Ream’s debut kicks off with a brash introduction to brazen artist Clementine Pritchard, who’s fired both her shrink/lover and her well-meaning assistant for the same reason: she’s decided to kill herself in 30 days. Depressed and at odds with her antipsychotic meds, Clementine has no immediate family and no one to care for (except Chuckles the cat). Structured as a countdown, unfolding chapters deliver Clementine’s biting humor and comically methodical approach to undertaking the tidiest suicide possible, including final errands like meeting prospective caretakers for Chuckles and a quick trip to Tijuana for her poison of choice. The narrator’s abrasive attitude toward her ex-husband (she tells him that she’s terminally ill, for starters) and assistant both thwart and illuminate her character. But beyond Clementine’s fresh and witty voice is a genuine survey of the complex emotions that accompany those affected by depression. Ream doesn’t let Clementine shy away from her poor decisions, but she doesn’t let her get away with them either. This novel, spiked with dark humor (“you only die once, right?”) is an entertaining and moody whirlwind. Whether readers love or hate Clementine, they won’t soon forget her. Agent: Barbara Poelle, the Irene Goodman Literary Agency. (Mar.)
Soon to be a major motion picture!
""[Losing Clementine] is poignant and insightful and also surprisingly funny, thanks to its nasty, charming narrator."" -Gillian Flynn, New York Times bestselling author of Gone Girl
A smart, sharp and moving debut-by turns hilarious and tragic- Losing Clementine follows a famous artist as she gives herself one month to get her messy affairs in order before turning out the lights on her own life.
World-renowned artist and sharp-tongued wit Clementine Pritchard is done. Years of therapy and medication have gifted her with little more than sweaty palms and gastric upset. Now, after flushing away a cabinet full of prescriptions, she gives herself thirty days to tie up loose ends (finish one final painting, make nice with her ex-husband, find a home for her cat) and enjoy one last month of art-world parties, road trips and outrageous acts.
What Clementine doesn't expect is to uncover secrets surrounding the decades-old tragedy that befell her mother and sister. With the date of her carefully planned demise fast approaching, can she dive back into the messy business of family and life? Does she want to?
Soon to be a major motion picture!
""[Losing Clementine] is poignant and insightful and also surprisingly funny, thanks to its nasty, charming narrator."" -Gillian Flynn, New York Times bestselling author of Gone Girl
A smart, sharp and moving debut-by turns hilarious and tragic- Losing Clementine follows a famous artist as she gives herself one month to get her messy affairs in order before turning out the lights on her own life.
World-renowned artist and sharp-tongued wit Clementine Pritchard is done. Years of therapy and medication have gifted her with little more than sweaty palms and gastric upset. Now, after flushing away a cabinet full of prescriptions, she gives herself thirty days to tie up loose ends (finish one final painting, make nice with her ex-husband, find a home for her cat) and enjoy one last month of art-world parties, road trips and outrageous acts.
What Clementine doesn't expect is to uncover secrets surrounding the decades-old tragedy that befell her mother and sister. With the date of her carefully planned demise fast approaching, can she dive back into the messy business of family and life? Does she want to?
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
BN ID: | 2940173147363 |
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Publisher: | HarperCollins |
Publication date: | 06/23/2020 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |