Finding the Here

by R.B. Clague

Finding the Here is an adult literary novel about the disintegration and reconstruction of a human being. Told through the eyes of the main protagonist, John Brown, it is an exploration of modern existence and the spiritual consequences of our behaviour. Set in contemporary Melbourne, it follows John as he embarks on an incredible journey to find himself, along the way meeting a colourful cast of interesting and even historical characters.

229 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2016

About the author

R.B Clague was born 29 August 1964, and raised in Melbourne, Victoria. He attended Heidelberg Technical School and studied social sciences at Monash University.

R.B's employment in a variety of fields throughout his career has included health care, child protection, forensic psychiatry, juvenile Justice, community outreach and youth residential work with several non-Government Agencies.

R.B. spent seven years, employed in various states and Territories around Australia as a probation and parole Officer, including three years in Central Australia, where he worked withl Aboriginal people on remote desert communities.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended Finding The Here to me and even though not the kind of story I usually read I gave it a go.
Took two sessions to finish and it would have been one if not for reality intervening.
The only words I can use to describe this are compelling, thought provoking and real.
If you are on the fence trying to decide if you want to read it or not then take my advice, hop down from the fence and start reading it.

[Janice Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strange, mystical story of one man's search for spiritual and emotional wholeness. It contains some sex and graphic violence, but only as needful to the story. The insights gained by the main character as he loses everything but still retains an essential goodness, then begins the journey to healing, might prove useful to others.

[Cameron Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding the Here is the enthralling tale of John Brown, a man with a mysterious origin who wakes up one day to find himself in the midst of a very sudden and significant existential crisis. After suffering a very traumatic ordeal John finds his life turned upside down and embarks upon a journey of self-discovery that sees him meeting many a strange and fascinating character as some other worldly power acts as his guide.

Finding the Here caught my interest from page one and retained it for the duration of the novel, stirring my curiosity to discover who John his, his story and the mysterious task that lies before him. While the writing isn't anything spectacular the story and the characters more than make up for it. My only gripe with the novel being that I felt it was too short and had the potential to go down a number of philosophical and sociological avenues, but didn't. Missing out on what I felt was a great opportunity to enrich the story. Never the less, it is what it is and what it is is a great short novel about life, the choices we are presented with and the decisions we make. All in all I give it 4/5 stars, a very entertaining read.

[Gail Truax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facing Fear

Mr. Clague walks you through an abyss of fear, anger and disgust, and when you begin to think you're going to sink to the bottom, he throws you a lifeline and the world rights itself. Well worth the read.