she decides that that's it, it's time to give up so she gives herself one month to get everything sorted and of course she has researched all the appropriate ways to die without causing a scene. But before she dies , she has to find herself and discover her past and confront her demons. This month , like the book Miles Away we read as Clementine goes on a road trip of sorts and the main destination is discovering where her father is and why one day he just up and left, never to get in contact ever again. We also discover the truth behind how Clementine's mother and sister died and how one decision changed the course of Clementine's life and if she had chosen not to go to school that day, she would also be laying six feet under next to her mother and sister. In a way , I expected when I read the blurb of Losing Clementine to be a bit more sad and maybe in parts, I might have displayed tears but it was a lovely book in where one decision can always be changed, and that even if you think that you have no-one left in your life , life gives you lemons and surprises you in ways you never expected. The only downside I found is that the ending kind of leaves the reader hanging and wondering does Clementine live or will she die ? To readers, the ending is the only thing standing in my way of giving the book a 5 star.
So readers, if you are looking for an awesome read - Losing Clementine is the book for you , but if you are one of those readers who love the endings squared off , then be pre-warned that this book may leave you frustrated and grasping for more, so if this is you, then release that imagination of yours and let it go wild.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2012
Mental illness often drives people to behave in irrational ways. You might act impulsively, you might shut down emotionally, you might not be able to interact successfully with others. Whatever effect mental illness has on your behavior, the result is often paired with a lack of self-awareness. You simply can't recognize that your behavior isn't rational. I'd venture to say that's the case with Clementine, the the titular lady in Ashley Ream's debut novel. An eccentric artist who is more or less at the brink, Clementine gives herself thirty days to sort out her affairs and live her life before, well, ending her life. Structured as a countdown of sorts, each chapter moves us one day closer to the end. Clementine's behavior throughout this novel is certainly not rational or self-aware: she travels to Mexico to procure illegal tranquilizers with which to do the deed, she sleeps with her ex-husband and her therapist, flushes her medication, commits vandalism, and cancels a showing at a gallery at the last minute.
Basically, she's a jerk. I'd argue that it's okay for a character to be a jerk if there's a purpose to it and I get that someone who's decided to commit suicide is prone to reckless behavior. That's all very realistic, but there's no point to it here. The character and her mental illness weren't complex enough, and there wasn't enough evolution in the plot for me to feel like there was anything else going on besides: she's acting like a jerk. I don't feel any empathy for Clementine. I wasn't hoping she would get help or move towards an epiphany moment, I wasn't rooting for her to succeed in her suicidal goals. I just didn't care what happened to her, and that was the biggest thing holding this book back. Ream is fairly witty and her prose is fine. I just didn't want to engage with Clementine.
Basically, she's a jerk. I'd argue that it's okay for a character to be a jerk if there's a purpose to it and I get that someone who's decided to commit suicide is prone to reckless behavior. That's all very realistic, but there's no point to it here. The character and her mental illness weren't complex enough, and there wasn't enough evolution in the plot for me to feel like there was anything else going on besides: she's acting like a jerk. I don't feel any empathy for Clementine. I wasn't hoping she would get help or move towards an epiphany moment, I wasn't rooting for her to succeed in her suicidal goals. I just didn't care what happened to her, and that was the biggest thing holding this book back. Ream is fairly witty and her prose is fine. I just didn't want to engage with Clementine.
January 16, 2016
4 1/2 Stars!
Absolutely brilliant! A big huge two thumbs up for new Author Ashley Ream (and not just because she has the same name as my daughter! LOL) This basically was a book about a woman getting all her effects in order so she could commit suicide in 30 days. I loved how the chapters were labeled by how many days she had left. This kind of made it seem more real to me. As the days were counting down, as it was getting closer to the end of her time - I was getting more and more nervous.
Great character development! I loved Clementine, I wanted to hate her but just couldn't. She was so selfish, sarcastic, rude and just so hilarious. And I absolutely loved the cat, Chuckles! I had never seen an author do such a great job with a cat's personality before. The Author made the cat a main character in the book.
This book was Hilarious! I was literally giggling on every page. Until I got to the last 5th of the book then it got incredibly sad. I was in tears the whole time. I even had to put the book down a few times just to ... hmm reflect? think? maybe just rest my emotions. It amazes me how a book can be both Funny and so sad at the same time. I almost felt guilty for laughing at Clementine's depression, but she was just so dang funny.
Then - get ready for the absolute shock near the end! I gasped out loud.
The only thing I did not like about this - it had a NON-ENDING!!!!!! Why oh why? The perfect book with a non-ending! No really, its just me - I hate non-endings! So I had to take away .5 of a star as punishment.
This book does have a couple graphic sex scenes and some swearing so probably not good for younger readers.
Absolutely brilliant! A big huge two thumbs up for new Author Ashley Ream (and not just because she has the same name as my daughter! LOL) This basically was a book about a woman getting all her effects in order so she could commit suicide in 30 days. I loved how the chapters were labeled by how many days she had left. This kind of made it seem more real to me. As the days were counting down, as it was getting closer to the end of her time - I was getting more and more nervous.
Great character development! I loved Clementine, I wanted to hate her but just couldn't. She was so selfish, sarcastic, rude and just so hilarious. And I absolutely loved the cat, Chuckles! I had never seen an author do such a great job with a cat's personality before. The Author made the cat a main character in the book.
This book was Hilarious! I was literally giggling on every page. Until I got to the last 5th of the book then it got incredibly sad. I was in tears the whole time. I even had to put the book down a few times just to ... hmm reflect? think? maybe just rest my emotions. It amazes me how a book can be both Funny and so sad at the same time. I almost felt guilty for laughing at Clementine's depression, but she was just so dang funny.
Then - get ready for the absolute shock near the end! I gasped out loud.
The only thing I did not like about this - it had a NON-ENDING!!!!!! Why oh why? The perfect book with a non-ending! No really, its just me - I hate non-endings! So I had to take away .5 of a star as punishment.
This book does have a couple graphic sex scenes and some swearing so probably not good for younger readers.
April 2, 2012
Clementine is an accomplished artist who has spent her adult life struggling with bipolar disorder. When the book opens, she's decided to give up. She's given herself thirty days to get her affairs in order and then she plans to kill herself. We follow her last thirty days and see Clementine prepare herself for death, and in that preparation hope to see her find something to live for.
Writing
Amazing. I was especially impressed because this is the author's debut novel. The book is at times both hilarious and heartbreaking. I love the character of Clementine, and, although I don't suffer from bipolar disorder, I could completely empathize with her depression. I think the author did an amazing job of writing a believable fictional experience with mental illness. There wasn't a moment in the book where Clementine's character wasn't real for me.
Entertainment Value
Again, I love this book. I loved Clementine and I very much identified with her character. I also thought her relationship with her ex-husband was portrayed realistically and with a balanced view of both sides - someone who has a mental illness and someone who is in a long-term relationship with someone who is mentally ill. I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed every minute of the story.
Overall
I can't recommend it highly enough. I think it has a really broad appeal as well: I'd recommend it to those who like humor, chick lit, women's lit, YA, and "issue" books. It really spans a broad range of interests. It takes the heaviness of the subject matter seriously, but it has enough humor that it's not depressing.
Writing
Amazing. I was especially impressed because this is the author's debut novel. The book is at times both hilarious and heartbreaking. I love the character of Clementine, and, although I don't suffer from bipolar disorder, I could completely empathize with her depression. I think the author did an amazing job of writing a believable fictional experience with mental illness. There wasn't a moment in the book where Clementine's character wasn't real for me.
Entertainment Value
Again, I love this book. I loved Clementine and I very much identified with her character. I also thought her relationship with her ex-husband was portrayed realistically and with a balanced view of both sides - someone who has a mental illness and someone who is in a long-term relationship with someone who is mentally ill. I was hooked from the beginning and enjoyed every minute of the story.
Overall
I can't recommend it highly enough. I think it has a really broad appeal as well: I'd recommend it to those who like humor, chick lit, women's lit, YA, and "issue" books. It really spans a broad range of interests. It takes the heaviness of the subject matter seriously, but it has enough humor that it's not depressing.
May 26, 2012
Thanks to Jen at Book Club Girl for providing me with a copy of this. Check out this link for Ashley Ream's discussion of Losing Clementine. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/book-clu......
This novel is about a young woman artist who suffered a terrible family tragedy when she was a child. As a result she is mentally ill and unable to cope with life unless she is taking a boat load of medication. Clementine decides to end her life and the story is told in the days leading up to her planned suicide. At first I really liked Clementine's snarky, sarcastic voice. As the novel went on though I grew to dislike her selfishness. She has no problem sleeping with her ex husband who is currently in another relationship or her therapist. Richard the ex puppy dog husband really grated on my nerves. The worst thing about the book was that the plot was pointless. I think we were meant to go on some emotional journey with Clementine while she sexed and ate towards death. Part of the problem was Clementine had the emotional depth of a puddle. To make matters worse the ending was so abrupt. We finally reach the countdown of day one, Clementine's self appointed date with death and the author pulls a plot point in that was never even discussed in the novel and abruptly ends the book. The whole novel was a hot mess for me. While I did not enjoy the novel I always find Book Girls chats with the authors insightful so check out her podcast even if you chose to skip the book.
This novel is about a young woman artist who suffered a terrible family tragedy when she was a child. As a result she is mentally ill and unable to cope with life unless she is taking a boat load of medication. Clementine decides to end her life and the story is told in the days leading up to her planned suicide. At first I really liked Clementine's snarky, sarcastic voice. As the novel went on though I grew to dislike her selfishness. She has no problem sleeping with her ex husband who is currently in another relationship or her therapist. Richard the ex puppy dog husband really grated on my nerves. The worst thing about the book was that the plot was pointless. I think we were meant to go on some emotional journey with Clementine while she sexed and ate towards death. Part of the problem was Clementine had the emotional depth of a puddle. To make matters worse the ending was so abrupt. We finally reach the countdown of day one, Clementine's self appointed date with death and the author pulls a plot point in that was never even discussed in the novel and abruptly ends the book. The whole novel was a hot mess for me. While I did not enjoy the novel I always find Book Girls chats with the authors insightful so check out her podcast even if you chose to skip the book.
April 30, 2012
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: A Novel. 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 comes about 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 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.
Some say suicide is the ultimate act of selfishness, but faced with the 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.
October 7, 2012
Ashley Ream treats her readers to the end days of famous artist Clementine Pritchard. From the early murder-suicide of her mother and younger sister to a failed marriage with wanna-be white knight Richard, Clementine has struggled with depression. While this mania has helped her become a renowned artist, it has also left her desperate for an end to the cycle of highs and lows. Opting to check out of the world itself, Clementine sets a month deadline to complete a final piece (or two), and set her affairs in order. During these 30 days she fires her staff and assistants, buys illegal drugs in Tijuana, trashes an art exhibit, vandalizes her own works, and seeks a new home for her sole feline companion. It is her desire to find her father that puts a massive wrinkle in her plans, forcing her to choose between unknown ties and ending it all. While I applauded the artistic bent of the book - and its discussion of the art world - it is the unresolved ending that prevents this novel from achieving full greatness. I feel the artist missed a chance to complete her masterpiece, instead settling for a piece that appeases the critics.
April 5, 2013
If I could give Losing Clementine more than 5 stars, I would! Author, Ashley Ream, brings you into the last 30 days of Clementine Pritchard's life. Ream makes reading effortless and she has such a wonderful way with words. Her attention to details awakens your senses making you see, feel, taste and experience Clementine's experiences. Ream's description of food makes your mouth water! Her description of despair and the dark side of mental illness brings you down and Clementine's highs lift you up.
I enjoyed the humor her character's displayed and especially Clementine's sarcasm! The ending definitely pulled at my heart strings, which doesn't happen often to me when reading. And although I liked the ending I was left wanting more! I didn't want the story to end, i wanted Day 31! A great read!
I enjoyed the humor her character's displayed and especially Clementine's sarcasm! The ending definitely pulled at my heart strings, which doesn't happen often to me when reading. And although I liked the ending I was left wanting more! I didn't want the story to end, i wanted Day 31! A great read!
March 17, 2012
Very well written novel with many surprises, so expect to be captured by the story, the well crafted descriptions and the unique tone. I mean, c'mon, it's a countdown to a young woman's very well planned suicide. So you'd think sad, dark, depressing, right? But it actually has humor and heart and you'll come to care very much for Clementine. As the deadline (and that's pretty literal in this case)nears, the weight of the situation grows and turns heavier. Much of the story deals with mental illness and the havoc it wrecks on families and generations. (Plus you get acquainted with Chuckles the cat. As with the other characters, he's so real in these pages, you'll hear him howling, hissing, and fussing. He's worth the price of admission to one great book!)
March 29, 2012
Revised review - Just a disclaimer. I won this copy not from Goodreads as originally stated but from Hartford Books Examiner. Sorry Hartford :*( I liked this book a lot. It wasn't particularly dark, though obviously dealing with a dark subject. Clementine has decided to kill herself and has thirty days to get her affairs in order. This includes finding a home for her cat, which is arguably as crazy as Clementine is, and tracking down her estranged father. I empathized with Clementine. She believes she's made the most sensible decision to make sure that she doesn't hurt anyone. The reader is drawn along on her journey and as her days draw to an end, learns more of Clementine's past and what has driven this decision.
August 16, 2016
I'm giving this book four stars even though it pissed me off. For the first half of the book I didn't really like Clementine, the main character, which made it hard to care about her. What gives the novel four stars is the compelling way it's written.
Ms. Ream is an extremely talented storyteller. She pulled me through the tale until I couldn't put it down. Until I began to feel angry because in the end, I was forced to care about a woman determined to end her life. I was mad at Clementine. The novel made me feel, which for me is the greatest compliment anyone can give to a writer.
Losing Clementine is not a lighthearted read. It's a powerful one, about relationships and how deeply they can affect everything, right down to personality.
Ms. Ream is an extremely talented storyteller. She pulled me through the tale until I couldn't put it down. Until I began to feel angry because in the end, I was forced to care about a woman determined to end her life. I was mad at Clementine. The novel made me feel, which for me is the greatest compliment anyone can give to a writer.
Losing Clementine is not a lighthearted read. It's a powerful one, about relationships and how deeply they can affect everything, right down to personality.
March 26, 2012
I just finished reading Losing Clementine. Even though the topic is depression's "black days" and Clementine decides that in 30 days she'll commit suicide, I found the book humorous and thought-provoking. She threw away most of her possessions, picked out her own casket, and stopped being nice to people she never liked anyway. As the book moves along and the days count down, she makes all the preparations necessary to end her life.
Ashley Ream did a good job of taking me into the depths of depression where the body is in a stroke-like situation. I liked the uniqueness of this book, and the ending gave me hope for Clementine and others who suffer from depression.
Ashley Ream did a good job of taking me into the depths of depression where the body is in a stroke-like situation. I liked the uniqueness of this book, and the ending gave me hope for Clementine and others who suffer from depression.
April 28, 2012
Interesting and easier read than I expected, given the topic. Didn't expect the ending, felt a bit cheated.
May 7, 2012
I really wanted to give this one 5 stars, but one unbelievable plot twist in this otherwise excellent story forced the 4-star rating. The main character rocks.
March 16, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. For a book about suicide and mental illness, it really had lot of humor and was very easy to read.
June 27, 2021
Clementine ist eine erfolgreiche Malerin, jedoch macht sie das nicht glücklich und sie beließt kurzerhand sich das Leben zu nehmen. Ihre Antidepressiva spült sie in der Toilette runter und organisiert ihr Ableben innerhalb von 30 Tagen. Denn es gibt ja auch noch einige Dinge, die sie vorher regeln möchte. Und gerade ihre letzten Tage möchte sie verbringen, wie sie es will und nicht so, wie andere ihr dies vorschreiben. Leider ist das nicht so leicht und nach 30 Tagen ist dann alles anders…
Erst einmal etwas zum Cover. Ehrlich gesagt, finde ich es nicht schön. Klar, die Farben harmonieren super zusammen, aber da hätte man viel mehr machen können. Ich finde es absolut nicht ansprechend. Deshalb habe ich es mir nur gekauft, weil der Klappentext sich unfassbar gut anhört. Der Einstieg in die Geschichte fiel mir total leicht und ich hatte überhaupt keine Probleme.
Warum sich Clementine das Leben nehmen möchte, erfahren wir erst spät. Sie ist nicht darauf fixiert, sondern eher darauf, dass alles geregelt ist. Zu Beginn hat mich das echt gestört, da ich natürlich wissen wollte, wieso sie sich dazu entscheidet, ihrem Leben ein Ende zu setzen. Was ich aber toll finde ist, dass dies seinen Hintergrund hat. Warum? Das müsst ihr selbst lesen.
,,30 Tage und ein ganzes Leben‘‘ ist kein typischer Roman. Das Thema das hier aufgegriffen wird, ist eines, was jedem im Alltag begegnen könnte. Daher ist die Geschichte nicht fiktiv oder irgendwie konstruiert.
Zu Beginn konnte ich Clementine echt nicht einschätzen. Sie war mir nicht sympathisch, aber anstrengend fand ich sie auch nicht. Clementine sagt was sie denkt, lässt sich nicht ihren Mund verbieten und wirkt manchmal arrogant. Doch mit jeder Seite, die ich gelesen habe, stellte ich mir die Frage, ob ich nicht genauso reagieren würde wie sie. Wenn ich noch 30 Tage zu Leben habe, würde ich wahrscheinlich auch alles sagen, was ich denke. Das kann glaube ich zu Beginn etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig sein, aber lasst euch davon bitte nicht abschrecken. Das wird besser! Clementine hat es zwischendurch mit ihrer Art auch geschafft, mich zum Schmunzeln zu bringen.
Der Schreibstil von Ashley Ream hat mir gut gefallen. Sie schreibt locker, leicht und flüssig. Ein wenig Sarkasmus ist hier auch vorhanden, was mir wahnsinnig gut gefallen hat. Die Autorin hat hier viele Emotionen sehr gut rüber gebracht. Zwischendurch war es auch Nachdenklich und Berührend.
Mit Clementine hat sie einen Charakter erschaffen, der nicht ,,normal‘‘ ist. Ich liebe Clementine, ihre Art und vor allem ihren Kater. Auch die anderen Charaktere wurden sehr gut dargestellt. Alle Charaktere konnte ich mir bildlich vorstellen und den ein oder anderen kennt man ja auch aus dem normalen Leben. Ich kann euch das Buch nur empfehlen, ich habe es sehr gerne gelesen!
Erst einmal etwas zum Cover. Ehrlich gesagt, finde ich es nicht schön. Klar, die Farben harmonieren super zusammen, aber da hätte man viel mehr machen können. Ich finde es absolut nicht ansprechend. Deshalb habe ich es mir nur gekauft, weil der Klappentext sich unfassbar gut anhört. Der Einstieg in die Geschichte fiel mir total leicht und ich hatte überhaupt keine Probleme.
Warum sich Clementine das Leben nehmen möchte, erfahren wir erst spät. Sie ist nicht darauf fixiert, sondern eher darauf, dass alles geregelt ist. Zu Beginn hat mich das echt gestört, da ich natürlich wissen wollte, wieso sie sich dazu entscheidet, ihrem Leben ein Ende zu setzen. Was ich aber toll finde ist, dass dies seinen Hintergrund hat. Warum? Das müsst ihr selbst lesen.
,,30 Tage und ein ganzes Leben‘‘ ist kein typischer Roman. Das Thema das hier aufgegriffen wird, ist eines, was jedem im Alltag begegnen könnte. Daher ist die Geschichte nicht fiktiv oder irgendwie konstruiert.
Zu Beginn konnte ich Clementine echt nicht einschätzen. Sie war mir nicht sympathisch, aber anstrengend fand ich sie auch nicht. Clementine sagt was sie denkt, lässt sich nicht ihren Mund verbieten und wirkt manchmal arrogant. Doch mit jeder Seite, die ich gelesen habe, stellte ich mir die Frage, ob ich nicht genauso reagieren würde wie sie. Wenn ich noch 30 Tage zu Leben habe, würde ich wahrscheinlich auch alles sagen, was ich denke. Das kann glaube ich zu Beginn etwas gewöhnungsbedürftig sein, aber lasst euch davon bitte nicht abschrecken. Das wird besser! Clementine hat es zwischendurch mit ihrer Art auch geschafft, mich zum Schmunzeln zu bringen.
Der Schreibstil von Ashley Ream hat mir gut gefallen. Sie schreibt locker, leicht und flüssig. Ein wenig Sarkasmus ist hier auch vorhanden, was mir wahnsinnig gut gefallen hat. Die Autorin hat hier viele Emotionen sehr gut rüber gebracht. Zwischendurch war es auch Nachdenklich und Berührend.
Mit Clementine hat sie einen Charakter erschaffen, der nicht ,,normal‘‘ ist. Ich liebe Clementine, ihre Art und vor allem ihren Kater. Auch die anderen Charaktere wurden sehr gut dargestellt. Alle Charaktere konnte ich mir bildlich vorstellen und den ein oder anderen kennt man ja auch aus dem normalen Leben. Ich kann euch das Buch nur empfehlen, ich habe es sehr gerne gelesen!
September 3, 2023
love the premise of this book & the free sample of chapter one was good enough for me to purchase the book, which I now regret. Possible spoilers ahead: The author spends a ridiculous amount of time discussing the food Clementine eats & I understand it goes with the story but it's overly detailed & those scenes didn't need to be that long. In contrast, there are other scenes that are entirely too short & left me feeling like I completely missed things. A character's death comes out of the blue & is never really discussed to the point where I went back in my reading because I thought I missed something... I didn't. The author just dumps things on you & doesn't elaborate. There's a drawn out scene where she ends up creating art with her assistant but it doesn't make sense why or what it is. The feud with Clementine & another artist comes to a head but nothing really comes of it except a frenemies situation which doesn't ring true. In fact, the way the author portrays artists & artists with mental health issues seems like they personally dislike them. The end is completely open & not wrapped up at all, but it's in a way that felt like a cop out. She spent so much time writing about food & that I think she got tired of the actual story & just stopping writing. You can't have a main character sell off everything, give away her cat & car, write a letter to the police saying to look for her body & then have her spend the rest of her last night with someone she's mad at. Honestly, Ms. Ream should write food reviews & not novels. I have no idea how this book has so many good reviews... probably friends of the author or people who got ARCs but didn't leave truthful reviews or disclose that fact. I wish I could get a refund.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2020
When we meet Clementine Pritchard, she is throwing teacups out the window of her second-floor apartment, having decided to rid herself of all earthly possessions. After all, she's going to kill herself in 30 days, so she needs to start planning. On her list of things to do: find a home for Chuckles, her persnickety Persian cat; get the medicine she needs in Tijuana; hunt down the father who abandoned her as a child; pick out a funeral plot and casket; let her ex-husband know she's "terminally ill;" and finish one last painting. Clementine has made her living as in artist in L.A., but she has also experienced devastating lows and crazy highs that she no longer wants to fight.
Though this could easily be a depressing book, the quick pacing and smart-ass voice of the narrator make it enjoyable, and from one day to the next, you never know what Clementine will do. She considers herself damaged and a possible danger to others, but she's also feisty enough to "edit" one of her own paintings in a museum, punch a security guard, and climb a wire fence marked No Trespassing. The dark days are not glossed over, either, but throughout the entire book Clementine never stops working on her art.
I also loved the other characters. Chuckles is hilarious, and cat-lovers will recognize all of his self-centered arrogance and love for his human. Richard, the ex-husband who has always tried to "save" Clementine, and her young assistant Jenny, are also great characters.
This book has everything: humor, heartbreak, love, danger, and the inability to stop turning pages. You will love Clementine as much as I do!
Though this could easily be a depressing book, the quick pacing and smart-ass voice of the narrator make it enjoyable, and from one day to the next, you never know what Clementine will do. She considers herself damaged and a possible danger to others, but she's also feisty enough to "edit" one of her own paintings in a museum, punch a security guard, and climb a wire fence marked No Trespassing. The dark days are not glossed over, either, but throughout the entire book Clementine never stops working on her art.
I also loved the other characters. Chuckles is hilarious, and cat-lovers will recognize all of his self-centered arrogance and love for his human. Richard, the ex-husband who has always tried to "save" Clementine, and her young assistant Jenny, are also great characters.
This book has everything: humor, heartbreak, love, danger, and the inability to stop turning pages. You will love Clementine as much as I do!
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